high 26 points to spark a huge effort from the leagues

Shinji Okazakis overhead kick sent Leicester City five points clear at the top of the Premier League table as Rafa Benitez suffered a 1-0 defeat in his first game as Newcastle manager on Monday. The Premier League leaders went in front through Okazakis acrobatic finish on 25 minutes after Jamie Vardy, who appeared to be standing in an offside position when the cross came in, nodded across goal for his strike partner. Okazakis acrobtaic finish sealed the points for Leicester Newcastle had missed the chance to go ahead when Ayoze Perez dragged his shot wide early on, while Moussa Sissoko and Siem de Jong both spurned promising opportunities to equalise after the break. The visitors had 13 shots to Leicesters 10 in an improved performance under new boss Benitez, and had a penalty claim turned down when Sissokos shot struck Wes Morgans arm, but the defeat leaves them second bottom with Sunderland to come in the Tyne-Wear derby next Sunday, live on Sky Sports. Leicesters Wes Morgan and Danny Drinkwater say they had to dig in to beat Newcastle As for Leicester, who scored with their only shot on target at the King Power Stadium, the win means they will definitely stay top through to April with a visit to Crystal Palace up next.Benitez made two changes for his first game in charge as Aleksandar Mitrovic and Vurnon Anita replaced Paul Dummett and Emmanuel Riviere, and the visitors started the stronger. Rafael Benitez suffered defeat in his first match in charge of Newcastle They went close through Perez after just four minutes as the Spaniard flashed his shot just wide, before his teasing cross almost found Sissoko at the back post.But Leicester edged in front when Okazaki found the bottom corner with a stunning piece of improvisation for his fifth league goal of the season. Leicester manager Claudio Ranieri praised his sides spirit Steven Taylor could only help on Marc Albrightons cross to the back post, and when Vardy headed back across goal, Okazaki was on hand to fire an overhead kick past Elliot. Former Premier League referee Dermot Gallagher told Sky Sports after the game Vardy was correctly ruled onside because Taylors header was unchallenged, deeming it a football action, and leaving the Leicester man free in phase two to legitimately play the ball.Albrighton had the chance to double the hosts lead immediately, but the winger flashed his shot wide of the far post. Okazaki celebrates the only goal of the game at the King Power Stadium Newcastle responded well to going behind and quickly settled back into their rhythm, but Sissoko and Mitrovic collided as the latter looked to pull the trigger in the box.And, with a sell-out King Power in full voice, Benitezs side struggled to carve out another opportunity before the break. Vardy battles Anita in the first half The Newcastle boss responded with his first change 10 minutes after half-time, and Andros Townsends introduction made a difference.Sissoko wasted their clearest opportunity to level when he failed to pick out a team-mate after breaking past the Leicester defence on the hour mark, but Newcastle midfielder then set up Perez, whose low drive deflected narrowly wide of Kasper Schmeichels near post. Newcastle manager Rafael Benitez focused on the positives following his first game in charge Mitrovic and Danny Simpson clashed as the visitors frustration threatened to boil over, but referee Craig Pawson did well to defuse the situation.The Magpies continued to grow into the game as the final 10 minutes approached, and they had a penalty appeal ignored when Sissokos powerful shot came back off Morgan with eight minutes to play. Monday Night Football guest Ronald Koeman believes Manchester City and Arsenal are now out of the Premier League title race Their final chance to salvage a point fell to substitute De Jong, but the Dutchman could only skew his shot tamely to Schmeichel as Leicester saw out the final stages to secure their second consecutive 1-0 win.The victory puts them five points ahead of Tottenham with eight games remaining, while Newcastle have now lost their last seven league matches on the road.Team line-upsLeicester: Schmeichel (6), Simpson (6), Huth (7), Morgan (7), Fuchs (6), Mahrez (6), Kante (8), Drinkwater (8), Albrighton (6), Okazaki (7), Vardy (6).Used subs: Schlupp (6), Ulloa (6)Newcastle: Elliot (6), Colback (7), Lascelles (6), Taylor (6), Janmaat (6), Sissoko (6), Anita (6), Shelvey (6), Perez (6), Wijnaldum (6), Mitrovic (6)Used subs: Townsend (6), De Jong (5), Doumbia (6)Man of the Match: Danny Drinkwater Thomas Morstead Youth Jersey .C. -- Chris Thorburn thinks one of the reasons the Winnipeg Jets have been successful under new coach Paul Maurice is that theyre playing together as a team. Rickey Jackson Saints Jersey . Jason Zucker and Matt Cooke also scored for Minnesota, which has won five of six. Kuemper made five saves in the first, nine in the second, and nine in the third. The rookies best save came with 2:17 left in the third period when he denied former Wild forward Matt Cullen from just outside of the crease on the right side. http://www.saintsrookiestore.com/Saints-Archie-Manning-Jersey/ . Louis Blues teammates who would also be participating in the Olympics, Alex Pietrangelo felt right at home, no different in some ways to the travel experience of any old road trip – save for the length of the journey, that is. TreQuan Smith Jersey . Paul Pierce couldnt believe he missed at the end. Young scored a season-high 26 points to spark a huge effort from the leagues most productive bench, and Los Angeles beat the Brooklyn Nets 99-94 on Wednesday night after blowing a 27-point lead. Cameron Jordan Womens Jersey . -- Ken Appleby made 32 saves for his first shutout of the season to lead the Oshawa Generals to a 2-0 win over the Belleville Bulls on Wednesday in Ontario Hockey League action.Roberto Luongos interesting offseason took another turn as the Vancouver Canucks goaltender has switched agents. Earlier in the week, Luongo said goodbye to long-time agent Gillies Lupien and joined CAA Sports where he will be represented by Pat Brissson and J.ddddddddddddP. Barry. The 34-year-old netminder was the subject of trade rumours for over a year before Canucks general manager Mike Gillis dealt Cory Schneider to the New Jersey Devils during Junes NHL Entry Draft. ' ' '