Boss Brendan Rodgers praised Leicester’s desire after a crucial win over Crystal Palace kept their Champions League dream on track.

Kelechi Iheanacho’s 17th goal of the season – his 14th in his last 14 games – earned a battling 2-1 win after the Eagles gave the hosts a scare.

Wilfried Zaha put Palace in front before Timothy Castagne and Iheanacho struck to move Leicester seven points clear of fifth-placed West Ham in the Premier League.

It was in danger of becoming a frustrating night for the hosts before Iheanacho collected Evans’ long ball, cut inside Scott Dann and blasted past a static Guaita from an angle with 10 minutes left.

“At half-time I thought we might go on to win,” said Palace boss Roy Hodgson, with the Eagles 13th.

“It was a bit of a disappointment to leave here with nothing.

“If we hadn’t conceded the goal so early in the second half, our confidence would have been high. The equaliser came too early after half-time.

“We didn’t get enough time to enjoy the fact we were leading. I honestly thought we’d see the game through but I was wrong.

“We fell foul to a wonderful Iheanacho strike 10 minutes from the end.”