Premier League leaders Leicester City travelled to Watford on Saturday afternoon knowing that a win would see them stretch their lead at the top of the table to five points.
Both sides had half-chances in an open first period, but the half-time break arrived at 0-0.
Leicester made the breakthrough just before the hour, however, when Riyad Mahrez scored his 15th Premier League goal of the season with a strike into the top corner.
Read how it all unfolded in Sports Mole's minute-by-minute live commentary of the action below.
Afternoon all! Sports Mole's live Premier League coverage continues from Vicarage Road as Watford welcome Leicester City. Both teams will enter the match off the back of disappointing mid-week results, but a point at home to West Brom on Tuesday was enough to keep Leicester atop the table. Watford, meanwhile, lost 1-0 at Manchester United one day later in a match that they really should have won.
HEAD2HEAD! In terms of the recent meetings between the two teams – Leicester have won three of their last five clashes, with Watford also recording one victory and the further fixture finishing level. Earlier this season, Leicester recorded a 2-1 victory at the King Power and the Foxes were also 3-0 winners when they last travelled to this stadium in November 2013.
There have been 26 goals scored in the last six matches between these two teams in this very stadium and Watford have failed to keep a clean sheet in their last 13 games in all competitions against Leicester. That points to an open and expansive match, which could translate into a dull 0-0!
Right, without further ado, let me bring you up-to-speed with the all-important team news. Just how many changes have both managers made from their mid-week games? Let's find out shall we...
TEAMS:
WATFORD: Gomes; Nyom, Britos, Prodl, Ake; Capoue, Watson, Suarez; Amrabat, Deeney; Ighalo
LEICESTER: Schmeichel; Simpson, Morgan, Huth, Fuchs; Mahrez, Kante, Drinkwater, Albrighton; Okazaki, Vardy
Three changes to the Watford team this afternoon, with Nathan Ake, Mario Suarez and Nordin Amrabat all being handed spots in the XI. Troy Deeney and Odion Ighalo keep their places in the final third, with Valon Behrami, Jose Holebas and Almen Abdi the three dropping to the bench.
As for Leicester, the big team news is the return of N'Golo Kante, who was deemed 50/50 for this match. The French midfielder has replaced Andy King in the middle of the park, but otherwise it is the same team that started against West Brom, with Shinji Okazaki joining Jamie Vardy in the final third.
So there we have it. The two teams are in and we are now just under 40 minutes from kickoff on this cold, late afternoon in London. I shall speak about the league leaders Leicester a little bit later, but let's start with Watford, who will enter the match in 12th position in the table having claimed 37 points from their 28 matches on their return to the Premier League this season.
It has been a strong campaign to date, but Quique Sanchez Flores's team have only won one of their last five in the Premier League and have actually failed to score in four of their last top-flight games – the latest of which came away to Manchester United on Wednesday. The Hornets put in an impressive performance at Old Trafford, but were undone by a late Juan Mata free kick.
Quite how Odion Ighalo did not find the back of the net on Wednesday is a question that only he can answer and the blank means that Watford have now failed to score in six of their last eight Premier League matches, which will be a worry for Flores. In fact, only Aston Villa, Newcastle United and Swansea City have scored fewer league goals than the Hornets this season.
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Watford have been largely impressive down the other end, however, having only chipped 29 goals in their 28 matches, which is actually a better defensive record than the likes of Manchester City and West Ham United. Troy Deeney and Ighalo have gone off the boil a touch in 2016, but surely it is only a matter of time before the pair, who were excellent at the start of the season, start to fire once again.
As it stands, 13 points separate Watford from the bottom three, while they are just six points off the top seven, which is an impressive achievement at this stage. Next weekend, Flores's team will travel to either Arsenal or Hull City in the quarter-finals of the FA Cup, before welcoming Stoke City for their next Premier League match on March 19. All their focus is on this one first though!
