Saturday 1 April 2017 19:38, UK
Leicester City’s survival hopes are looking up after the champions beat Stoke City 2-0 at the King Power Stadium, according to interim boss Craig Shakespeare.
The Foxes registered a third home win in a row in the Premier League on Saturday afternoon to move six points clear of the drop zone with just nine games remaining this season.
And Shakespeare, who became the first British manager to win his first four Premier League games in the process, said things were now looking much brighter around the club.
"They are looking better, better than they were definitely, but again we have to make sure we are ready for Sunderland on Tuesday night," he said after the game.
"Obviously very pleasing to get the three points, but also pleasing to get a clean sheet as we work hard on that.
"And defensively I thought we had to, when Stoke went direct in the second half and brought some big players on and put some crosses into our box, defend resiliently. But really pleased to get the three points."
The home side were sent on their way to victory by Wilfred Ndidi's stunning long-range strike, a crucial goal according to Shakespeare.
"He has scored one like that before, but I always felt that the first goal was going to be important today," he said. "Thankfully we got it, it gave us a foothold in the game."
However, it was Jamie Vardy's well-taken volley two minutes into the second half that gave the Foxes some much-needed breathing space.
"And then the second goal just after half-time obviously relaxed everyone's nerves and allowed us to try and play the football," said Shakespeare. "But second half, Stoke had some chances as well."
Shakespeare has now won all five matches in charge of Leicester, although he claimed it was the first of those, a 3-1 home win against Liverpool, that was the most important.
"The first result was always going to be important in terms of confidence and players feeling good about themselves again and we have kicked on from there," he said.
"I am proud, but also pleased for everyone associated with the football club. There has been (a good atmosphere) for a while in terms of the atmosphere and the crowd, who have been really appreciative in terms of the effort.
"And I think the players are towards the fans as well."
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