Grieving Leicester wins for late owner

The smiles returned briefly to the faces of the Leicester soccer players Saturday 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 English Premier League match at Cardiff 1-0.

Tears shed by goalkeeper Kasper Schmeichel summed up the mood as a huge banner — a Thai flag with “RIP Vichai” and the Leicester badge — was unfurled before the game.

“That was a tough game, not just on the pitch, but mentally,” Schmeichel said. “I am proud of this team and the club — the way everyone has handled themselves has been unbelievable.”

Half a world away in Bangkok, an elaborate funeral for the Thai billionaire, with guests including top government officials, businessmen and other public figures, was being held.  Elsewhere in the EPL, James Milner scored his 50th league goal as Liverpool tied host Arsenal 1-1 to move one point ahead of second-place Manchester City . ... Seventhplace Manchester United came from behind to win at Bournemouth 2-1 . ... Tottenham moved within three points of thirdplace Liverpool after a 3-2 win at Wolverhampton.

 Luis Suarez scored two goals, including a 90thminute winner to cap a 3-2 comeback at Rayo Vallecano for Barcelona, which increased its Spanish league lead to four points over Atletico Madrid, which tied host Leganes 1-1 . ... Juventus maintained a six-point lead atop Italy’s Serie A after beating Cagliari 3-1. ... Freiburg striker Lucas Hoeler scored late to earn his team a 1-1 draw at Bayern Munich, which slipped four points behind Borussia Dortmund, a 1-0 winner at Wolfsburg, in the German Bundesliga.

Oli Scarff / AFP / Getty Images Leicester players hold a sign honoring late owner Vichai Srivaddhanaprabha.