Leicester start their healing process
Leicester paid an emotional tribute to Vichai Srivaddhanaprabha as the grief-stricken club won 1-0 at Cardiff following their owner’s tragic death last weekend, while Alexandre Lacazette’s late equaliser gave Arsenal a 1-1 draw against new Premier League leaders Liverpool on Saturday.
Thai billionaire Vichai was among five people killed when his helicopter crashed outside Leicester’s King Power Stadium following Leicester’s match against West Ham.
The horrific accident triggered a week of mourning in Leicester and around the world of football.
With Vichai’s funeral underway on Saturday in Bangkok, Leicester headed to Cardiff for a match that served as a chance to honour their late owner and begin the healing process.
While results have been rendered irrelevant by the crash, it was fitting that Leicester took the points in their first match since Vichai’s death, thanks to Demarai Gray’s second-half winner at the Cardiff City Stadium.
Leicester goalkeeper Kasper Schmeichel felt the tragedy more than most as he witnessed the immediate aftermath of the crash moments after the helicopter went down.
“It’s been a really tough week for everyone. The way everyone at the club handles themselves is a testament to the family Vichai built,” Schmeichel said.
“That took a lot. It has been an emotional day.
“I’m glad we got three points for him.
“I can’t imagine what his family are going through. We did it for him and his family.”
Leicester’s players had worn white T-shirts bearing Vichai’s image and the words “The Boss” during a pre-match warm-up.
A minute’s silence was impeccably observed, with a wreath laid on the pitch and images of Vichai shown on the scoreboards.
Leicester’s players and staff linked arms on the centre circle to pay tribute during a poignant silence that left Schmeichel in tears.
Claude Puel’s team, playing with poise and desire despite their traumatic week, finally had a cathartic moment in the 55th minute.
A superb cross from Ben Chilwell was finished off by Gray, who celebrated by lifting his shirt to reveal a message that read “For Vichai”.
It earned Gray a booking from referee Lee Probert in a move that followed the letter of the law, but showed little common sense given the circumstances.
Leicester’s players huddled together in celebration at fulltime, with many of them due to fly to Thailand to join Vichai’s funeral immediately after the game.
On any other weekend, the showdown between revitalised Arsenal and title-chasing Liverpool would have hogged the spotlight, which instead shone on Leicester.
The Emirates Stadium clash proved a classic encounter as Arsenal showed they are capable of going toe-to-toe with the top four after years of underachievement.