Ranieri speaks on Leicester City’s title challenge

Leicester City’s victory at Selhurst Park maintained their lead advantage over second-placed Tottenham to five points, increasing the pressure on Spurs, Arsenal as the chase for the Premier league title draws nearer.

But should they miss out on the title, Ranieri is adamant that his side will have enjoyed an exceptional season, reiterating his satisfaction that they are close to qualifying for the Champions League.

“Believe me, I’m very happy with this season,” said the 64-year-old, whose team won with Riyad Mahrez’s 17th goal of the season, scored midway through the first half.

“I remember at the start of the season… I have not forgotten.

“The goal was to save the team from relegation to the Championship and now everybody is speaking about us. Not only in England, all over the world. Everyone is pushing behind us and that is a great energy that we feel.

“If in the end someone is better than us, we still had a fantastic achievement.

“We have to be focused. Sometimes I’ve said we are at the last turn, and now we are on the final, home straight. Now I want to see my horses, how they run.

“We have to fight every match. We are in the Europa League and we are very close to achieving the Champions League.

“There are seven matches to go at the end. It’s not easy for us for now. We are Leicester. We aren’t a team like Manchester United, Manchester City, and Chelsea. For them five points or eight points clear, it would be finished.”