Leaping Leicester hit dizzy heights with manager Ranieri in charge

With almost a third of the fixtures completed in the English Premier League, Leicester City, under the management of Italian Claudio Ranieri, maintained their sparkling performances and currently lie in third place – a mere point behind joint leaders Manchester City and Arsenal.

The Foxes’ highest-ever finish in the top flight was second place back in season 1928-29. On that occasion, Leicester ended their campaign a point behind champions Sheffield Wednesday.

On the other hand, champions Chelsea persisted with their erratic results and are just three points above the drop zone.

Manager Jose Mourinho has denied that he was feeling the strain of Chelsea’s disastrous start as the0-1 defeat at Stoke City marked the Blues’ worst opening to a top-flight campaign.

Leicester’s only loss this season arrived in September at home to Arsenal 2-5. On the away front this season, they won three and drew three.

Ranieri remarked that the spirit within his squad and the way the players fight for each other have seen the Foxes again come in for praise for their showing against Watford last weekend.

That featured a particular moment where Jamie Vardy scored from a penalty to continue his prolific scoring run.

Defeat at the Britannia Stadium probably dashed Chelsea’s dreams of a successful league title defence and now even the possibility of a Champions League qualifying place looks remote.

With 12 games played, Chelsea have lost an unprecedented seven. The last time Chelsea lost that much in their first 12 games was back in 1978.

Manchester City have already qualified for the knock-out stages of the Champions League but Arsenal face an uphill struggle to join them.

Manuel Pellegrini hopes Sergio Aguero returns next week after City dropped points at Aston Villa.

Although Manchester City saw Wilfried Bony suffer a hamstring injury at Villa Park, they should have a few key players back to bolster their squad after the international break.

At Arsenal, Mesut Ozil has be-come the first ever player to provide a goal assist in six consecutive Premier League matches.

The Germany international arrived in North London boasting a reputation as an assist king following his contributions in Spain with former club Real Madrid.

While his lack of goals may frustrate the average supporter, his ability to create chances for his team-mates often goes unnoticed and there is no doubt he possesses a special gift in this regard.

Manchester United boss Louis van Gaal has revealed his plans to field more youngsters as the season progresses.

Jesse Lingard admitted scoring his first Manchester United goal against West Brom on Saturday was a feeling of “pure happiness.”

The United manager says it is much too early to talk about the winger being called up by England as he wants him to prove his consistency first.

Juergen Klopp admitted he was left feeling ‘pretty alone’ as he witnessed an Anfield exodus after suffering his first defeat as Reds manager on Sunday afternoon as Crystal Palace won 2-1.

Tottenham Hotspur boss Mauricio Pochettino feels his side should have won the north London derby at Arsenal last week but is nonetheless ‘proud’ of his players’ performance after a congested run of fixtures.

At Everton, Roberto Martinez insists he has no concerns about his young players being targeted by other clubs in the next transfer window.

The Everton fans have taken to social networks to have their say on striker Gerard Deulofeu’s display against West Ham in the 1-1 draw last Saturday.

The Spain winger had a good game and played an important role in helping Everton pick up a point.

UK soccer fixtures

League One
Barnsley-Port Vale
Blackpool-Doncaster
Bradford-Crewe
Burton Albion-Millwall - pp
Chesterfield-Oldham
Colchester-Coventry
Gillingham-Bury
Peterborough-Fleetwood
Rochdale-Wigan - 13:30
Sheffield Utd-Southend
Shrewsbury-Walsall - pp
Swindon-Scunthorpe

League Two
Accrington-Newport
Bristol Rovers-Carlisle
Exeter-Crawley
Luton-Barnet
Morecambe-Dagenham - pp
Northampton-Mansfield
Oxford-Cambridge
Wycombe-Notts County - pp
Yeovil-Stevenage
York-Plymouth Argyle

Tomorrow:
Hartlepool-Leyton Orient - 13:15
Portsmouth-Wimbledon - 15:30