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Leicester City 3-1 Everton

By Phil DawkesBBC Sport
Leicester 3-1 Everton: Ranieri tells fans 'keep dreaming, why wake up'

Champions Leicester comfortably beat Everton before being presented with the Premier League trophy during a day of celebrations at the King Power Stadium.

Jamie Vardy scored twice but missed out on a hat-trick by blazing a second penalty over the bar.

City's longest-serving player Andy King was also on the score-sheet with Kevin Mirallas netting Everton's consolation.

But this was almost a sideshow to the festivities for the Foxes' first top-flight title in their 132-year history.

Leicester City: Claudio Ranieri soaked in champagne by players

The celebrations included a pre-match performance from Italian tenor Andrea Bocelli in front of a sold-out stadium bedecked in banners declaring the club's new status as champions of England.

And then, once the game had finished, came the moment all connected with the club had been waiting for - the lifting of the Premier League trophy.

It was held aloft by captain Wes Morgan and manager Claudio Ranieri to a rapturous response from those inside the King Power Stadium and thousands more who had gathered outside the ground.

Celebration time

Andrea Bocelli and Claudio Ranieri
Andrea Bocelli (left) performed two songs prior to kick-off at the King Power Stadium

Saturday afternoon was billed as a title party, but for most inside the stadium the celebrations have been ongoing since Tottenham's draw at Chelsea confirmed the Foxes as the most remarkable of Premier League winners.

The City players themselves only returned to training for this fixture on Thursday after being given an extra day off to revel in their stunning triumph and presumably to fully recover from a rowdy Monday night at Jamie Vardy's house.

From the moment they emerged for their pre-match warm-up, they were cheered to the rafters by supporters who had begun to mass in the stadium hours earlier to enjoy a beer on the club and revel in its greatest moment.

So keen were the home fans to show their appreciation to Ranieri and his side that the Italian was forced to quieten them for the performance of Nessun Dorma by compatriot Bocelli, who received a huge ovation when he removed his tracksuit top to reveal a Leicester shirt beneath bearing his name.

But despite the carnival atmosphere and a guard of honour from their opponents there was no complacency from the Foxes, who provided a fast-paced and committed finale befitting the side with the best home record in the division.

Robert Huth tweet
Suspended Robert Huth made reference to John Terry joining the Chelsea celebrations in full kit for their Champions League win in 2012, despite being banned for the final

Jamie Vardy's having a party

If the rumoured Hollywood film of Vardy's life does come to pass it now has a superb ending, although it came within a few yards of the perfect denouement.

Having missed the last two games through suspension, the 29-year-old England striker returned to the starting XI and made an instant impact, scoring with what was his first meaningful touch to steer in from King's chipped delivery.

A constant menace to the Everton defence, his second came from the spot after he had been tripped by Matthew Pennington.

But with a dream scenario beckoning after Darron Gibson had clattered into Jeffrey Schlupp in the box, Vardy blasted his hat-trick chance high over the Everton bar from the spot.

With 24 goals for the season, Vardy is now one behind Tottenham's Harry Kane in the race to be Premier League top-scorer, although he has now had a hand in more top-flight goals this season than any other player (30).

Leicester City celebrate with the Premier League trophy
Leicester are the first club to win a maiden top-flight title in England since Nottingham Forest in 1978

Long live the King

Midfielder King is a one-club man, the longest serving member of the Leicester squad and sole survivor of the side that won promotion from League One in 2009.

His 334th career appearance only came about because of Danny Drinkwater's suspension, but the 27-year-old illustrated the reasons for his Foxes longevity with a dynamic and influential display.

After setting up the opener he was perfectly placed to latch on to a loose ball, following Riyad Mahrez's mazy run down the right, and fire his side into a commanding lead.

The goal was significant for another reason, as it took Leicester's all-time league goal difference to +1 - an apt time to go into the black.

Everton firmly in the background

Kevin Mirallas' goal for Everton
Kevin Mirallas gave the Everton fans something to cheer with a superb solo goal after coming on as a second-half substitute

Given the context of the day Everton were always in danger of being totally overshadowed, especially as they have little left to play for this season.

But while the Toffees may not have needed Saturday's points, their under-pressure manager Roberto Martinez was in dire need of a proud and professional performance from his side.

However, they were far too accommodating of their opponents in the first half, essentially extending their pre-match guard of honour to allow City a match-winning hold on the game before the break.

Leicester 3-1 Everton: Martinez 'incredibly disappointed' with display

They rallied slightly early in the second half, with Oumar Niasse and Romelu Lukaku drawing good saves from Kaspar Schmeichel.

But when Mirallas scored a superb solo goal, which saw him run from the halfway line before beating Schmeichel in the 87th minute, many of the visiting side already seemed to be eyeing a swift exit to allow the Leicester party to get under way.

Man of the match - Andy King (Leicester)

Andy King
King has served Leicester superbly in his career and contributed significantly to this win with an assist and a goal - the first time he has done this since April 2013

The stats you need to know

  • Leicester have taken 13 penalties this season; only one other side has taken as many in a Premier League season (Crystal Palace in 2004-05).
  • Leighton Baines made his 350th Premier League appearance.
  • The Foxes attempted 33 shots (including blocks) against Everton, which is their highest total against any opponent in the Premier League this season.
  • Two of Kevin Mirallas' three Premier League goals this season have come against Leicester.
  • Jamie Vardy has scored the opening goal of the game 12 times in the Premier League this season, more than any other player.

