LEICESTER’S FAIRYTALE RISE from relegation candidates to Premier League title contenders hit a new high on Saturday with a 3-1 win at Manchester City that cemented their hold on first place in the table.
Here AFP Sports looks at five key matches in an incredible season for Claudio Ranieri’s side:
Leicester 4 Sunderland 2, 8 August
A sign of things to come at the King Power Stadium as Ranieri, a surprise choice to replace Nigel Pearson, won the first match of his reign. The Foxes were three up in 25 minutes and in a sight that would become increasingly familiar it was goals from Jamie Vardy and Riyad Mahrez that did the damage.
Leicester 3 Aston Villa 2, 13 September
The never-say-die spirit Ranieri had imbued in his squad was personified by a performance in which they scored three times in the final 18 minutes to come from 2-0 down against Villa. It was one of many unlikely come from behind performances from the Foxes in the first half of the season.
Leicester 2 Chelsea 1, 14 December
With critics doubting whether Leicester could last the pace in the title race, Ranieri’s men showed their bubble wasn’t going to burst any time soon. Vardy and Mahrez, both on target again, gave the Chelsea defence a torrid time and then-Chelsea boss Jose Mourinho was sacked just days later.
Tottenham 0 Leicester 1, 13 January
After a potentially damaging slump over the Christmas period, Leicester returned to form as Robert Huth’s goal seven minutes from time earned the visitors a crucial three points against their fellow title contenders.
Manchester City 1 Leicester 3, 6 February
This was supposed to be the day that Manuel Pellegrini’s men asserted their control in the title race. Instead they were stunned by Leicester’s powerful counter-attacking football as two goals from Huth and a brilliant individual effort from Mahrez condemned them to defeat.
