Claudio Ranieri says he felt 'lighter' after Spurs failed to beat West Brom

Leicester City manager Claudio Ranieri said he felt lighter after Tottenham Hotspur drew with West Bromwich Albion, to leave his team within touching distance of winning their first Premier League title.

Spurs were held to 1-1 by the Baggies at home on 25 April to leave them seven points behind Leicester with just three games remaining, which means that the Foxes can clinch the title with victory over Manchester United at Old Trafford on 1 May. Speaking at a promotional event on 26 April, Ranieri admitted he was relieved when the final whistle blew at White Hart Lane.

"I was a little more light, a little. But I said with my heart, we tried to do our best but if the others are better than us I want to say only congratulations to the others. But of course now we are there, we are very close, and we have to continue to fight," said the Italian.

Ranieri said that even he was struggling to believe the Foxes' dream of completing their surreal journey from 5,000-1 no-hopers to English champions is nearly reality.

"It's unbelievable what's happened this season," he said. "We start with the goal just to save the team, but slowly the players are getting better, believe in something special. Now they try to compete with the big teams. Now we are there, everyone to fight until the end.

Everybody says it's done, in my opinion no, the mathematics, I believe only in the mathematics. It's not important the name of your opponent, it's important what you do during the match and help each other."