Sunderland 0 Leicester 2: N'Golo Kante runs the show plus five other things learned from Foxes defeat

The England striker proved the difference with two coolly taken goals in the second half as the Foxes close in on their first ever top flight title.

For Sunderland, all eyes are now on the next fixture, away at relegation rivals Norwich City.

Here's what we learned from the Leicester defeat:

Passion and commitment can't be faulted. Decision making can.

This Sunderland side possess plenty of the fundamental characteristics lacked by Newcastle United: passion and commitment to the cause.

For the first hour, Sunderland were more than a match for the title-chasing Leicester, with Younes Kaboul dominating at the back, Wahbi Khazri a threat out wide and Jan Kirchhoff mopping up in the middle.

But once again they failed to convert several good openings, Fabio Borini and Jack Rodwell the biggest culprits.

The work rate and commitment to the cause cannot be questioned.

But the decision making at times is really poor and has cost them big points this season.

Too many passes went astray and coupled with poor finishing, it was a recipe for disaster.

Norwich City is a must-not lose so don't expect too many changes:

Next up for Sunderland is the make or break game at Carrow Road against 17th-placed Norwich City.

The Canaries are four points clear of Sunderland. It is a game they must win, and a game they cannot afford to lose.

Don't expect Sunderland to suddenly go gung-ho, though.

Allardyce has played three holding midfielders at home in the past eight days, so he is unlikely to go all out attack in Norfolk.

If Sunderland lose, Norwich would be seven points clear with just five games to go. Too big a gap to bridge.

Three points are a must but Allardyce will be conscious of leaving his side exposed.

Sunderland subs needed to be made earlier:

The warning signs were there against Leicester City. Sunderland had defended stoically for over an hour but after a breathless opening 45 minutes, both sides were tiring.

Allardyce needed to make his subs sooner than he did. It was too late when Jack Rodwell and Dame N'Doye came off the subs bench, Sunderland were already a goal down.

And after another costly miss by Rodwell, it would be no surprise to see the former Manchester City midfielder left on the bench next time.

What does Seb Larsson have to do to get some game time? His face doesn't seem to fit. But Sunderland may need his composure on the ball at Carrow Road.

Fans deserve better after another superb attendance.

The lunchtime Premier League clash was being shown live on television but that didn't stop another bumper crowd flocking to the Stadium of Light.

Considering where Sunderland are in the league, a crowd of 46, 531 is a remarkable figure.

And with Newcastle United also continuing to attract huge crowds despite the perilous situation both sides find themselves in, the level of support is fantastic.

Just imagine what would happen if either side had a little success on the pitch?

Jamie Vardy stole the headlines but N'Golo Kante ran the show:

Leicester City remain on course for the Premier League title after clinching their fifth-straight clean sheet and fifth-straight victory.

They deserve the title after a remarkable, fairytale season. And a major factor in their success has been French holding midfielder, N'Golo Kante.

He has won the plaudits of pundits and supporters all season and against Sunderland he showed exactly why. He was superb in the middle for Leicester.

Cool, calm and collected, he never panics, just intercepts the ball and sets Leicester on the attack. He covers a huge amount of ground too.

The star man and Leicester will do well to keep hold of him.

Jermain Defoe was poor but the other forwards have to step up to the plate.

Defoe was poor against Leicester. He was marshalled well by the giant Robert Huth and while Defoe gave as good as he got first half, he offered little attacking threat.

So with the club's top scorer having an off day, others had to step up. Fabio Borini took on the mantle but his finishing was poor.

He had several good chances but you never felt convinced he could put one away.

The time he blasted the ball into his own face summed up his own afternoon.

Dame N'Doye offered little from the bench and the lack of cutting edge and clinical finishing has become a major problem with time almost up.