LEICESTER CITY RUNNING AWAY WITH THE EPL ?

Watford 0-1 Leicester: Foxes open up five-point lead at the top after Riyad Mahrez smashes in winner to sink Hornets at Vicarage Road

• Riyad Mahrez smashed Leicester in front after 56 minutes with a left-foot shot which flew past Heurelho Gomes
• Eleven of Mahrez's 15 Premier League goals for Leicester this season have come away from King Power Stadium
• Odion Ighalo had a chance to equalise with a close-range header but Kasper Schmeichel gathered comfortably  
• Watford have now failed to keep a clean sheet in their last 14 matches in all competitions against the Foxes
• Leicester City have won 31 points away from home this term in the Premier League - five more than any other team

Riyad Mahrez has adorned this most fantastical season with so many moments of ornate ability it scarcely surprises when another rolls along.

We have become accustomed to the stepovers that send defenders’ heads spinning, the dragbacks that dump opponents on the floor. Even his divine volleyed assist in midweek brought the response: it’s Mahrez, what do we expect?

But this was something else. This was another level, a goal of great beauty and great importance.

Mahrez delivered exquisitely when it mattered most, making sure Leicester took full advantage of the draw between their two closest rivals from earlier in the day. As others around them are faltering, they keep on performing.

They now lead Tottenham by five points, Arsenal by eight. There are just nine games to go. This incredible story is on course for a fitting final chapter.

Leicester’s vociferous supporters celebrated the final whistle with glee and belief. Claudio Ranieri and his players strode onto the pitch in manner that illustrated their mentality. This is their title to lose. They intend to go on and win it.

The goal came in the 56th minute. Christian Fuchs sent over a cross that was only partially cleared by Jose Holebas, fatally it turned out. Mahrez, on the edge of Watford’s area, touch one touch to control and knew what he would do.

MATCH FACTS, PLAYER RATINGS, PREMIER LEAGUE TABLE AND MATCH ZONE FROM VICARAGE ROAD

Watford (4-4-2):Gomes 6.5; Nyom 6 (Anya 81’), Prodl 5, Ake 7, Hoelbas 6; Amrabat 7, Suarez 6, Sidwell 6, Capoue 6.5 (Oulare 88’); Deeney 6.5, Ighalo 6.5

Booked: Amrabat

Subs not used: Pantilimon, Behrami, Guediora, Abdi, Paredes

Manager: Quique Sanchez Flores 6

Leicester (4-4-2): Schmeichel 6.5; Simpson 6.5, Morgan 7, Huth 7, Fuchs 6.5; Mahrez 8 (Amartey 85’), Kante 7.5, Drinkwater 7, Albrighton 6.5 (Schlupp 46’ 7); Okazaki 6 (King 46’ 6.5), Vardy 7

Booked: Fuchs

Subs not used: Schwarzer, Gray, Ulloa, Wasilewski

Manager: Claudio Ranieri 7.5

MoM: Mahrez

Referee: Jon Moss 7