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Leicester logo
Premier League
May 6, 2017 at 3pm UK
 
Watford logo

3-0

Ndidi (38'), Mahrez (58'), Albrighton (92')
FT(HT: 1-0)

Live Commentary: Leicester City 3-0 Watford - as it happened

Relive Sports Mole's live coverage of Leicester City's 3-0 victory over Watford in the Premier League.
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Leicester City have moved into ninth place in the Premier League table with a 3-0 victory over Watford.

Wilfred Ndidi gave the Foxes the lead in the first half before Riyad Mahrez added a second just before the hour mark.

Watford had their own chances, with Kasper Schmeichel pulling off several fine saves, but in added-on time, Leicester capped a fine win with a third through Marc Albrighton.

Read below to see how the game unfolded at the King Power Stadium.


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Hello, and welcome to Sports Mole's live coverage of the match in the Premier League between Leicester City and Watford.

At one stage this season, it appeared that Leicester would head into their final few fixtures of the season needing results in order to remain in the Premier League but with three games left, they can afford to relax. That won't be the message which Craig Shakespeare will be trying to get over to his players but it would require the most unlikeliest set of results to prevent the Foxes from taking their place in the top flight next season.

The same can be said of Watford, who possess the same amount of points as this afternoon's hosts but having played a game less. There has been speculation regarding the future of Walter Mazzarri but while the Hornets hierarchy have bigger ambitions, it has to be considered job done for his first campaign in charge. That said, their game in hand throws open the chance of a top-10 finish and that has to be the aim from now until May 21.

LATEST! Before we crack on with the team news, let's bring you an update on the match involving Manchester City and Crystal Palace, who had been hoping to move ahead of both Leicester and Watford. However, that won't be the case, with City taking a 3-0 lead into the final quarter-of-an-hour. Click here to follow the action from the Etihad Stadium.

Right then, team news. Let's see who Shakespeare and Mazzarri have selecting in their starting lineups...

LEICESTER CITY XI: Schmeichel, Simpson, Benalouane, Huth, Fuchs, Mahrez, Ndidi, Drinkwater, Albrighton, Okazaki, Vardy

LEICESTER CITY SUBSTITUTES: Chilwell, Musa, King, Amartey, Slimani, Zieler, Gray

WATFORD XI: Gomes; Mariappa, Prödl, Kabasele; Amrabat, Doucoure, Cleverley, Capoue, Janmaat; Niang, Okaka

WATFORD SUBSTITUTES: Pantilimon, Deeney, Success, Behrami, Zuniga, Eleftheriou, Pereira

Let's start with Leicester, with Shakespeare opting to select an unchanged starting lineup for the match in the East Midlands. After last week's win over West Bromwich Albion, it was a simple decision for the Foxes boss but it means that the likes of Demarai Gray and Islam Slimani are left having to make do with a place among the substitutes.

As for Watford, Mazzarri has made two alterations after watching his team suffer a 1-0 defeat at the hands of Liverpool. Christian Kabasele has been brought in for the injured Miguel Britos, while Stefano Okaka has been preferred to Troy Deeney. That will only increase speculation regarding his future...

RESULT! The full-time whistle has gone at the Etihad Stadium and Manchester City have run out 5-0 winners against Crystal Palace, who will now be looking over their shoulder to Hull City and Swansea City. The relegation rivals still have to go out there and get a result, but things are getting nervy for Sam Allardyce. As for City, they move ahead of Liverpool and into third place due to their superior goal difference. Click here to read our on-the-whistle report.

HEAD TO HEAD! Today's match represents the 63rd time in which these two teams have faced each other in a Premier League fixture, with Leicester claiming 26 wins in comparison to 19 victories for Watford. The clubs have bee regular foes in recent years with games taking place in both the top flight and Championship but it is Leicester who hold the advantage over the seven encounters with four triumphs and a draw being recorded.

However, the reverse fixture at Vicarage Road saw Watford come out on top by a 2-1 scoreline with each of the three goals all coming in the opening 15 minutes. To take a look back at that battle, click here.

