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Premier League: Duo end goal droughts as Leicester sink Palace

By Allsports.com.gh
Football News Premier League: Duo end goal droughts as Leicester sink Palace
OCT 22, 2016 LISTEN

Leicester strikers Shinji Okazaki and Ahmed Musa ended lengthy goal droughts as the Premier League champions beat Crystal Palace 3-1 on Saturday.

Claudio Ranieri's side were on course for their first win in four league matches after Nigeria international Musa claimed his first Leicester goal in his 10th appearance since a pre-season move from CSKA Moscow.

Japan forward Okazaki doubled Leicester's lead in the second half at the King Power Stadium with his first goal in 14 league appearances.

Austrian defender Christian Fuchs sealed the points in the closing stages with his first goal for the Foxes and Yohan Cabaye's late reply was no consolation for Palace.

Leicester's 20th home league game without defeat was the perfect birthday present for Ranieri, who turned 65 on Thursday, and it ensured they avoided making the worst start by reigning English champions since Leeds in 1974.

While Leicester have made a spluttering opening in the Premier League, they have looked more like the team that unexpectedly won the title during a run of three successive Champions League victories.

The latest of those memorable European wins came in midweek against Copenhagen and the positive vibes finally translated to Leicester's domestic duties.

Okazaki replaced England striker Jamie Vardy, who was left on the bench after struggling for form and fitness of late, and the diminutive Japanese should have put Leicester ahead in the opening moments.

Palace goalkeeper Steve Mandanda kicked a clearance straight to him, but he rushed a weak shot that drifted wide.

Palace came close to a surprise opener when Martin Kelly's cross picked out Christian Benteke and the former Liverpool striker's powerful header beat Leicester goalkeeper Kasper Schmeichel, only to hit the crossbar and rebound to safety.

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Leicester City's Japanese striker Shinji Okazaki vies with Crystal Palace's Irish defender Damien Delaney (R) during the English Premier League football match between Leicester City and Crystal Palace on October 22, 2016 (AFP)

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