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Ranieri lauds Leicester's spirit with title in reach: 'We play with our heart'

Reuters

Entering Sunday, there were questions surrounding whether or not Leicester City could cope without Jamie Vardy, who was banned from taking the pitch after being sent off against West Ham United one week earlier. What would the Foxes look like without their top scorer who had yet to miss a single Premier League fixture this season?

Ninety minutes of phenomenal football provided an emphatic answer.

Related: 10 photos of Leicester fans losing their minds as Foxes close in on historic title

Leicester's 4-0 victory over Swansea City at King Power Stadium showed just how cohesive the Foxes are, dispelling any suggestions that the club relies too heavily on Vardy, or any player for that matter. Even Leonardo Ulloa, called upon to replace the English forward, scored two goals, much to Claudio Ranieri's delight.

"It's important because everybody wanted to see our answer without Jamie Vardy and that was a fantastic answer in my opinion," Ranieri said, according to Daniel Taylor of the Guardian. "We played well, very concentrated, and in a different way because without Jamie we had to change something. And we made a fantastic match. I'm not more optimistic because of this result, but I am optimistic.

"I am positive, I know it's not easy because in my mind Tottenham (Hotspur) will win all their four matches and we will need to get five points. It's not easy but why be nervous? We have enjoyed all the season. We are having a fantastic season and we have achieved a lot already.

"Now there are only three matches left that we know are very important for our history and, for this reason, we will give everything. If it happens, it's OK. If it doesn't, congratulations to Tottenham. Tottenham have very good players but my players are also fantastic. We play with our heart and it's difficult to beat someone who plays with heart and soul."

Should Tottenham stumble at home to West Bromwich Albion on Monday, it will leave Leicester between five and seven points clear atop the Premier League standings, meaning it's mathematically possible the Foxes will complete their fairy tale next week.

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