PREMIER LEAGUE

BRENDAN RODGERS claimed that Leicester finally showed their “true face” for the first time since the restart as they booked a European spot.

But Blades boss Chris Wilder launched a blistering attack on his Sheffield United stars after they allowed the Foxes to keep their place in the top four.

Goals in either half – from Ayoze Perez and Demarai Gray – condemned Wilder’s side to their first loss in five games.

Wilder, who made three substitutions at the break, stormed: “The right result happened here and we were totally dominated.

“We were outbattled and out-thought in every aspect of the game. I don’t have the answers why – you had better ask the players.

“Maybe they thought, all of a sudden, they are top Premier League players and forgot what it takes to win a game at any level – that is what it looked like.

“I was not sat there with a big cigar, having turned over Chelsea and Wolves. Nothing changed in any shape or form in our approach. Maybe the players thought they had landed – but they haven’t.

“It is a performance which has baffled and bemused me. I won’t forget this.

“In my eyes, it feels like the worst performance of the season.”

The reaction of Foxes boss Rodgers to his team’s display was starkly different.

“I thought it was an outstanding team performance,” he said.

“Since we have come back from the lockdown, we haven’t done it for 90 minutes – until now.

“There was going to be a big question of us having to respond because we were too soft at Bournemouth. But we had the courage to play how we play and it was a brilliant reaction.

“We needed that response, we showed our true face tonight. We are in the position we are in because of many performances like that.

“When we sat down at the beginning of the season we said it would be a huge challenge to get into Europe.

“But to guarantee that in our first season is a phenomenal achievement. I tip my hat to the boys.”

Leicester’s victory kept them in fourth ahead of Manchester United, who visit the King Power Stadium on the final day of the season.

Blades’ outstanding, on-loan Old Trafford keeper Dean Henderson did his best to help his parent club.

But the Foxes had plenty of pace and creativity, including impressive teenager Luke Thomas, who made his debut at left wing-back.

And they finally made the breakthrough in the 29th minute after Thomas picked out Perez, who smashed a low, right-foot shot into the bottom corner.

The hosts also created plenty of other chances, with 23-goal Jamie Vardy hitting the post.

And Leicester finally made the points safe in the 79th minute when Vardy squared for Gray to bury a low, right-foot shot.