Despite his inexperience, it would be considered a surprise should Leicester not give Shakespeare the managerial reins on a full-time basis but the longer the club wait to hold discussions with him, you have to wonder whether they are contemplating going in a different direction. Of course, that would be regarded as a bold move when Shakespeare has won seven of his 12 matches in charge and ensured that his side gave a good account of themselves in the Champions League quarter-finals against Atletico Madrid. A top-10 finish would probably get the job done but the Foxes still have some tough fixtures to come. A trip to Manchester City awaits them next weekend before they play host to Tottenham Hotspur and Bournemouth to close the season. It places more importance on today's match because on paper, it represents their best opportunity to claim three points.

One player who we thought may get an opportunity this afternoon was Demarai Gray. It was reported earlier this week that it is make-or-break for the winger who hasn't really been given the chance to kick on since his move from Birmingham City. The 20-year-old has made 26 appearances in the Premier League this season, but just nine of those have come from the starting lineup. He was also limited to just 140 minutes of action since April 4 so he hasn't exactly been given game time of late. It could be a big moment for the winger should he be introduced during the second half.

Before we get onto our prediction, let's discuss the exclusion of Deeney. Some will suggest that it is justified, with Deeney going around 325 minutes without a goal, but others will see it as another sign that he will be leaving the club at the end of the season. Unsurprisingly, a number of clubs have been linked with his signature and that may include Leicester, who allegedly had a £25m bid rejected last summer.

PREDICTION! Despite their contrasting form, we are predicting a close match this afternoon. In M'Baye Niang and Stefano Okaka, Watford have two players who can produce the unexpected but for Leicester, Jamie Vardy has been in fine form of late with three goals in his last four outings. We expect him to add to that tally in a 2-1 triumph for the home side.

It is time for the two teams to make their way out at the King Power Stadium. Kickoff is coming right up...

Leicester get us underway.

SHOT! Watford have wasted little time in getting onto the front foot. After being teed up by Niang, Janmaat curled a good effort wide of the post. Positive start from the Hornets.

It has been a solid response from the home side but after earning the first corner of the match, they were unable to fashion a chance. Warming up nicely, this one.

SHOT! Leicester have come out firing since conceding that early chance to Janmaat. It is Drinkwater's turn to get a shot on goal but his volley from distance is well off target.

There have been no goals in the 3pm kickoffs so far. There are important games effecting the bottom half of the table so we will try to keep you up-to-date as and when we can. We will surely have more goals than we have last weekend...

SHOT! Back come Watford through Cleverley but after receiving the ball from Niang, he was unable to hit the target from just outside of the penalty area.

We haven't seen a lot of Vardy so far. Watford are doing a good job of sitting deep and crowding him out. Mahrez is very much on the periphery of the game as well, with Leicester's biggest threat coming through Albrighton.

WOODWORK! We have seen a bit more of Mahrez and Vardy now. The pair almost combine to give Leicester the lead with Mahrez's free kick to Vardy being volleyed against the post via the aid of a deflection.

Neither side are playing for a draw but I suppose to a certain extent, it suits both teams. It would guarantee their survival, unless Swansea score about 20 goals in their final three matches. Still early doors, however, and as I say, both teams are showing ambition.

CHANCE! Leicester almost break the deadlock thanks to an own goal from Kabasele. Fuchs delivered a cross into the middle and it took fast reactions from Gomes to stop his teammate from finding the net.

Still no goals in any of the 3pm kickoffs. It is going to be one of those afternoons, isn't it?

CHANCE! Okaka will wonder how he hasn't scored. The ball fell to the Watford inside the penalty area but he could not find a way past Schmeichel from close range. That ought to put an extra million onto the goalkeeper's valuation.

GOAL FLASH! We have a goal and it has come from the most unlikeliest of sources! Stoke lead at Bournemouth thanks to an own goal from Lys Mousset - the Cherries striker who is making his first league start!

SHOT! Mazzarri is reportedly under pressure but his side are doing him proud this afternoon. They carve open another chance through Cleverley, who sees a well-struck attempt well saved by Schmeichel. The Hornets have been the better team so far.

GOAL! Leicester City 1-0 Watford (Ndidi)

As I was saying...

Leicester take the lead and it is another stunner from January signing Ndidi. A cross was only half cleared to the midfielder who sent a stunning strike into the top corner of Gomes's net.


WOODWORK! Leicester fancy this now. Some individual brilliance from Mahrez leads to him getting a shot away but his deflected effort strikes the crossbar before rebounding clear. That would have been harsh on Watford.

