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Leicester logo
Premier League | Gameweek 12
Nov 9, 2019 at 5.30pm UK
 
Arsenal logo

2-0

Vardy (68'), Maddison (75')
FT(HT: 0-0)

Jonny Evans refuses to rule out Leicester title challenge

Jonny Evans refuses to rule out Leicester title challenge
© Reuters
The Foxes have won six of their last seven Premier League games.

Jonny Evans insists Leicester can only be judged after Christmas as he remained cautious over their title challenge.

The Foxes moved up to second place in the Premier League with a 2-0 victory over Arsenal on Saturday – a sixth win in their last seven top-flight games.

The surprise 2016 champions ended the weekend nine points clear of fifth-placed Sheffield United, but Northern Ireland defender Evans refused to get drawn into title talk.

"I don't think you'll be able to judge that until after Christmas when we're getting into it," the 31-year-old said when asked about Leicester's hopes.

"We know how seasons can finish. It'll be tough. We need a big squad to do that, and all firing in the right directions.

"We've shown we can battle games out but we've just got to do what we're doing and see where it takes us.

"It's still really early on in the season. If you look at it there's still teams like Sheffield United sitting fifth. So we know it's going to be a long season and every team can beat everyone.

"We're in good confidence at the moment but the next period, especially being Christmas, will really test everyone's squad."

Jamie Vardy scored his 11th of the season before setting up James Maddison to score a game-clinching second 15 minutes from time.

Vardy was one of five members of Saturday's squad to have won their shock title in three years ago, but Evans refused to compare the teams.

"I think it's hard," said the former Manchester United and West Brom man, who joined the Foxes in 2018. "What they did that year was incredible. I suppose it's a compliment, really, to be compared to that team.

"I think teams disrespected Leicester that season, in terms of probably not really realising how good they were, and kept being caught short.

"After that, teams tried to become aware that they played on the counter-attack and not over-commit.

"I'm sure teams realise we are a good side and in every game I think we've played well, given everyone a test."

The result left Arsenal sixth, with one win in their last six Premier League games, and nine points behind Leicester.

But striker Alexandre Lacazette defended under-fire manager Unai Emery.

"Last season when we were unbeaten in 20 games in a row nobody said anything about the coach or manager," the Frenchman said.

"We miss confidence and we need the international break.

"I hope we are going to come back well. We want to be top four, of course.

"Now we are nine points behind Chelsea and Leicester and it is going to be hard, but everything is possible in football."

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TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Liverpool108111961325
2Manchester CityMan City1072121111023
3Nottingham ForestNott'm Forest10541147719
4Chelsea105322012818
5Arsenal105321711618
6Aston Villa105321715218
7Tottenham HotspurSpurs1051422111116
8Brighton & Hove AlbionBrighton104421714316
9Fulham104331413115
10Bournemouth104331312115
11Newcastle UnitedNewcastle104331010015
12Brentford104151920-113
13Manchester UnitedMan Utd10334912-312
14West Ham UnitedWest Ham103251319-611
15Leicester CityLeicester102441418-410
16Everton102351017-79
17Crystal Palace10145813-57
18Ipswich TownIpswich100551021-115
19Southampton10118719-124
20Wolverhampton WanderersWolves100371427-133


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