LONDON, April 11: Leicester�s first target was exceeded long ago: Premier League survival. Another landmark was achieved on Sunday: Champions League qualification for the first time. By the end of the month, Leicester should have secured the prize once simply unthinkable for such a team: the Premier League trophy itself.
Jamie Vardy�s double at Sunderland sealed a 2-0 victory that guaranteed a coveted top-four finish. Leicester remains seven points clear at the top and is starting to resemble a Premier League thoroughbred with its effortless march to a first title.
This isn�t what a title run-in should look like for a team yet to win the league title in its 132-year history and was in a relegation scrap this time last season.
Tottenham is waiting to pounce on any slip-up by Leicester. The second-placed London club responded to Leicester�s Sunderland success by ending a 15-year wait for a home win over Manchester United. A 3-0 victory was secured by Dele Alli, Toby Alderweireld and Erik Lamela scoring within five minutes, 46 seconds in the second half.
The goal flurry came when the game should have been over. It started 30 minutes late at White Hart Lane because United was stuck in traffic travelling by bus from central to north London.
But it was lethargic Tottenham stuck in first gear as the game eventually kicked off, with United motoring forward to apply early pressure. The atmosphere was subdued as Tottenham could find no way to enter United territory until the 17th when David De Gea thwarted Harry Kane from close range.
It pushed Tottenham a step closer to joining Leicester in the Champions League next season, having only featured in Europe�s top competition once before.
Manager Mauricio Pochettino, who said he missed the third goal because he was in the toilet, hasn�t fully given up on delivering Tottenham�s first title since 1961 even though Leicester remains seven points in front after beating Sunderland 2-0 earlier on Sunday.
�It was important for us after the Leicester game to show character and maturity,� Pochettino said. �We sent a message we are there, waiting and fighting. And if they fail we need to stay there. Seven points is a difficult gap to reduce but we have to believe.�
Pochettino only got the job in 2014 because Van Gaal spurned Tottenham�s interest to succeed the ill-fated David Moyes at United.
United looks unlikely to be with them, given that crosstown rival Manchester City is four points ahead in fourth place. � Agencies
