Sunday 5 March 2017 13:35, UK
Riyad Mahrez is showing signs of recapturing the form that saw him voted last season’s PFA Player of the Year, according to Leicester interim boss Craig Shakespeare.
The Algeria international ended a goal drought stretching back to November when he scored Leicester's second in their 3-1 victory over Premier League relegation rivals Hull on Saturday.
He turned Andrew Robertson one way then the other trying to create an opening for a shot and, after cutting back for the third time, Mahrez found the bottom corner of the net with a shot from the edge of the area.
Mahrez scored 18 goals in all competitions last season but has mustered just eight so far this term with a little over two months left of the current campaign.
"Riyad Mahrez has been frustrated with himself [recently]," Shakespeare said
"We told him to go out there and be himself. It is the Mahrez of old with the goal he scored.
"Goals give players confidence and hopefully now he can go on a run. Results give players confidence. Back-to-back wins will give confidence for the last 11 games of the season."
It was a huge win for the champions, who are now five points clear of the relegation zone in 15th place, after winning consecutive games for the first time all season.
"In terms of our points, it has been a turnaround," Shakespeare added.
"Everyone looked at the game against Liverpool on Monday and to get the three points under pressure was important but to back that up with another win was vitally important.
"When you're losing and down on confidence it can be hard.
"Am I surprised? No, because I know this squad and what they're capable of."
