The Algeria international's 16th strike of the Premier League season was enough for Claudio Ranieri's men to take another big stride towards an historic triumph

Leicester City took another big stride towards the Premier League title as they beat Crystal Palace 1-0 at Selhurst Park on Saturday.

Riyad Mahrez scored the only goal of the game - his 16th of the season - in the 34th minute, picking up on a low cross from Jamie Vardy and firing home left-footed.

Though Alan Pardew's men had their fair share of pressure they were unable to prevent the extension of their winless run in the top flight to 13 games, while the Foxes are now eight points clear the top ahead of Tottenham's game against Bournemouth on Sunday.

After a scrappy opening, Mahrez missed a golden chance to grab the lead on 18 minutes when, having been played in behind the Palace defence by Danny Drinkwater, his low shot was partially blocked by Wayne Hennessey before being cleared.

Palace responded with a bright spell of attacking possession, Wilfried Zaha bobbling a volley wide of the far post after being picked out by Yannick Bolasie, and the hosts were punished for that miss after 34 minutes. Vardy turned into space in the area and drilled the ball across the box, with Mahrez arriving to sweep home from close range while Hennessey was out of position.

Bolasie almost restored parity within two minutes but Kasper Schmeichel reacted well to parry his deflected shot away at the near post.

Pardew introduced Bakary Sako and Martin Kelly at half-time to inject some life into Palace but Leicester almost doubled their lead within three minutes of the restart, Shinji Okazaki firing just over on the turn after good work from Marc Albrighton.

Bolasie was proving a real handful as Palace began to pile on the pressure in their search for an equaliser and Wes Morgan produced one impeccable challenge to deny him a one-on-one following a long clearance forward.

Schmeichel showed safe hands when grasping Sako's bouncing drive from distance and Damien Delaney almost snatched a point when he rattled the crossbar in injury time with a volley from close range but Palace could not avoid a sixth consecutive league defeat at home.

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  That's all for our live coverage from Selhurst Park. Goodbye!
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  Leicester City extend their lead to eight points at the summit through Riyad Mahrez's 16th league goal of the season, and the Foxes could be just eight weeks from making history! Something special is happening with this side who continue to defy the odds week after week. Their doubters are falling by the wayside, as this incredible story continues to write itself! For Palace it's another defeat as the pressure continues to mount on Alan Pardew, who has thrown all his eggs in the FA Cup basket now.
• 90'+3'

   

  FULL-TIME: CRYSTAL PALACE 0-1 LEICESTER CITY.
• 90'+2'

   

  OFF THE BAR! Palace nearly play spoiler! A corner he headed down by Dann, into the path of Delaney. The defender, who was once relegated with Leicester, chests down the ball and smashes a half-volley off the bar! That was so close to heartbreak for the Foxes!
• 90'+1'

   

  SubstitutionJamie Vardy Daniel Amartey
  The visitors make their final change in an attempt to further wind down the clock, bringing on Daniel Amartey for Jamie Vardy.
• 90'

   

  The board goes up to indicate three minutes of stoppage time as Albrighton wins Leicester a corner - job almost done for the Foxes!
• 88'

   

  CRUCIAL TACKLE! It's such an outstanding run from Vardy, who picks up the ball at the halfway line and has absolutely no business getting into attack as he's surrounded by defenders without any support. The striker manages to make it all the way into the area through sheer determination, but a last-ditch tackle from Delaney sees his shot deflect behind for a corner!
• 86'

   

  SubstitutionRiyad Mahrez Jeffrey Schlupp
  A second change for Leicester as Jeffrey Schlupp comes on to provide more defensive stability, with Mahrez the one to give way.
• 84'

   

  Palace pouring the pressure on now, in what is proving a very testing final 10 minutes for Ranieri's side. They reload time and time again in attack, throwing everything they can at goal, but Leicester continue to withstand the pressure. This could prove a massive final five minutes in the title race!
• 82'

   

  Well done by Zaha! We haven't heard much from him in this second half, but a good jaunt down the right sees him send an inviting cross in for Bolasie at the far post, though the winger's volley is blocked. Pressure stays on and another terrific strike from Sako forces Schmeichel into a save.
• 80'

   

  Mahrez does well simply to win a corner on the front foot as he lacks support. The ensuing delivery is only partially cleared as it comes to Fuchs, but the left-back is unable to navigate his powerful strike through the mess of bodies inside the area.
• 79'

   

  SubstitutionJoe Ledley Dwight Gayle
  Palace make their final change - a necessary one at that - as striker Dwight Gayle is introduced. Off in his place is midfielder Joe Ledley. The Eagles are throwing caution to the wind now.
• 78'