PREM FT SCORES: Tottenham 2-2 Arsenal, Chelsea 1-1 Stoke, Everton 2-3 West Ham, Man City 4-0 Villa, Newcastle 1-3 Bournemouth, Southampton 1-1 Sunderland, Swansea 1-0 Norwich
As for Leicester, Claudio Ranieri's team are still chasing down what would be the most incredible title win in the Premier League era. As it stands, the Foxes are two points clear of second-place Tottenham Hotspur and five clear of third-place Arsenal, who played out a 2-2 draw in the North London derby this afternoon. Man City, meanwhile, are seven points off the top in fourth position.
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Sixteen victories have arrived in Leicester's 28 league games this season, while they have only been beaten on three occasions, which is comfortably the best record in the league. They are also the highest scorers (51) and in Jamie Vardy and Riyad Mahrez, have two of the best players in the division this season. It is still difficult to believe that Leicester are in charge of the title race and they would have enjoyed Wednesday night's results, which saw their main rivals all drop points.
There would have been disappointment on Tuesday when Leicester could only draw 2-2 at home to West Brom having just edged past Norwich last weekend, but Arsenal, Tottenham and Man City all lost during the week, which kept Leicester top of the table. Their challenge was supposed to end following a tough run of fixtures, but they have answered most of the questions posed.
Indeed, on paper, Leicester's upcoming fixture list is kind. There are no easy games in the Premier League, but they face Newcastle United, Crystal Palace, Southampton and Sunderland in their next four and will fancy their chances of putting together a strong run of results. Their last three league games this season, however, are Manchester United (A), Everton (H) and Chelsea (A). Crikey!
Not only have Leicester won 10 and lost just two of their last 17 away games in the Premier League, they have scored in 16 of their last 18 on the road. The fact that they have the best away record in the division this season is credit to Ranieri and the style of football that he has been prepared to play. It started under Nigel Pearson and Ranieri is now riding this incredible train, which will not stop!
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PREDICTION! I am actually going to back a draw this afternoon. Leicester have the chance to move five points clear at the top, but Watford played very well against Man United last time out and I like the look of their XI here. I am going to back an entertaining 1-1 draw at Vicarage Road.
Jose Holebas has been drafted into the Watford XI ahead of kickoff, with Miguel Britos picking up an injury in the warm-up. Not exactly ideal, but Holebas has plenty of experience!
KICKOFF! Here we go then - the pre-match handshakes have been undertaken and the flags have been exchanged. Time for the football! It is the home side that get things underway in London...
... half-chance for the home side inside the first minute as Holebas strikes one towards goal, but Schmeichel manages to collect despite the deflection off Huth. What a start that would have been!
Vardy's pace takes him away from the Watford defence and indeed around the Watford goalkeeper, but the striker's final touch is just too strong and Ake is on hand to make the block. The early signs are that we will have plenty of chances in this match and the pitch is looking beautiful here.
SAVE! Super save from Gomes as the Watford stopper gets down to keep out a strike from Fuchs and it just would not fall for Okazaki under pressure from Ake!
Well, it has certainly been a lively start to this match, with both teams moving the ball quickly in the final third of the field. You just get the feeling that the first goal - if there indeed is one - could be vital. Vardy continues to look dangerous in the Watford box, but Ake has been stuck to him so far!
Just a reminder that a win for Leicester this afternoon would take them five points clear at the top of the table, while victory for Watford would move them above Everton into 11th and just one spot behind Chelsea. It is the visitors that are in control of the possession with eight minutes on the clock.
Not an awful lot from Ighalo and Deeney in the opening 10 minutes, but Watford are moving the ball quicker in the Leicester half and Nyom has ventured forward on a number of occasions here.
CROSSBAR! Ake hangs in the air to meet a set piece inside the Leicester box, but his header drops off the top of the crossbar! Almost a wonderful opening goal for Watford!
It has been a physical opening 13 minutes to this match...
SNAPSHOT: Here's #watfordfc skipper @T_Deeney in early action as he battles with @LCFC's Danny Drinkwater. pic.twitter.com/87d5ED9LIY — Watford FC (@WatfordFC) March 5, 2016
Half-chance for Leicester as Vardy's pace takes him away from Watford's back four, but the striker's effort from a wide angle was always moving wide of the post. He has the confidence to try it from anywhere! Down the other end, Ighalo and Huth clash, but the referee waves play on.
