Leicester City missed out on a place in next season’s Champions League after losing 4-2 in a thrilling match against Tottenham at the King Power Stadium on Sunday.
The Action: Starting the last round of fixtures in fifth place, Brendan Rodgers' men knew they needed a win if they wanted to keep their hopes for a Champions League spot alive.
It was a dream start for the Foxes, however, as Toby Alderweireld caught Jamie Vardy around the ankles and the striker fired home from the penalty spot with 18 minutes on the clock.
Before half-time, a scramble in the box ended with Harry Kane scoring a clinical volley to level the game.
With Chelsea losing at Villa Park, Leicester took the lead again through Vardy to put them within touching distance of a top-four spot.
However, in the 77th minute, the nightmare began. The rot set in with an own goal from Kasper Schmeichel, the Leicester keeper punching a corner into his own net under pressure to make the score 2-2.
It went from bad to worse for the Foxes in the final stages, as substitute Gareth Bale scored a brace to complete their misery.
The Big Picture: It was a fittingly exciting finale for the final day of the Premier League, but a crushing blow for Leicester who finished fifth in the table to miss out on Champions League football next season - the Foxes destined for the Europa League with Liverpool and Chelsea finishing third and fourth respectively.
Tottenham ended up seventh and will play the new European Conference League in 2021/22.
Man of the Match: Jamie Vardy. Regardless of the result, the 34-year-old Vardy was inspirational - twice finding the net on a day when things ultimately didn't go Leicester's way. A superb performance despite the result.
Expected Goals: Leicester (1.98) 2-4 (2.13) Tottenham
Stat of the Day: Harry Kane secured the Premier League Golden Boot with his 23rd goal of the season - winning the accolade for the third time. Only Thierry Henry (4), Alan Shearer (3) and now Kane have won the award 3+ times.
"I'm not thinking about anything else other than Wales"
— Sky Sports Premier League (@SkySportsPL) May 23, 2021
Gareth Bale refuses to speak about his future and says it will be decided after #Euro2020 pic.twitter.com/l7BbwSJyL2
2-4 | ||
Jamie Vardy 18' (pen.) 52' (pen.) Kasper Schmeichel 76' (o.g.) | Harry Kane 41' Gareth Bale 87' 90' |
