Leicester’s victory ‘For Khun Vichai’
The smiles returned briefly to the faces of Leicester’s players yesterday following the most traumatic week of their careers.
In its first game since the death of club owner Vichai Srivaddhanaprabha in a helicopter crash last weekend, Leicester won an emotional and highly charged English Premier League match at promoted Cardiff 1-0.
‘‘That was a tough game, not just on the pitch, but mentally,’’ goalkeeper Kasper Schmeichel said. ‘‘I am proud of this team and the club, the way everyone has handled themselves has been unbelievable.’’
The players gathered together after the game behind a ‘‘Thank you Vichai’’ banner bearing the late chairman’s image.
James Milner scored his 50th league goal as Liverpool drew at Arsenal 1-1 to move one point clear of second-placed Manchester City. City played Southampton this morning.
Manchester United manager Jose Mourinho called himself ‘‘the luckiest manager in the Premier League’’ after his seventh-place side came from behind to win at Bournemouth 2-1. Mourinho called his team’s first-half display a ‘‘disaster.’’
Tottenham, in fourth position, moved within three points of Liverpool despite conceding two second-half penalties in a 3-2 win at Wolverhampton.
Newcastle claimed its first league victory in 11 games by defeating Watford 1-0. Everton downed Brighton 3-1, and West Ham swept past Burnley 4-2.
The tears shed by Schmeichel summed up the mood at Cardiff as a huge banner, a Thai flag with ‘‘RIP Vichai’’ and the Leicester badge, was unfurled before the game.
Somehow, Schmeichel and his team-mates managed to put their collective grief to one side to focus on football for 90 minutes and grind out a victory.
Demarai Gray scored with a low finish in the 55th and celebrated by removing his jersey to reveal an undershirt on which was written ‘‘For Khun Vichai.’’ He was promptly booked by referee Lee Probert.
The Leicester fans sang Vichai’s name for the rest of the afternoon and, at the final whistle, the visiting players came together to embrace.
Liverpool and fifth-place Arsenal had a first-half goal disallowed for offside in an entertaining clash at Emirates Stadium.
Milner eventually gave Liverpool the lead on the hour after goalkeeper Bernd Leno spilled a cross, but Alexandre Lacazette equalised with a curling shot in the 82nd minute after good work by the impressive Alex Iwobi.
Goals from Erik Lamela, Lucas Moura and Harry Kane appeared to put Tottenham Hotspur in an unassailable position at Wolverhampton Wanderers.
The home team, though, caused an attack of the jitters for Tottenham after narrowing the deficit to 3-2 with penalties from Ruben Neves and Raul Jimenez.
Brazil forward Richarlison struck twice in Everton’s win against Brighton, and Felipe Anderson’s double guided West Ham to victory over Burnley.