Monday 4 April 2016 10:55, UK
Claudio Ranieri praised Leicester City for their "fantastic effort" as they moved seven points clear at the top of the Premier League with victory over Southampton.
The Foxes emphasised their title credentials with a hard-fought 1-0 win courtesy of captain Wes Morgan's first goal of the season.
Leicester had to overcome a dogged display from Southampton but secured the victory that moved the club to within four wins of a maiden top-flight crown.
And Ranieri believes his players further answered any doubters by capitalising on Saturday's draw between nearest rivals Tottenham and Liverpool.
"It was a good answer to the Premier League because now everybody is waiting for us after the Liverpool v Tottenham draw," Ranieri said. "We gave a very good answer.
"I am very calm. We believe in what we are doing, we believe it's a magical season and believe next season won't be the same, but then we try.
"We try to do our best. Other teams can win 3-0, 4-0, we have to fight to win 1-0. We must be focused in our way."
The result was Leicester's fourth straight 1-0 win but Ranieri told Sky Sports he was satisfied with another slender victory.
"It was a fantastic effort because Southampton came here with a lot of confidence after their win against Liverpool," Ranieri said.
"They closed all the space behind them, with five at the back, three midfielders and with (Graziano) Pelle as the anchor man up front with (Sadio) Mane around him.
"We started well and wanted to score immediately but it was difficult after they kept possession.
"Mane had a fantastic chance but (Danny) Simpson made a fantastic save. We scored a goal and had another one or two chances to close the match but 1-0 was OK, we got a clean sheet and three points so step by step it was good."Ronald Koeman was aggrieved his side were denied a penalty on two occasions at the King Power Stadium, the first of which saw Simpson deny Mane's goal-bound effort with his arm shortly before Morgan's 38th-minute winner.
Asked whether he thought Simpson was lucky to escape punishment, Ranieri added: "The ball was very close to Simpson while he was running.
"If it doesn't touch his arm then it would have touched his flank. It is not as though his arm was far from the body, it was very close."
Southampton were unable to find a way through the Leicester defence as the Foxes held on for a win that left them on the brink of a most unlikely title success - but Ranieri sounded a final note of caution..
"I enjoy it a lot when we keep clean sheets, I am very happy," he said. "I enjoy every minute because we are dreaming.
"It is important for us to make a good performance because if we do, and win the match, we will be happier. It is important for us to take things step by step and focus on the next match.
"It is important for us to remain calm, to maintain our feet on the ground, train well and then concentrate during the match."
