Leicester City underline title credentials with win at Manchester City

Veteran defender Robert Huth bagged a brace as pacesetters Leicester City won 3-1 at second placed Manchester City. Huth broke the deadlock in the third minute from a Riyad Mahrez free-kick and after Mahrez scored later in the first half, the German centre-back headed in his second goal from a corner.

Claudio Ranieri has led Leicester City to the top of the Premier League in his first season in charge. Reuters/Jason Cairnduff

Sergio Aguero replied for City with a glancing header in the 87th minute - his seventh goal in five games - but it was only a consolation on a rain-lashed day at the Etihad Stadium.

It was the most eye-catching win to date of Leicester’s 12-month rise from the bottom to the top of the table. It means Claudio Ranieri's side are five points clear of Tottenham Hotspur who moved into second following their 1-0 win over Watford at White Hart Lane.

With Manchester City playing at home for the first time since Pep Guardiola was announced as next season’s successor to manager Manuel Pellegrini, there was an assumption the home players would put the high-flying visitors in their place.

But with the result, any doubts about Leicester’s title credentials were firmly put to rest.

Ranieri has consistently played down his side's chances. But after seeing his team outclass their nearest rivals to move six points clear at the league summit, he admitted that they are contenders. "There are a lot of super teams now. We will try. Why not?" the Italian told BT Sport.

"The effort is a lot. Now it is important the players recover because we spent a lot of energy. Sometimes we run more than a bull. We play every match as though it is the last match.

"Now we are very, very confident and it is important to think about Arsenal. We are ready to fight there."

Pellegrini remained upbeat despite a week in which his side fell six points off the pace and he was effectively sacked. "No complaints. Leicester played better than us," said the Chilean. "There are 36 points to play for. Nothing is finished. It is important for us to recover our players and I am continuing not giving up because we got an unexpected defeat, but we must continue."