Cristiano Ronaldo, Gareth Bale, Frank Lampard, Steven Gerrard, Yaya Toure, Andrei Kanchelskis. Before today only six players had netted 16 goals or more in a Premier League season, despite not playing as a forward. Paul Scholes never did it, Ryan Giggs never did it.
At Crystal Palace, Riyad Mahrez joined that list, his 16th Premier League goal of the season enough to give Leicester City yet another crucial victory in the hunt for a remarkable title. Eight points clear ahead of Tottenham's home match against Bournemouth, Foxes fans stayed behind after the final whistle at Selhurst Park, chanting 'We're going to win the league' non-stop for the best part of 15 minutes.
Mahrez has played a bigger part than anybody in Leicester's position right now - even bigger than Jamie Vardy. While Vardy has been directly involved in 25 goals - scoring 19 and bagging his sixth assist of the campaign here - Mahrez has been involved in 27, setting up 11. It's for that reason that he must now be the favourite to win player of the year.
Leicester only had two shots in the first half against Palace, both from Mahrez. The Algerian has scored so many goals from a right-wing position this season because he is capable of creating openings through his own skilful play, but also because he has the instinct to sniff out a chance. That instinct allowed him to steal in front of his marker and turn home Vardy's smart cross to ultimate decide this match.
Mahrez also completed five out of nine attempted take-ons and was Leicester's most dangerous player throughout. The fact that Palace boss Alan Pardew substituted left-back Pape Souare at half-time, bringing on Martin Kelly instead, illustrated the problems the winger was causing.
Mahrez has played a bigger part than anybody in Leicester's position right now - even bigger than Jamie Vardy. While Vardy has been directly involved in 25 goals - scoring 19 and bagging his sixth assist of the campaign here - Mahrez has been involved in 27, setting up 11. It's for that reason that he must now be the favourite to win player of the year.
Leicester only had two shots in the first half against Palace, both from Mahrez. The Algerian has scored so many goals from a right-wing position this season because he is capable of creating openings through his own skilful play, but also because he has the instinct to sniff out a chance. That instinct allowed him to steal in front of his marker and turn home Vardy's smart cross to ultimate decide this match.
Mahrez also completed five out of nine attempted take-ons and was Leicester's most dangerous player throughout. The fact that Palace boss Alan Pardew substituted left-back Pape Souare at half-time, bringing on Martin Kelly instead, illustrated the problems the winger was causing.
