Leicester boosted their top four hopes with a 2-0 win over the Blades

LEICESTER, England (Reuters) – Leicester City boosted their hopes of finishing in the Premier League’s top four as goals from Ayoze Perez and substitute Demarai Gray secured a 2-0 win at home to Sheffield United on Thursday .

The result left Leicester in fourth place with 62 points from 36 games, three ahead of fifth-placed Manchester United, who visit Crystal Palace a game later, and one behind third-placed Chelsea.

Leicester centre-back Jonny Evans stressed the Foxes were looking to respond to a crushing 4-1 defeat at relegation-threatened Bournemouth on Sunday and praised 19-year-old debutant Luke Thomas, who set up the first empty

“It was very important, our heads went down after the second and third goals the other day against Bournemouth, it was important to be proud tonight,” Evans told Sky Sports.

“Thomas was outstanding and everything he did was immaculate, man of the match without a doubt. He trained really well and everyone was really impressed with him.”

Having won just one of their last six league games, Leicester needed a win to get back on track in their bid to secure a place in next season’s Champions League and they put in a dominant performance.

Perez put them ahead in the 29th minute with a clear low shot from 14 yards, thanks to a fine cut from Thomas, and Gray sealed the contest in the 79th minute with a clinical finish after a quick break.

The Foxes missed a number of chances to win by a wider margin as visiting goalkeeper Dean Henderson made a couple of reflex saves while top scorer Jamie Vardy hit the outside of the post shortly after the break.

The defeat means Sheffield United remain eighth on 54 points, two points behind sixth-placed Wolverhampton Wanderers, who occupy a Europa League qualification spot, after their timid performance ended a four-match run undefeated.

(Writing by Zoran Milosavljevic; Editing by Ken Ferris)