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Leicester logo
Premier League | Gameweek 12
Nov 9, 2019 at 5.30pm UK
 
Arsenal logo

2-0

Vardy (68'), Maddison (75')
FT(HT: 0-0)

Jonny Evans refuses to rule out Leicester title challenge

Jonny Evans refuses to rule out Leicester title challenge
© Reuters
The Foxes have won six of their last seven Premier League games.

Jonny Evans insists Leicester can only be judged after Christmas as he remained cautious over their title challenge.

The Foxes moved up to second place in the Premier League with a 2-0 victory over Arsenal on Saturday – a sixth win in their last seven top-flight games.

The surprise 2016 champions ended the weekend nine points clear of fifth-placed Sheffield United, but Northern Ireland defender Evans refused to get drawn into title talk.

"I don't think you'll be able to judge that until after Christmas when we're getting into it," the 31-year-old said when asked about Leicester's hopes.

"We know how seasons can finish. It'll be tough. We need a big squad to do that, and all firing in the right directions.

"We've shown we can battle games out but we've just got to do what we're doing and see where it takes us.

"It's still really early on in the season. If you look at it there's still teams like Sheffield United sitting fifth. So we know it's going to be a long season and every team can beat everyone.

"We're in good confidence at the moment but the next period, especially being Christmas, will really test everyone's squad."

Jamie Vardy scored his 11th of the season before setting up James Maddison to score a game-clinching second 15 minutes from time.

Vardy was one of five members of Saturday's squad to have won their shock title in three years ago, but Evans refused to compare the teams.

"I think it's hard," said the former Manchester United and West Brom man, who joined the Foxes in 2018. "What they did that year was incredible. I suppose it's a compliment, really, to be compared to that team.

"I think teams disrespected Leicester that season, in terms of probably not really realising how good they were, and kept being caught short.

"After that, teams tried to become aware that they played on the counter-attack and not over-commit.

"I'm sure teams realise we are a good side and in every game I think we've played well, given everyone a test."

The result left Arsenal sixth, with one win in their last six Premier League games, and nine points behind Leicester.

But striker Alexandre Lacazette defended under-fire manager Unai Emery.

"Last season when we were unbeaten in 20 games in a row nobody said anything about the coach or manager," the Frenchman said.

"We miss confidence and we need the international break.

"I hope we are going to come back well. We want to be top four, of course.

"Now we are nine points behind Chelsea and Leicester and it is going to be hard, but everything is possible in football."

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Tables header RHS
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Arsenal36265588286083
2Manchester CityMan City35257387335482
3Liverpool36239481384378
4Aston Villa36207973532067
5Tottenham HotspurSpurs351861169581160
6Newcastle UnitedNewcastle351751378562256
7Chelsea351591170591154
8Manchester UnitedMan Utd35166135255-354
9West Ham UnitedWest Ham361310135670-1449
10Bournemouth36139145263-1148
11Brighton & Hove AlbionBrighton351211125357-447
12Wolverhampton WanderersWolves36137164960-1146
13Fulham36128165155-444
14Crystal Palace361110154957-843
15Everton36129153849-1137
16Brentford3699185260-836
17Nottingham ForestNott'm Forest3689194563-1829
18Luton TownLuton3668224978-2926
19Burnley3659223974-3524
RSheffield UnitedSheff Utd36372635100-6516


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