Monday 11 April 2016 14:37, UK
Leicester cannot afford to become complacent in their pursuit of the Premier League title, according to former club captain Matt Elliott.
Claudio Ranieri's side maintained their seven point lead at the top of the table with a 2-0 win at Sunderland on Sunday.
Jamie Vardy continued his impressive form with two goals at the Stadium of Light to move Leicester a step closer to a first title in the club's 132-year history.
But Elliott, who made 245 appearances for the Foxes over an eight-year period, believes they still have work to do to win the title.
"Perhaps in the supporters' eyes, I think they possibly see it as a defining moment," said Elliott, who won the League Cup with Leicester in 2000.
"But I think, even at this stage, it's a little bit premature. People got carried away and excited when Leicester were 10 points clear but Tottenham put paid to that with a magnificent performance against Manchester United.
"It's still only a seven-point gap. It looks good for Leicester but there's still work to be done.
"I don't think there will be much relaxing going on. They'll be weighing up the different permutations and possibilities of their forthcoming games.
"They've done exceptionally well this season - one of their strengths is how focused they are and I'm sure they'll continue to do that right up until the death. Ranieri won't allow for any relaxation to creep in I'm sure."
Leicester kept their fifth consecutive clean sheet at the weekend, a new club record in the Premier League, and Elliott has been impressed with the team's defensive cohesion this season.
"First and foremost, Leicester defend from the front. Vardy and Shinji Okazaki are exceptional as forward players, but you have to give credit to the defensive unit," he said.
"It's not just the back four or five, with Kasper Schmeichel, it's the wide players too. In particular, I think N'Golo Kante and Danny Drinkwater do such a great job for the people behind them.
"There's almost an automatic telepathy they've got alongside each other. The clean sheets they've kept have been remarkable."
Leicester continue their title challenge against West Ham at home this Sunday before facing Swansea, Manchester United, Everton and Chelsea in their remaining fixtures.
"The way Leicester are going at the moment, they could win all five," said Elliott. "Perhaps that's wishful thinking.
"Three out of the five guarantees them the title and they'll obviously be looking to achieve that and hopefully get it done as quick as possible.
"West Ham are a difficult proposition, of course, with Andy Carroll fit and firing. Swansea, you would look at that and think there's a strong possibility of three points but again, they've proved to be difficult opponents.
"The final three games are all difficult in their own right, but I'd back Leicester against anyone at this moment in time."