   

  STAT: Crystal Palace have taken just four points from the last 36 available in the Barclays Premier League (W0, D4, L8).
• 76'

   

  SubstitutionShinji Okazaki José Leonardo Ulloa
  Claudio Ranieri makes his first swap of the afternoon, bringing on Leo Ulloa with Okazaki to give way. The Japan international, who rarely plays the full 90 minutes, has put in a terrific shift yet again today.
• 74'

   

  He certainly isn't afraid of having a go! Sako, who continues to be bright for Palace, tries his luck from 25-yards out. He hits it with great power, but the low strike is straight at Schmeichel who does well to absorb it and hold on.
• 72'

   

  WONDERFUL DELIVERY! Sako sends a sensational cross into the area behind the defence, just far enough out that Schmeichel can't come meet it. Cabaye comes closest to getting on the end of it at the far post, but he can't get the decisive touch!
• 70'

   

  Why hasn't he had a shot? The ball is flung back into the penalty area amidst a prominent spell in attack from Leicester. It drops kindly for Mahrez, but he shows a lack of confidence in his right foot as he instead tries to drive to the byline and whip in a cross - but it's straight at Hennessey.
• 68'

   

  Approaching the final 20 minutes now and it seems as though we're going to be in for a grandstand finish at Selhurst Park. Leicester have won an inordinate amount of games by this same scoreline this season, but it certainly makes for an unnerving conclusion to matches.
• 66'

   

  Palace are showing a lot more intent as they play very direct in possession. They've entered arguably their best spell of the match as they start to commit bodies into attack, hoping to solve this Leicester defence. They have to be wary of being caught lacking numbers on the break, however.
• 64'

   

  End to end action! Leicester break with pace following a Palace corner, but Kante is unable to pick out Mahrez in acres of space in the final third. Back the other way come the hosts through Bolasie, but a super tackle from Morgan following a slightly heavy touch from the winger sees the chance go begging.
• 62'

   

  STAT: Leicester have won 12 games by a single goal this season, more than any other Premier League side.
• 60'

   

  Sako is coming to life himself now, making a clear difference in attack. His presence has given Bolasie someone to link up with, and the pair are starting to ask questions of this Leicester defence. Still, however, they're lacking a real danger inside the area without a recognised striker in the side.
• 58'

   

  Palace need to make the most of their chances from set-pieces. They have a clear height advantage over Leicester, but a wealth of deliveries bereft of quality have prevented them from every testing Schmeichel through the air. It simply must be better from their point of view if Palace are to turn this around.
• 56'

   

  Leicester are so good at winning the ball back in the attacking half when they give it away. They have such an excellent understanding, waiting a few seconds to try and get back in possession before they switch into defence and get their shape back.
• 54'

   

  Bolasie is offering far and above the best outlet in attack for Palace, but Leicester are more than aware of the threat he poses, and have thus been able to swarm the winger every time he gets in possession. The Foxes are giving the hosts next to nothing as they attempt to restore parity.
• 52'

   

  STAT: All four goals in this fixture since the two teams returned to the top flight, before today, have been scored between the 50th and 60th minutes.
• 50'

   

  Brilliantly worked again! Drinkwater wins the ball in midfield and picks out Mahrez on the right. A clever one-two between him and Okazaki sees the Algerian teed up for a strike, but an uncharacteristically poor effort sees him curl a strike well wide of the far post.
• 48'

   

  HOW CLOSE WAS THAT?! Albrighton's relentless play atop the area sees him into a dangerous position, before picking out Okazaki inside the box. The striker turns and fires a sharply struck shot towards the top corner - and it doesn't miss by much!
• 46'

   

  Here we go again!
• 46'

   

  SubstitutionEmmanuel Adebayor Bakary Sako
  Emmanuel Adebayor, who also appeared to be struggling towards the end of the first half, is replaced by Bakary Sako.
• 46'

   

  SubstitutionPape N'Diaye Souaré Martin Kelly
  Two changes at the break for Palace, the first of which sees Martin Kelly replace Pape Souare at left-back.
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  Riyad Mahrez's 16th league goal of the season has the Foxes in front at the interval, pouncing in typical Leicester fashion following a spell of Palace pressure. They're on course to move eight points up on Tottenham as things stand, but they're far from home free just yet. They will be encouraged by that first half, which could have seen Mahrez net more than a couple times, but Palace have shown they too are capable on the front foot - with Bolasie especially lively.
• 45'+1'