It does appear to be a straight 4-4-2 formation for Watford here - Capoue and Amrabat on the wings and Watson and Suarez inside. Deeney is also playing right up alongside Ighalo in the final third. Well, 17 minutes on the clock and it has been very even, with Leicester maybe just shading it!
Deep, too deep from Watson as his free kick helps Leicester avoid what could have been a dangerous situation from a set piece. Better possession from the home side in the last few minutes, but they are currently struggling to feed the ball into Deeney and Ighalo in the final third here.
CHANCE! Wonderful chance for the away side to take the lead as Vardy takes the ball away from Prodl before feeding Mahrez, who returns into the striker, but his effort is just wide!
You just get the feeling that the first goal - if there indeed is one - will be important in this match. The home supporters are becoming a little bit frustrated as another attacking more breaks down.
Deeney might be struggling for goals at the moment, but he is such a wonderful outlet in the final third. The striker's ability to keep possession under pressure is excellent and plays such a key role in Watford's work in the final third. Still goalless as this first period continues to gather pace.
CHANCE! Suddenly Watford have a chance as Ighalo's low cross from the right squeezes through to Deeney, who puts his foot through the ball, but it is straight at Schmeichel!
BOOKING! Amrabat (Watford) is booked for simulation!
Dante's challenge on Watson almost runs through for Vardy, but Gomes was quick off his line to claim as both teams continue to clash in the middle of the park. Watford have started to look the more threatening in the final third, but Leicester are so, so dangerous on the counter-attack here.
Drinkwater looks to send Mahrez away with a super through ball, but Holebas is on hand to make the clearance. That threat from Leicester - in behind Watford's defence - is always there.
Watford have the chance to threaten from a free kick in a dangerous position, but Watson's delivery is too strong and Leicester have a goal kick. Still goalless with 35 minutes on the clock here.
It has not quite happened for Mahrez in this first period and another loose touch allows Watford to break up another counter-attack. Both teams have had opportunities to break the deadlock, but neither has really done enough to deserve to be ahead as we close on the half-time break.
Not much of an atmosphere inside the stadium at the moment, which is a reflection of matters on the field. It has been entertaining in parts, but a little bit too stop-start for long periods as well!
Albrighton squeezes a low cross into Okazaki and the striker does well to win a corner under pressure from Gomes. A goal at this stage of the contest could be absolutely vital.
Morgan gets up to meet a cross from Simpson, but his header is straight at Gomes.
Deeney finds a yard of space outside the Leicester box after a touch-down from Ighalo, but his strike was always rising over the crossbar. That sums up the opening 44 minutes of this match.
Super goalkeeping from Schmeichel as the Dane comes out to head clear after a poor piece of defending from Morgan, who tried and failed to nudge the ball back to his stopper!
HALF-TIME: Watford 0-0 Leicester
So there we have it. The referee brings the first period to a close with the two teams level at 0-0. Both sides have had half-chances to make the breakthrough, but in truth, it has not been the best of 45 minutes! The best chance fell to Vardy, but the striker fired a low Mahrez cross wide of the post!
STATISTICS! Watford have shaded the possession with 56%, while they have had five attempts - one of which was on target. Leicester, meanwhile, hit the target with three of their five attempts in the first period. Just the one yellow to report - Amrabat for simulation inside the Leicester box.
BENCH WATCH! Watford boss Flores has a number of options on his bench this evening, with the likes of Anya, Abdi and Behrami all available. Leicester, meanwhile, have options in the shape of Amartey, Gray, King, Ulloa and Schlupp. Plenty of talent on both benches at Vicarage Road!
MATCH PIC!
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RESTART! Here we go then - both sets of players re-join us on the pitch for the second period. Will we have a winner at Vicarage Road? Let's find out. It is the visitors that resume the action here...
... LEICESTER SUBS! King and Schlupp replace Okazaki and Albrighton.
Interesting double change for Leicester at the break, with Ranieri clearly not too pleased with what he saw in that first 45 minutes. No changes for Watford, but Flores will want more from his wide midfield players in the second period. Let's hope for a bit more goal action at both ends!
SAVE! Nice work from Suarez as the Watford midfielder uses his power to drive towards the Leicester box, but his final effort takes a deflection and is saved by Schmeichel.