HALF TIME: Leicester City 1-0 Watford

The half-time whistle goes at the King Power Stadium and Ndidi's long-range strike is the difference between the two sides. Watford will claim that they have had the better of proceedings, but Leicester - as well as scoring a goal - have also hit the woodwork twice.

Watford get us back underway.

CHANCE! With Vardy's finishing ability, he will be disappointed not to have put Leicester two goals ahead here. The forward latched onto Okazaki's pass but after closing in on goal, his shot was too close to Gomes, who pulls off a very fine save.

CHANCE! I tell you what, this has been a really good game. I just don't know how Watford haven't scored yet. Amrabat provides his first positive contribution with a cross to the far post where Okaka is waiting but he heads over the bar when really he should find the back of the net.

Not much to report from the last few minutes but Watford definitely fancy this. When you see them play like this, you have to wonder whether other managers would be capable of getting much out of them. Mazzarri seems to have the support of his players, even if he hasn't necessarily got it from the board.

GOAL FLASH! Is this the goal that makes Burnley mathematically safe? Sam Vokes has given the Clarets the lead over West Brom, who are closing in on their sixth game without a goal.

GOAL! Leicester City 2-0 Watford (Mahrez)

Sorry Watford fans - I will stop praising your team now...

Mahrez makes it two for Leicester and it is a sensational goal. After winning the ball on the flank, he ran inside, beating two players, before finding the back of the net from an acute angle. That may be enough to give the Foxes - and Shakespeare - another win.


SUBSTITUTION! We have moved past the hour mark so that means it is time for Okazaki to be replaced. Islam Slimani is the player being introduced.

SUBSTITUTIONS! A change for both sides now. For Leicester, Andy King has replaced Danny Drinkwater while for Watford, Troy Deeney has replaced Capoue.

CHANCE! There is not much else that Vardy can do to score a goal this afternoon. Slimani slips the ball through to his teammate but he is once again denied by Gomes, who is producing a brilliant display.

CHANCE! Watford look there for the taking now. Albrighton and Mahrez combine to create an opportunity for Slimani but he fires the ball over the crossbar from inside the box.

SHOT! The chances keep coming for Leicester. On this occasion, Fuchs curled a free kick marginally over Gomes's crossbar.

SUBSTITUTION! Safe to say that Mazzarri is still going for this. Juan Camilo Zuniga is on for Kabasele.

SAVES! I would go as far as saying that Schmeichel is irreplaceable. After initially saving a 20-yard strike from Niang, he reacts quickly to prevent Cleverley from scoring the rebound from a similar distance.

SHOT! I don't watch Watford on a game-by-game basis but surely Cleverley has not had this many shots all season. The midfielder again goes close with a long-range strike which is tipped behind by Schmeichel.

SUBSTITUTION! Time for Demarai Gray to showcase his talents. He has replaced Mahrez.

We are well into the final 10 minutes and there isn't a lot coming back from Watford now. They deserve credit for this performance but ultimately, they have not taken their opportunities.

UPDATE! We have gotten a bit lazy with the updates. Apologies. The shock scoreline comes from the KCOM Stadium with Sunderland currently leading Hull City! That could be a hugely significant scoreline for both Hull and Swansea City, who play Everton later today.

SHOT! Zuniga isn't known for his goals and he doesn't net here, with his speculative effort clearing Schmeichel's crossbar.

There will be three minutes of added-on time.

GOAL! Leicester City 3-0 Watford (Albrighton)

I thought we were going to coast through to full time but Leicester had other ideas. A rapid break-away ended Vardy supplying a pass to Albrighton and the midfielder was able to produce the finish off the post. This is some win for the Foxes.

FULL TIME: Leicester City 3-0 Watford

The full-time whistle has gone at the King Power Stadium and Leicester have ran out convincing 3-0 winners. As I have already stated, the scoreline is harsh on Watford - who had their chances - but equally, Leicester could have won by a wider margin. They now sit in ninth place in the table.

That will be all from Sports Mole for this match. Thank you for joining us this afternoon and we hope that you can stick around for the match involving Swansea City and Everton. Goodbye for now.

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Kasper Schmeichel in action during the Premier League game between Crystal Palace and Leicester City on April 15, 2017
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