   

  HALF-TIME: CRYSTAL PALACE 0-1 LEICESTER CITY.
• 45'

   

  There will be just one minute added on at the end of this first half.
• 43'

   

  STAT: Including today, Leicester City have scored in 28 of 31 Premier League games this season; more often than any other team.
• 42'

   

  Yellow Card Pape N'Diaye Souaré
  Lovely piece of dribbling from Vardy to hold the ball and turn up the pitch. He forces Souare into a cynical challenge to halt the run, and the left-back goes into the referee's book as a result.
• 40'

   

  SMART SAVE! That's shocking defending from Zaha, however. He completely stopped tracking back when he had just a few more steps to close down on Albrighton! The Leicester winger cuts onto his right and drives a promising effort towards the far corner, but Hennessey dives over to his right to parry.
• 38'

   

  That's absolutely the worst-case scenario for Palace. They've been playing better of late, but now find themselves trailing once again, against arguably the last team you want to fall behind against. The Foxes are so good at playing with the lead, while Palace's confidence couldn't afford another blow like that provided by the Mahrez goal.
• 36'

   

  TREMENDOUS SAVE! It's a vital piece of goalkeeping from Schmeichel, who somehow manages to halt his momentum and keep a strong hand out to his right to deny Bolasie's strike which had deflected and changed course off Morgan!
• 34'

   

  Assist Jamie Vardy
  Vardy hasn't been scoring as much of late, but his contributions have been just as critical - case and point here!
• 34'

   

   

   

  Goal Riyad Mahrez
  LEICESTER TAKE ANOTHER BIG STEP TOWARDS THE TITLE! Vardy carves out a pocket of space inside the area before driving a low cross towards the far post. Mahrez runs into the middle to meet in, ahead of Souare, and it's his famous left foot that sends the ball crashing beyond Hennessey!
• 32'

   

  This is far more encouraging through Palace, who look increasingly dangerous with each attack as they finally introduce a bit of width. Zaha and Bolasie both appear to be up for the occasion, and the switch to the 4-3-3 has allowed them to stay higher up the pitch, limiting some of their defensive responsibilities.
• 30'

   

  Yellow Card Kasper Schmeichel
  HAS TO BE BETTER! Bolasie takes the ball beyond Simpson with his hand and bursts into the area before teasing a cross over the keeper and into the path of Zaha - but the forward sends his volley wide of the near post! Schmeichel is livid with the referee for not spotting the handball and allowing play to go on, and goes into the book for dissent.
• 29'

   

  The hosts enjoy a better spell in possession, though they're creating precious little. It actually plays into the hands of Leicester, who are keen to absorb a bit of pressure before getting back at their opponents on the break. Mahrez makes a tidy run forward, but he was always looking to switch onto his left and Ledley was wise to it.
• 27'

   

  STAT: Crystal Palace are the only club in the top four divisions in England without a league victory in 2016.
• 25'

   

  Palace do look a team lacking belief. They're still searching for their first league win of 2016 and confidence is in short supply as a result. Their idea of attacking is to heave the ball forward to Bolasie and hope for an individual moment of brilliance. It's far from inspiring from the Eagles.
• 23'

   

  Pardew is quite animated on his touchline, and it looks as though the manager has tweaked the formation as he's not pleased with what he's seen thus far. They've gone into a 4-3-3 now from a 4-4-2, with Bolasie playing down the left, Zaha on the right and Adebayor obviously playing through the middle.
• 21'

   

  They're pouring it on now! Fuchs and Albrighton are such a joy to watch when they move the ball about on the flank. Another terrific bit of interplay sees the latter into space, and his cross is sent behind for a corner - the Foxes win a second set-piece in succession, but can't make use of either.
• 19'

   

  OUTSTANDING! That's Leicester at their finest! Vardy holds up and lays it off for Drinkwater, who plays a picture-perfect ball through the heart of the Palace defence to send Mahrez through on goal. The Algerian tries to roll one through the legs of the keeper, but Hennessey gets the slightest of touches to take the sting out of it and divert it just wide of the near post!
• 17'

   

  STAT: The Eagles have lost their last five Premier League games at Selhurst Park and defeat to Leicester would equal their longest losing run at home in PL history (also did this in April 1998).
• 15'

   

  The tempo has slowed drastically since the Mahrez chance, with everything proving a bit congested out on the pitch. Leicester are having more success playing balls over the top, but the Palace defence is proving up for the occasion. Meanwhile, the hosts are insistent on building through the centre, to no avail thus far.
• 13'

   

