Leicester continue march on title as Manchester United implode in six crazy minutes

Leicester need just three victories to claim their first-ever top flight title after a comfortable 2-0 win at Sunderland, while Manchester United’s 0-3 defeat to Tottenham has made Champions League qualification almost impossible.

Jamie Vardy’s 20th and 21st goals of the season kept the Foxes seven points ahead of Tottenham Hotspur with five games to go.

The result also guaranteed Leicester a Champions League place after Spurs’ 3-0 success against Manchester United.

Leicester boss Claudio Ranieri said: “The fans must continue to dream but we must continue to be concentrated and focused.”

“Now we have two tough matches at home, the Champions League is on the table and we have to keep it. We haven’t achieved anything yet.”

“You make this job for the emotion you feel inside, but it is difficult for me to tell what kind of emotion.”

City has amassed 33 points in 2016, more than any other team in the Premier League, while this victory marked its fifth consecutive clean sheet in the top flight – the first time in the club’s history that it has achieved this feat.

Three goals in six minutes kept Spurs’ hopes alive as they capitalised on a lacklustre United performance.

Dele Alli, Toby Alderweireld and Erik Lamela got the goals to keep Mauricio Pochettino’s team in the title race.

“I think it’s true we sent a message that we are there, waiting and fighting,” said Pochettino.

“If Leicester fail we need to stay there, it’s important. Seven points is a difficult gap to reduce but we need to believe.”

“The performance like today, and the result like today, showed that this team believes.”

The result leaves United in fifth place, six points behind third-placed Arsenal and four adrift of Manchester City.

West Ham United is a point behind United in the race for a top four place.

Despite the defeat, United boss Louis Van Gaal believes his team gave a good account of themselves.

“Tottenham is a great team and I have said that also in advance of this match,” he said.

“But, until the first goal, I think we were a good team who were playing good in Tottenham and we also had a big chance for a goal.”

“Yes, 3-0 is a big negative result but the way that we have played until the first goal was good.”

Leicester is back in action on Sunday as they host West Ham, while Spurs travel to Stoke City on Monday night.

Arsenal meet Crystal Palace on Sunday, with the Manchester clubs in action on Saturday – United at home to Aston Villa with City facing Chelsea at Stamford Bridge.

Leicester follow up the West Ham fixture with a home game against Swansea City. The Foxes could claim the title at Old Trafford with victory against United on 1 May.