April 2 (Reuters) - Leicester City striker Kelechi Iheanacho
was named the Premier League player of the month for March while
Chelsea manager Thomas Tuchel claimed the manager's award for
the first time, the league announced on Friday.
Iheanacho scored five goals in three games last month,
including a hat-trick in a 5-0 demolition of Sheffield United,
as Leicester maintained their grip on third place and Champions
League qualification.
"I'm so pleased and honoured to win this award," he told the
club's website. "I'm really enjoying playing at the minute and
hopefully I can push on and help the team to finish as high as
possible this season."
Tuchel, who was appointed by Chelsea in January as Frank
Lampard's replacement, is yet to lose a game. Since Tuchel took
charge, Chelsea have climbed from eighth in the standings to
fourth and sit five points behind Leicester.
The London club beat Liverpool at Anfield and Everton last
month and did not concede a single goal in three games.
"I'm really happy to have received this award and I believe
it is a great achievement for everybody at the club who is
involved in putting the team together to play each week," Tuchel
said.
"I want to acknowledge the hard work of the players who have
given me their maximum efforts and commitment since I arrived
and we hope we can keep this strong run going until the very end
of the season."