Plenty happening in the middle of the park at the moment as both teams battle for possession, but both defences are pretty comfortable. You sense that one goal might well be enough to win this!
In truth, a point apiece would not be the worst result for either side in this match and that is playing a part at the moment. Both teams want to win - of course - but they are just holding back in fear of conceding from a breakaway goal. Still goalless with 54 minutes on the clock at Vicarage Road.
Drinkwater finds a yard of space outside the Watford box, but under pressure, the midfielder fires wide of the post. Leicester have dominated the possession since the half-time interval here.
GOAL! Watford 0-1 Leicester (Mahrez)
Oh what a super goal that is! Mahrez sends Leicester into the lead in the 56th minute as the attacker finds a yard of space inside the Watford box before placing one into the top corner!
SAVE! Wonderful chance for Leicester to score a second as Huth rises to meet a cross from Kante, but Gomes is on hand to make an excellent point-blank save!
Fifteen goals and 11 assists for Mahrez in the Premier League this season. On fire!
Vardy breaks through for Leicester and looks to set a low cross into the path of a teammate, but Ake does brilliantly to make first contact. Watford just cannot keep hold of the ball here!
Amrabat does well to spin and strike in one movement inside the Leicester box, but his effort was always straight at Schmeichel. We now have a proper Premier League game on our hands!
WATFORD SUB! Abdi replaces Suarez in the Watford midfield.
What does that goal do to the top of the #BPL...? pic.twitter.com/IQDtoXoi0a — Premier League (@premierleague) March 5, 2016
As it stands, Leicester are five points clear of second-place Tottenham and eight clear of third-place Arsenal, which is just incredible at this stage of the season. Still more than 20 minutes of this clash remaining, however, and you sense that chances are there for Watford.
Mahrez again attempts to pick out the top corner with a curling effort, but Gomes is on hand to make the save. Both managers still have substitutions to use in the final 20 minutes here.
Half-chance for Huth once again as the German defender meets a free kick from King, but his effort was always moving wide of the post. Watford are just struggling in the final third at the moment.
BOOKING! Fuchs (Leicester) is booked for a late challenge on Amrabat.
Watford continue to gain free kicks in advanced positions, but their quality from the dead ball has been very poor tonight. Little under 15 minutes remaining and Leicester still lead in London.
Leicester break away on the counter and Kante feeds the ball into Mahrez, but the goal-scorer is just crowded out at the vital moment and Watford escape what would have been a killer second.
CHANCE! Deeney sets up Ighalo inside the Leicester box and the striker has a free header, but places his effort straight into the arms of Schmeichel! What a chance there!
WATFORD SUB! Anya replaces Nyom for the home team.
You still get the feeling that there is another goal in this match as Watford continue to put the pressure on. Abdi has a go from outside the box, but his effort was always moving wide of the post. Tottenham, Arsenal and Manchester City fans will all be hoping for a late equaliser here!
LEICESTER SUB! Amartey replaces Mahrez for Leicester.
Schlupp finds space down the Watford right and eventually has a go from a wide angle, but his effort was always moving wide of the post. The final whistle moves ever closer here!
WATFORD SUB! Capoue is replaced by Oulare in Watford's final change.
Poor from Ake as he fires into the stands! More time wasted!
Four additional minutes to be played at Vicarage Road...
... no immediate danger for Leicester as the visitors continue to pump the ball down-field.
BOOKING! Morgan (Leicester) is booked for a late challenge on Ighalo.
Watson delivers a free kick into the Leicester box, but again it is too strong and that is a serious let-off for Leicester at this stage of the match. That is not the first time from Watson either!
Leicester have not been at their free-flowing best here - far from it - but they are closing on a massive three points. Watford cannot get out of their own half at the moment here.
Simpson fires wide of the Watford goal as the clock ticks on here.
FULL-TIME: Watford 0-1 Leicester
And this remarkable story continues! Leicester win at Watford to move five points clear of second-place Tottenham in the Premier League table and eight clear of third-place Arsenal. Nine games left and Leicester are in charge! Thanks for joining Sports Mole for the action once again. Until next time!
