BPL: Claudio Ranieri Praises Fringe Players As Leicester Keep Title Bid On Track

Leicester's Leonardo Ulloa claimed the winner in a 1-0 victory over Norwich

Leicester boss Claudio Ranieri praised his fringe players after Leonardo Ulloa kept their title bid on track.

Press Association report continues:

The Foxes moved five points clear at the top of the Barclays Premier League after a last-gasp 1-0 win over Norwich on Saturday.

Ulloa struck just his third goal of the season after coming off the bench with 12 minutes remaining to break stubborn Norwich's resistance.

The forward has only started five league games this season with 19-goal Jamie Vardy and Shinji Okazaki Ranieri's first-choice strikeforce.

But Ranieri insisted the former Brighton man, and the rest of his squad, are united as they chase the top prize.

"Ulloa is happy but everyone is happy. When one man scores a goal, all of Leicester City Football Club are happy," he said.

"Everybody is happy because the team is playing well and is top of the league.

"Everyone would like to play, but it's not possible. They believe in the project and they believe their team-mates are playing well.

"For me it's important to believe in them because, when I need some changes, they are ready.

"For this reason I've said many times we have a fantastic dressing room."

Tottenham could cut the gap at the top with a win over Swansea on Sunday.

Leicester host West Brom on Tuesday and then go to Watford on Saturday as they look to continue their shock title challenge and Ranieri will assess N'Golo Kante after the midfielder came off injured against the Canaries.

He added: "He had just a little pain in his hamstring and we will check."

Defeat left Norwich with seven losses in their last eight games in all competitions and only out of the relegation zone on goal difference.

Boss Alex Neil said: "If Leicester were the better side and deserved the win you take your humble pie, regroup and get ready for the next game.

"In recent weeks we have been 2-0 up against West Ham, 3-1 on Liverpool and on Saturday we had a great opportunity to get a point or maybe three."