7 Defining games in Leicester’s bid for the Premier League title
LEICESTER are on the verge of winning the Premier League title. There have been a number of games along the way that have put Claudio Ranieri’s side on course for the crown, notably the 22 wins already notched up this term prior to yesterday’s game at Old Trafford.
However, for differing reasons, some matches were more important than others.
We’ve collected those matches together here, with the exclusion of wins over reigning champions Chelsea, nearest challengers Tottenham and 18-time league winners Liverpool among them, highlighting just what an extraordinary season it’s been for the Foxes.
LEICESTER 4-2 SUNDERLAND
This win on the opening day of the season set the tone for what was to come – with lots of goals, including one for Jamie Vardy and a brace for Riyad Mahrez. It also went some way to beginning to silence those with doubts about the appointment of Ranieri over the summer.
LEICESTER 3-2 ASTON VILLA
Five games into the season Leicester found themselves trailing 2-0 in this Midlands derby. Yet somehow they found a way to win, ultimately running out 3-2 winners. They would go on to come from behind numerous times over the season and this was one of the early games that gave them belief that that they always could.
LEICESTER 2-5 ARSENAL
Leicester’s first defeat of the season came against the side many thought would win the title and when that first defeat came it was heavy. Alexis Sanchez scored a hattrick for the visitors to the King Power that afternoon. But it would prove the catalyst for a change from Ranieri from which he hasn’t looked back. The Italian coach radically changed his back four, bringing in Danny Simpson and Christian Fuchs for Ritchie de Laet and Jeffrey Schlupp. They’ve since been one of the meanest defences in the division.
LEICESTER 1-1 MAN UNITED This was the day Vardy broke the Premier League record for scoring in consecutive games, with the former Fleetwood Town player finding the net in his 11th straight game. An incredible personal achievement for Vardy, but that November afternoon also proved that the seemingly impossible could come true.
EVERTON 2-3 LEICESTER With five of the last six title winners being top of the table at Christmas it’s understandable that any side sitting at the top of the tree when pulling crackers that they will think they’re in with a pretty good chance. So when a Mahrez double and Shinji Okazaki goal secured all three points at Goodison Park and they knew they were two points above second place Arsenal on 25 December, things were looking good.
MAN CITY 1-3 LEICESTER
They were top of the league, had beaten Liverpool 2-0 in the previous fixture and it was February - but still people didn’t quite believe. After this they did. A truly incredible performance against the side who at that point were just three points behind in second place. Mahrez was again on the scoresheet with Robert Huth scoring the other two before a late consolation from Sergio Aguero.
SUNDERLAND 0-2 LEICESTER
With talk of the title in football circles, most Leicester fans were still concerned about simply qualifying for the Champions League. With this win, thanks to a Vardy double at the Stadium of Light, a place in the top four was assured. After this it was time to set a new target – the title.