  Okazaki's relentless pursuit of the ball in attack has caused defenders across the Premier League fits this season. His not the most technically sound player, perhaps, but his role in this Leicester team in so unique and vital to their success. You'll never see him give up on a lost cause.
• 11'

   

  The Foxes are showing all the initiative thus far, with Bolasie's strike from range inside of three minutes proving the only attack of note from Palace thus far. Uncharacteristically, Leicester are enjoying the bulk of possession. They'd prefer not to play on the ball, but teams have started to sit back on them and force them to stray from their usual tactics.
• 9'

   

  ALMOST THE OPENER! Okazaki shows excellent strength and technique inside the area to drive towards the byline and chip a delightful cross towards the far post for Mahrez. The Algerian winger arrives to meet it, but Souare does just enough to throw him off and prevent a shot on goal - which proves vital as Hennessey was stranded.
• 7'

   

  STAT: Jamie Vardy needs one more goal to reach 20 league goals for the season. The last Leicester player to score 20 times in a top-flight season was Gary Lineker in 1984-85 (24 - no Leicester player has done it during the Premier League era).
• 5'

   

  Leicester are attacking with plenty of width in the early going, getting down the flanks to great effect. Mahrez has assumed his usual position on the right, with Vardy and Albrighton linking up soundly on the left. Palace are sure to have plenty of bodies back when the Foxes do break, however.
• 3'

   

  The sides exchange early attacks, lead by their catalysts Jamie Vardy and Yannick Bolasie. Both goalkeepers are given something to think about, providing an encouraging sign of what may be to come over the 90 minutes.
• 1'

   

  And we're underway at Selhurst Park!
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  For a ninth time in 11 matches, Claudio Ranieri trots out the same XI for Leicester City in the Premier League. Stability has been one of the driving factors behind Leicester's success this season and it's hardly a surprise to see the Italian take a step back so as not to interfere with their rhythm. Andy King remains out of the team altogether as he battles a bug, though Matty James is nearing a return following a lengthy spell in the training room with a knee injury.
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  Alan Pardew names an unchanged starting line-up from the side which defeated Reading in the last-eight of the FA Cup at the Madejski Stadium. Mile Jedinak was a doubt as he nursed a sore back throughout the week, but has been deemed fit to start. Emmanuel Adebayor keeps his place in attack alongside Yannick Bolasie, as Connor Wickham remains sidelined.
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  SUBS: Schlupp, Amartey, Gray, Ulloa, Wasilewski, Schwarzer, Inler.
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  LEICESTER CITY (4-4-2): Schmeichel; Simpson, Morgan, Huth, Fuchs; Mahrez, Kante, Drinkwater, Albrighton; Okazaki, Vardy.
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  SUBS: Mutch, Kelly, Gayle, Sako, Campbell, Puncheon, Speroni.
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  CRYSTAL PALACE (4-4-2): Hennessey; Ward, Dann, Delaney, Souare; Zaha, Cabaye, Jedinak, Ledley; Bolasie, Adebayor.
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  CONFIRMED TEAM NEWS:
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  Crystal Palace are hoping to play devil’s advocate this afternoon and help their fellow London clubs in Tottenham and Arsenal, by causing Leicester to drop points. The Eagles are in a horrible run at the moment in the league, but got a much-needed victory in the FA Cup over Reading last weekend as they booked their ticket to Wembley. Palace have played a surprising role in the title race in recent years – see Dwight Gayle and Liverpool – and will be hoping to do the same today.
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  They remain five points up on Tottenham and could put immense pressure on Spurs for their game against Bournemouth tomorrow by extending the lead to eight tonight. If the Foxes simply pick up 13 points from their last eight games (four wins and a draw), which is a very realistic expectation, then it would force Mauricio Pochettino’s side – who still have some difficult matches on the horizon – to win six of their last eight to pull level on points. Leicester can almost see the light at the end of the tunnel, but there’s still work to be done as teams will undoubtedly be gunning for them over the final two months.
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  Hello and welcome to live coverage of Leicester City’s trip to Selhurst Park to take on a Crystal Palace side hoping to play the role of spoiler. The Foxes continue to power on at the summit, picking up 10 of a possible 12 points over the past month despite being faced with some tricky fixtures. Their sense of destiny was perhaps encapsulated in their victory over Newcastle Monday night at the King Power. Rafa Benitez was making his managerial bow for the club, desperate for three points, but Leicester gave them absolutely nothing. They took the lead and did what they do so well – kept it. Sure, it wasn’t the most convincing at times, but the result is all that matters in the end.