Shinji Okazaki's overhead kick gave leader Leicester a 1-0 victory over Rafa Benitez's Newcastle Monday, a goal as spectacular as his team's improbable Premier League title challenge. As Leicester restored its five-point lead at the summit over Tottenham with eight games remaining, former Real Madrid and Liverpool coach Benitez made a losing start to his reign as Newcastle manager. Newcastle is facing relegation, one point from safety, while Leicester is on track for a first-ever league title a year after being bottom of the standings before narrowly avoiding the drop. "We had to dig in today," Leicester captain Wes Morgan told British broadcaster Sky Sports. "It wasn't a pretty game but the most important thing is we came out with the three points." Okazaki's fifth goal of the league campaign came from Leicester's only shot on target in the 25th minute. Newcastle failed to clear Riyad Mahrez's free kick and when Marc Albrighton sent the ball back in, Jamie Vardy headed across for Okazaki to execute the acrobatic finish from six yards. "A special goal and a special moment," midfielder Danny Drinkwater said. "We got the goal and sat back." Leicester, which travels to Crystal Palace Saturday, has now won 12 games by a one-goal margin this season. "It wasn't one of our best performances but we showed a fantastic spirit," Leicester manager Claudio Ranieri said. The slender victories mean Leicester can prepare for Champions League football for the first time next season. Leicester has lost only three times in 30 games and is 12 points ahead of fourth-place Manchester City, which has a game in hand. Newcastle's next challenge in the relegation fight is a north-east derby Sunday against fellow struggler Sunderland. Granada gifts Espanyol draw A late defensive blunder saw 10-man Granada gift Espanyol a 1-1 draw in the Spanish league Monday. Granada was reduced to 10 men after 28 minutes when David Barral was sent off for a second yellow card when he raised his hand to Espanyol striker Gerard Moreno's face. Granada went ahead in the 40th minute when Ruben Rochina pounced on a cross by Isaac Success that came back off a defender. Granada hung on until the 82nd when defender Miguel Lopes put the ball past his own goalkeeper Andres Fernandez who was caught out of position. The point moved Granada to 17th, one above Getafe in the first relegation place on goal difference, with Espanyol in 14th. FA Cup semis Watford's reward for knocking out FA Cup holder Arsenal is a semifinal date with Crystal Palace, while Everton will take on Manchester United or West Ham in the other tie at Wembley. After handing Arsenal its first FA Cup defeat since February 2013 with a surprise 2-1 victory in the quarterfinals at the Emirates Stadium, Monday's semifinal draw pitted Watford against fellow Premier League side Palace. Both ties will be played at Wembley on the weekend of April 23/24. — Agencies
