Jamie Vardy: scores again

Danny Drinkwater’s first top-flight goal and second-half strikes by Jamie Vardy and Leonardo Ulloa sent Leicester City back to the top of the Barclays Premier League table in a convincing 3-0 win over Stoke City.

Leicester went into Saturday’s contest at the King Power Stadium level on points with Arsenal, who play Chelsea on Sunday, and second only on goal difference.

And Claudio Ranieri’s side, who had won just one of their past five BPL matches, were ahead at half-time when Drinkwater showed great technique to fire low into the bottom left-hand corner, albeit with the help of a Marc Wilson deflection.

The game was put beyond all doubt in the 66th minute when Vardy brilliantly rounded Jack Butland to score his first goal since 14 December, before substitute Ulloa added gloss in the closing stages.

It was a deserved three points for Leicester, who are refusing to wilt in their unlikely tilt for the title and have succeeded in putting pressure on Arsenal, who are three points back.

Manchester City are now second on the table, thanks to a brace by striker Sergio Aguero, who had to cancel another brace by Enner Valencia for West Ham

After Valencia had opened the scoring just 53 seconds in at the Boleyn Ground, Aguero promptly equalised from the penalty spot.

Valencia struck again early in the second half and it looked like that effort would prove decisive until Aguero bagged a close-range leveller with nine minutes remaining for his fifth goal in four league matches.

City have only won one of their last eight away matches in the league and trail leaders Leicester City by three points. West Ham, who are unbeaten in nine at home in the league, stay sixth, with Aguero’s leveller denying them the chance to move above Manchester United.

Tottenham won at Crystal Palace, coming from a goal down to wrap up a dramatic victory.

The hosts had taken the lead through a Jan Vertonghen own goal to breach an opponents’ backline for the first time in six Barclays Premier League matches, but could not hold on to earn what would have been a first win since 19 December.

Harry Kane started the comeback by netting for the fifth time in seven league matches with a second-half header.

And Dele Ali scored a remarkable goal.

Other scores: Watford 2, Newcastle 1.
Manchester United 0 Southampton 1