Riyad Mahrez's penalty brace puts Leicester top at Christmas with win over Everton

Leicester City will be top of the Premier League tree over Christmas after a Riyad Mahrez brace helped them to a 3-2 win at Everton.

Tim Howard barely had a save to make before a foul by Funes Mori on Shinji Okazaki allowed Mahrez to put Leicester ahead from the spot.

The lead lasted only five minutes before Romelu Lukaku scored in his seventh consecutive league game, smashing home after Ross Barkley’s strike was headed off the line.

A further Mahrez penalty and third from Shinji Okazaki gave Leicester breathing space before a late Kevin Mirallas strike gave Everton hope.

But Claudio Ranieri’s men held out and will top the table at Christmas no matter what Arsenal do against Manchester City on Monday night.

Leicester had not previously won at Everton for 30 years in the top flight, when Alan Smith and Gary McAllister scored the decisive goals.

27’ – GOAL! Everton 0-1 Leicester: A poor challenge from Funes Mori on Okazaki in the box and Riyad Mahrez slots home his 12th of the season.

32’ – GOAL! Everton 1-1 Leicester: Leicester’s lead is short lived. Barkley’s first effort is saved by Schmeichel and his subsequent effort is cleared off the line by King before Lukaku buries it for his eighth goal in seven Premier League games.

65’ – GOAL! Everton 1-2 Leicester: A second penalty for Leicester as Howard upends Vardy in the box. Mahrez does the rest, sending Howard the wrong way.

69’ – GOAL! Everton 1-3 Leicester: Vardy unselfishly passes to Okazaki who slots home after Coleman’s clearance is charged down.

89’ – GOAL! Everton 2-3 Leicester: Mirallas gives Everton late hope with a shot that creeps in at the near post.

Romelu Lukaku scores his 55th PL goal. In the last four PL seasons only one player has scored more: Sergio Aguero (62).

Claudio Ranieri's side are the division's leading scorers with 36 goals, all of which have come from inside the penalty area. The Foxes are the only side to have scored in every Premier League game this season.

Can Leicester really keep this run going? Top of the league at Christmas, they are the only side to score in every game this season. How long will this dream run last?

Riyad Mahrez (Leicester City): Scored a brace from the spot, setting up Vardy with a lovely pass for the second penalty. The in-form player in the Premier League.

Everton: Howard 5, Baines 6, Funes Mori 5, Stones 7, Coleman 7, Barry 6, Cleverley 6, Kone 5, Barkley 6, Deulofeu 6, Lukaku 7. Subs: Mirallas 7, Lennon 6.

Leicester: Schmeichel 7, Simpson 7, Morgan 6, Wasilewski 6, Fuchs 6, Mahrez 8, Kanté 6, King 6, Albrighton 6, Okazaki 7, Vardy 7. Subs: De Laet 6, Ulloa 6, Dyer 6.