Leicester City simply will not go away.
With 17 matches of the campaign remaining, it was not unreasonable to assume Claudio Ranieri’s side would have by tailed off by now after a remarkable start to the season that transformed the relegation candidates into the unlikeliest of title challengers.
Wednesday night’s 1-0 win at Tottenham Hotspur suggests that Leicester are here to stay as a top-four contender, however.
That victory in midweek came after a run of three Premier League games without a win or a goal, with star men and top scorers Jamie Vardy and Riyad Mahrez suffering a slight dip in form.
Nevertheless, Robert Huth’s late winner at White Hart Lane means that Leicester now find themselves level on points with leaders Arsenal and eight clear of West Ham United in fifth place.
Today’s trip to bottom-of-the-table Aston Villa gives them a chance to increase that margin further, but it could also provide Ranieri with a taste of what is to come for the remainder of the campaign.
Leicester’s blueprint for success this year has been a model of play that sees them sit deep and soak up pressure before pouncing on the counter-attack.
Their average possession of 46 per cent is higher than only West Bromwich Albion and Sunderland, and they have had more than 50 per cent of the ball in only two matches this term.
It is now probable that the so-called smaller sides will treat Leicester with the same respect they would a Manchester City, Manchester United, Tottenham or Arsenal.
This could result in opponents ceding possession, sinking back into their own half of the field and cutting off space in behind their defensive line.
It will be a different type of test for Leicester, and one they will need to overcome to secure a Uefa Champions League spot this season.
