Leicester striker Jamie Vardy the difference, says Sunderland boss Sam Allardyce

Jamie Vardy was the main difference between the sides after Leicester beat Sunderland 2-0 at the Stadium of Light on Sunday, according to manager Sam Allardyce.

The England international scored a second-half double to move Leicester to within touching distance of a first-ever Premier League title.

However, Sunderland's defeat kept them in the relegation zone, four points from Norwich City and safety, albeit having played a game less than their rivals.

"We did not pass it nearly as good as we can and I think that was our main problem today, not Leicester," said Allardyce.

"Because we kept losing the ball in good areas and did not pass it anywhere near as good as we can. Leicester were good and well organised, but I cannot see them shutting us down any better than any other team.

"But it was nothing like the passing game we showed against West Brom, so we struggled then to create any real chances.

"Having said that, neither did Leicester. And then we switch off once and our defence allows Jamie Vardy to do what we had said was his main strength is.

"And unfortunately at that stage of the game, with it in the balance, we were not ready for it. He does what every good top goalscorer does and that is why Leicester are top of the league, he scores it."

Allardyce was most annoyed with how his players reacted to falling midway through the second half.

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"And that is then the difference between the two teams for me," he added. "The disappointing thing is how we then reacted to that. I thought we were very poor after that, apart from Jack Rodwell, who should have scored.

"If you look at that situation then, back to 1-1, clear-cut chance put over the bar. What happens in the last five to 10 minutes is that you have to throw caution to the wind then and try and get back in and they did create two or three chances after that.

"But I am really disappointed about letting Leicester in as easily as we did, particularly for the first goal."

The Sunderland boss puts his side's nervous display down to the pressure they are under as the season reaches its climax, especially after the number of points they have dropped in recent weeks.

"We were nervous today, more nervous than before because of how big the game was and it is a legacy of not picking up the points when you should have done," he said.

"Games running out and extra pressure because we did not win against West Brom, Newcastle and Sunderland. And the extra pressure caused us to do the wrong things in the last 10 or 15 minutes to try and get back into the game.

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"Other than that, I can accept we did not pass it quite as well, but we were always in the game and Leicester were not really any better than we were. It was a scrappy game and they are much better at digging it out than we are.

"And that is why they are where they are and if they get a chance they score, while we do not."