Chelsea 1 City 1
Report by Kate Thompson
Like all Leicester City fans, it is only now beginning to sink in that we are the Premier League champions, after being tipped for relegation by practically every so-called pundit. They have won with style and panache, and won millions of friends all over the world as a result. However, this report is about the final match – there will no doubt be another opportunity to wax lyrical!
The City fans had a lovely welcome from Chelsea football club, being congratulated and given a postcard; there were posters in the stadium also congratulating the team. We had yet another goody bag from the club containing a wig, two blow-up ‘batons’, a large flag, together with another flag to wave.
To my astonishment we were sitting very near the vice chairman who chose (presumably) to watch the last game with the fans – together with his very large entourage, two of whom were huge!
As expected, the team walked onto the pitch through a guard of honour provided by the Chelsea players and Ranieri was presented with what looked like a silver plate.
There were two changes to the usual team, with Okasaki dropped to the bench and Demarai Gray up front with Vardy; we were willing the latter to score at least one goal to draw level with Harry Kane. Wasolowski deputised for the suspended Robert Huth and Andy King was preferred to Marc Albrighton, no doubt because of his excellent performance against Everton.
I was pleased to hear Ranieri say that he wanted the team to show why they are champions and, although they did not start at the same cracking pace that we have got used to, they still looked as if they wanted to win the match. Chelsea seemed the more likely for the first part of the game but City gradually grew into the match and began to show why they have won the league by ten points.
In all honesty, Chelsea should have scored on more than one occasion but Schmeichel was inspired, perhaps because he still had hopes of winning the ‘Golden glove’ if he kept a clean sheet. Some of his saves were magnificent and he was my man of the match. The first half was pretty even with Vardy having a chance when one on one, which was smothered. We had a bit of luck when the ball struck Fuchs’ arm in the penalty area but fortunately the referee waved play on.
City brought on two substitutes after half-time, Albrighton for King and Okasaki for Gray; neither had played badly, just the opposite, but Ranieri chose to change his formation.
The second half continued in much the same way with both teams having shots which were saved, until Chelsea were awarded a penalty. Because it was at the far end from the City fans, I had to wait to see what had happened. Schlupp slipped in the area and was adjudged to have brought down Matic, a harsh decision. As Schmeichel has yet to save a penalty, to the best of my knowledge, the inevitable goal from Fabregas duly came.
However, City continued to press and in the 82nd minute Drinkwater scored a lovely goal from about 25 yards out. Sadly, Vardy failed to score, despite some decent efforts, and failed to catch Kane who had scored one more goal. If only Jamie hadn’t skied that second penalty against Everton!
The players and backroom staff came over to the City fans at the end of the match and there was another nice touch from Chelsea when they congratulated Robert Huth and Steve Walsh (senior), both of whom had been connected with Chelsea. So this wonderful, amazing season came to an end and we look forward to seeing Drinkwater and Vardy performing for England in the European tournament.
City: Schmeichel, Simpson, Wasilewski, Morgan (c), Fuchs, Drinkwater, Kanté, King (Schlupp 46), Mahrez (Albrighton 80), Gray (Okazaki 46), Vardy. Subs (not used): Schwarzer, Amartey, Chilwell, Ulloa
GOAL: Drinkwater 82
Chelsea: Courtois, Ivanovic (c) (Tomori 60), Cahill, Azpilicueta, Baba, Fabregas, Hazard, Traore (Abraham 53), Pedro (Loftus-Cheek 53), Matic, Willian. Subs (not used): Begovic, Oscar, Pato, Kenedy
GOAL: Fabregas pen 66
ATTENDANCE: 41,494 REFEREE: Craig Pawson
The views expressed in this report are the opinions of the Trust member nominated to file the report only and do not represent the views of the Foxes Trust organisation