Vardy double takes Foxes closer to title

Jamie Vardy's second-half double helped Leicester City go 10 points clear at the top of the Premier League as they enjoyed a 2-0 win away to Sunderland on Sunday.

Claudio Ranieri's side are closing in on the English title after a fifth consecutive win put the pressure back on second-placed Tottenham Hotspur, who later defeated Manchester United 3-0.

But regardless of what the chasing pack do, Leicester will be crowned champions for the first time in their history if they win three of their remaining five league games.

Vardy broke the deadlock in the 66th minute, sprinting onto a long, lofted through ball from Danny Drinkwater to outpace his marker Younes Kaboul before finding the bottom corner from a narrow angle past keeper Vito Mannone.

The England striker sealed the win in stoppage time, taking a pass from substitute Demarai Gray to run beyond the trailing defence before rounding Mannone to slot into an empty net.

After the match, an emotional Leicester manager Claudio Ranieri hailed his side's "solid" victory. After Vardy put the result beyond doubt, it appeared Ranieri was crying tears of joy.

"We knew it would be tough, it is normal because Sunderland are fighting to be safe, but I am very happy for the three points," Ranieri said. "Our performance was solid, of course they had the chance to draw but we had three or four chances to finish it," the Italian added.

The new Foxes hero's Sunday double saw Vardy grab his first goals in open play for more than two months and a delighted Ranieri said: "It is important for Jamie Vardy to score because he made some good assists in the last game but he is our goalscorer and he needed to score again and I am very happy with him."

Nevertheless Ranieri tried to keep a lid on the hype surrounding Leicester by insisting: "The fans must continue to dream but we must continue to be concentrated and focused.

"Now we have two tough matches at home, the Champions League is on the table and we have to keep it. We didn't achieve anything yet. You make this job for the emotion you feel but it is difficult for me to say what kind of emotion."

Later in the day, Dele Alli, Toby Alderweireld and Erik Lamela struck in six second-half minutes as Tottenham swamped Manchester United to keep Leicester in sight.