What next?

Leicester end their season with a trip to the team they have just deposed as Premier League champions, Chelsea.

Everton have two Premier League games remaining - away at Sunderland on Wednesday before a final-day home game against Norwich next Sunday.

Line-ups

Leicester

Formation 4-4-2

  • 1Schmeichel
  • 17Simpson
  • 27Wasilewski
  • 5Morgan
  • 28Fuchs
  • 26MahrezSubstituted forGrayat 90+1'minutes
  • 10King
  • 14Kanté
  • 11AlbrightonSubstituted forSchluppat 67'minutes
  • 20OkazakiSubstituted forUlloaat 62'minutes
  • 9Vardy

Substitutes

  • 13Amartey
  • 15Schlupp
  • 22Gray
  • 23Ulloa
  • 30Chilwell
  • 32Schwarzer
  • 33Inler

Everton

Formation 4-4-2

  • 1Robles
  • 8Oviedo
  • 5Stones
  • 38PenningtonBooked at 44mins
  • 3Baines
  • 12Lennon
  • 20BarkleySubstituted forOsmanat 81'minutes
  • 16McCarthy
  • 15CleverleyBooked at 49minsSubstituted forGibsonat 63'minutesBooked at 71mins
  • 14NiasseSubstituted forMirallasat 63'minutes
  • 10Lukaku

Substitutes

  • 4Gibson
  • 11Mirallas
  • 17Besic
  • 21Osman
  • 24Howard
  • 33Connolly
  • 51Dowell
Referee:
Andre Marriner
Attendance:
32,140

Match Stats

Home TeamLeicesterAway TeamEverton
Possession
Home41%
Away59%
Shots
Home31
Away9
Shots on Target
Home8
Away5
Corners
Home12
Away4
Fouls
Home4
Away12

Live Text

  1. Post update

    Match ends, Leicester City 3, Everton 1.

  2. Full Time

    Second Half ends, Leicester City 3, Everton 1.

  3. Post update

    Corner, Leicester City. Conceded by Joel Robles.

  4. Post update

    Attempt saved. Demarai Gray (Leicester City) right footed shot from the right side of the box is saved in the bottom right corner. Assisted by N'Golo Kanté.

  5. Post update

    Attempt missed. Leonardo Ulloa (Leicester City) header from the centre of the box is high and wide to the right. Assisted by Demarai Gray with a cross following a corner.

  6. Post update

    Corner, Leicester City. Conceded by James McCarthy.

  7. Substitution

    Substitution, Leicester City. Demarai Gray replaces Riyad Mahrez.

  8. Post update

    Attempt blocked. Christian Fuchs (Leicester City) right footed shot from the left side of the box is blocked. Assisted by Riyad Mahrez with a cross.

  9. Post update

    Attempt blocked. Andy King (Leicester City) left footed shot from the centre of the box is blocked.

  10. Post update

    Corner, Leicester City. Conceded by John Stones.

  11. Goal!

    Goal! Leicester City 3, Everton 1. Kevin Mirallas (Everton) right footed shot from the centre of the box to the bottom right corner. Assisted by Darron Gibson.

  12. Post update

    Attempt missed. Andy King (Leicester City) header from the left side of the six yard box is close, but misses to the left. Assisted by Riyad Mahrez with a cross following a corner.

  13. Post update

    Corner, Leicester City. Conceded by Joel Robles.

  14. Post update

    Attempt missed. Leonardo Ulloa (Leicester City) header from the centre of the box is just a bit too high. Assisted by Christian Fuchs with a cross.

  15. Post update

    Attempt blocked. Riyad Mahrez (Leicester City) left footed shot from outside the box is blocked. Assisted by Andy King.

  16. Post update

    Offside, Leicester City. Kasper Schmeichel tries a through ball, but Jamie Vardy is caught offside.

  17. Post update

    Attempt missed. Andy King (Leicester City) header from very close range misses to the right. Assisted by Leonardo Ulloa following a corner.

  18. Post update

    Attempt missed. Leonardo Ulloa (Leicester City) header from the centre of the box is close, but misses to the left. Assisted by Christian Fuchs with a cross following a corner.

  19. Post update

    Corner, Leicester City. Conceded by John Stones.

  20. Post update

    Foul by Kevin Mirallas (Everton).

As It Stood

TeamPWDLFAGDPts
1Leicester372311367353280
2Tottenham361913467283970
3Arsenal361910759342567
4Man City361971068383064
5Man Utd36189944311363
6West Ham361514761471459
7Southampton361691153391457
8Liverpool3515101059481155
9Chelsea361212125751648
10Stoke37139153954-1548
11Swansea371210154151-1046
12Everton361014125652444
13Watford35128153642-644
14Crystal Palace37119173847-942
15West Brom371012153347-1442
16Bournemouth37119174464-2042
17Sunderland36811174360-1735
18Newcastle37810193964-2534
19Norwich3687213562-2731
20Aston Villa3738262772-4517
View full Premier League table

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