Leicester City 1-0 Newcastle United: Foxes continue march to title at Rafa's expense.

Shinji Okazaki proved the difference for Claudio Ranieri's men as the Japanese star
converted in the first half, ensuring an unhappy debut for the new man on Tyne side Rafa Benitez received a taste of the
challenge he faces in keeping Newcastle United in the Premier League, as the Magpies were beaten 1-0 by title chasers
Leicester City .

Shinji Okazaki's excellent finish midway through the first half lit up an otherwise quiet affair at the King Power Stadium as
Claudio Ranieri's men re-established a five-point lead over Tottenham at the top of the
table.

Leicester have won six of their last eight league games and show no sign of buckling
under the pressure, with only eight more matches left to negotiate as their remarkable
bid for the title goes on.
Newcastle, who were more steady in defence
but lacked an attacking punch, remain 19th
in the table and have now suffered defeat in
six of their last seven league outings.

After defeat in his debut match, Benitez's attention immediately turns to a pivotal derby against neighbours and fellow
strugglers Sunderland on Sunday, a match
that could go a long way to determining the
fate of the north-east rivals.

Leicester, meanwhile, are now guaranteed to be top of the pile come the beginning of
April and will hope to continue Crystal Palace's woeful Premier League form at
Selhurst Park on Saturday.
Benitez, who made two changes in his first selection, saw the visitors make a solid start
with Ayoze Perez and Moussa Sissoko both
off target with early efforts, but it wasunchanged Leicester who took the lead on
25 minutes.

Newcastle did not take two chances to clear
their lines from a Riyad Mahrez free-kick and
Marc Albrighton's follow-up cross, allowing
Jamie Vardy to head back across the face of
goal, with Okazaki's acrobatic effort doing
the rest from just outside the six-yard box.

Albrighton almost doubled the advantage
when he collected Vardy's pass and charged
towards goal before curling a shot just wide
from the edge of the area.
Benitez brought on Andros Townsend early
in the second half and Perez lashed an effort
against the side netting, but neither goalkeeper was overly tested throughout the
contest.

Siem de Jong and Seydou Doumbia were
also introduced, but Newcastle were
struggling to make an impression with
Leicester content to hold on to their one-goal
lead - earned from their only shot on target -and attempt to threaten on the counter-
attack.

Src- goal.com