Much as the established elite might like, Leicester City will just not go away. Robert Huth's bullet header brought a win to ricochet through the Premier League, re-establishing Claudio Ranieri's side as title contenders after three games without victory.

Importantly, they have gone joint-top of the division without Jamie Vardy and Riyad Mahrez firing on all cylinders in recent games. Instead, defensive stability has emerged. Where once Ranieri had to offer his players pizza as reward for a rare clean sheet, they have now not conceded in 297 minutes.

Here, Sportsmail looks at the tactical choices that lie behind Leicester's continued success.

Leicester's players celebrate in front of their travelling fans after scoring against Tottenham on Wednesday

Claudio Ranieri (left) has led Leicester to second in the Premier League, level on points with leaders Arsenal

Captain Morgan and Squarehead Huth

This centre-back duo are becoming one of the most dependable in the Premier League, forming a granite bond as if established over many years. Wes Morgan, £1million from Nottingham Forest in 2012, and Robert Huth, £3m from Stoke last summer, are a classic, no-nonsense paring perfectly suited to each other.

Both are experienced, aged 31, relying on strength and anticipation more than speed, meaning a deep defensive line. Balls are cleared out, rather than played out and bodies are flung in the way of shots.

Huth has made 143 clearances, Morgan 106 – the fourth and 16th highest totals in the division. Morgan has made 23 blocks and Huth 15 – the fourth and 15th largest numbers.

Morgan also reads the game well, making 56 interceptions this season, behind only seven others of any position.

Wes Morgan (right) battles with Tottenham striker Harry Kane during Leicester's 1-0 win at White Hart Lane

Leicester defender Huth celebrates after scoring his side's winner against Spurs late in the game

Drinkwater is no watercarrier

Perhaps overlooked is Danny Drinkwater's vital function in Leicester's midfield. The 25-year-old is the player who will release attackers more often than any other, crucial in the side's counter-attacking style.

He has made 979 passes this season, with 379 of those going forward – representing the large figure of 39 per cent. Only 139 go backwards – just 14 per cent.

Drinkwater's passing accuracy is relatively low at 78 per cent, but that is due to his risk-taking rather than ability, as his pedigree from Manchester United's academy attests. He releases the ball quickly time and again, catching opponents off guard. His pass to free N'Golo Kante against Spurs was superb.

Danny Drinkwater (left), pictured moving away from Spurs' Tom Carroll, has been instrumental for Leicester

Fuchs Gold

Christian Fuchs delivered the corner that Huth powered home for a second assist of the season, following on from his 'no-look' pass to set up Vardy against Manchester United.

Brought in on a free from Schalke last summer to provide expertise at left back, the Austrian has provided defensive solidity and attacking impetus.

He takes free-kicks with the hammer left boot and also is a threat from throw-ins, tossing the ball flat and long like only Rory Delap before him. That throw at White Hart Lane resulted in the corner from where Leicester scored.

Fuchs has created 14 chances – 16th most among defenders – resulting in those two assists, bettered only by four full backs, who have three. He has also made 48 interceptions – the 13th most among defenders.

Foxes defender Christian Fuchs (left) challenges Dele Alli for the ball during the first half at White Hart Lane

All-right Albrighton

An enduring image of Leicester's season has been Marc Albrighton on the left wing offering seemingly endless balls into the box. Ranieri has opted to play left-footed Mahrez on the right, and Albrighton vice versa so that the crosses swing in towards goal.

Albrighton, brought in on a free from Aston Villa in summer 2014, was a wing-back under Nigel Pearson but has been given greater attacking responsibility by the Italian.

Whenever he gets possession deep in the left channel, he will cut back and wrap his right foot around the ball. He has delivered 99 crosses in open play, the second most in the Premier League – one behind Dusan Tadic.

As a result, he can claim seven assists this season – a fine total.

Marc Albrighton (front), pictured evading Erik Lamela, has managed seven assists so far this season

Kasper the friendly goalkeeper

One of the most popular members of Leicester's squad, Kasper Schmeichel is becoming an exceptional Premier League No 1. At 30, he has shrugged off the shadow of his father to become a figurehead for his own team on a title charge.

His communication to the backline is important, while his shot-stopping has bailed out Leicester on numerous occasions. They have won by a solitary goal nine times this campaign.

Against Spurs he produced a wonderful stop from Harry Kane's effort and there was a similar-standard save against Kevin De Bruyne in the 0-0 with Manchester City. He has made 56 saves in all, the ninth-highest total in the division – which, considering Leicester are second, is highly creditable.

Foxes goalkeeper Kasper Schmeichel sends a shot from Harry Kane onto the bar during another good display

Commanding Kante

Bought for £5.6m from Caen last summer, the 24-year-old is a box-to-box midfielder like no other in the top flight.

The ground he covers is immense, often picking up the ball deep and driving into enemy territory, and his energy seems to know no bounds. The Battery, Ranieri calls him.

Kante is essential in breaking up play. He tops the charts for interceptions (83) and tackles (85). No player gets close to his industry. As the next best in each category, Idrissa Gana has 70 interceptions and Erik Pieters has 80 tackles.

N'Golo Kante (left), pictured challenging Kane, has made the most tackles and interceptions in the top-flight

Oh yes, and those two who have scored 28 goals between them…

While neither Vardy or Mahrez have scored since December 19, the duo remain huge influences on the team and system of play.

Ranieri identified Vardy in his first training sessions as the centre forward to lead his attack. The 29-year-old has a free role up front and sets the tone for the rest, pressing and harrying the opposition to win possession in the final third so there is less distance to travel to goal.

Vardy will also frequently look to run in behind, stretching opposing defences to give space to midfielders.

Mahrez, meanwhile, has been placed on the right wing – rather than the central position Pearson explored – so he can cut back on to his left and bend efforts in towards goal. He provides the magic touches to unlock defences and also buy his team time to reorganise.

The Algerian is by no means a luxury, however, he tracks back to defend like all his team-mates.

England forward Jamie Vardy bursts into the Tottenham box but is stopped by a tackle from Ben Davies