Leicester boost top-four hopes with 2-0 win over Blades

Leicester City's Kasper Schmeichel in action, as play resumes behind closed doors following the outbreak of the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) - Reuters

LEICESTER, England (Reuters): Leicester City boosted their hopes of finishing in the Premier League top four as goals by Ayoze Perez and substitute Demarai Gray secured a 2-0 home win over Sheffield United on Thursday.

The result left Leicester fourth on 62 points from 36 games, three ahead of fifth-placed Manchester United who were visiting Crystal Palace in a later game and one behind Chelsea in third.

Leicester centre-back Jonny Evans stressed that the Foxes were aiming to respond to a crushing 4-1 defeat at relegation-threatened Bournemouth on Sunday and praised 19-year old debutant Luke Thomas who set up the first goal.

Having won only one of their last six league games, Leicester needed a victory to get back on track in their bid to secure a berth in next season’s Champions League and they delivered with a dominant performance.

The defeat means Sheffield United stay eighth on 54 points, two points behind sixth-placed Wolverhampton Wanderers who occupy a Europa League qualifying spot, after their timid performance brought a four-match unbeaten run to an end.