Tuesday 29 December 2015 23:59, UK
Claudio Ranieri was delighted with how his Leicester City side bounced back from Boxing Day’s defeat at Liverpool to earn a hard-fought point with a goalless draw against Manchester City.
The Foxes lost their 10-game unbeaten record with a 1-0 defeat at Anfield on Saturday, but head in to the New Year level on points with Arsenal at the top of the Premier League table after a resolute display at the King Power Stadium.
Leicester survived several spells of pressure and created chances of their own in a game where both sides cancelled each other out, with Ranieri pleased with the reaction from his team.
"It was a good performance for us," Ranieri told a post-match press conference. "I wanted a reaction after the Liverpool defeat and the reaction was good.
"We played calm, we tried to do our job and tried to win the match. We created chances but also Manchester City created chances. So I think at the end the draw is right."
A draw completes a remarkable 12 months for Leicester, who came in to 2015 at the foot of the Premier League but remain very much title contenders at the midway point of the season.
Although his side missed out on the chance to move back outright league leaders and have now failed to score in consecutive matches, Ranieri still feels Leicester still have plenty to be encouraged by during the second half of the campaign.
"This league is very crazy," Ranieri added. "I think the big teams have to stay at a high level, but sometimes it means nobody wants to win the league - it's very strange this league.
"It's not easy for us but we want to fight with everybody. It's a miracle what we're doing; I'd love this to continue but it's not easy. I'd like my players to continue to fight like today.
"It's fantastic. I can only say well done to our players and our fans are unbelievable, they support us and they push us.
"There is a positive mentality to try and win against everybody. I think 2015 was fantastic for Leicester and I hope also 2016 could be better."
