Leicester missed out on the Champions League for a second successive season after a 4-2 defeat to Tottenham on the final day saw them finish in fifth, while Spurs secured their European place.
The Foxes needed results to go their way elsewhere, but had to secure their own victory first to ensure the best possible chance of finishing in the top four.
It began well for them too as Leicester were awarded a penalty inside 15 minutes. Toby Alderweireld caught Jamie Vardy around the ankles, and the striker fired home from the spot (18). But just before half-time, Harry Kane (41) finished superbly to secure his third Premier League Golden Boot – the joint-highest number of wins in history with Thierry Henry and Alan Shearer – in possibly his last game for Tottenham.
The second half followed a similar pattern. Leicester were awarded a second penalty shortly after the break, won by Vardy again after a tangle with Davinson Sanchez. The striker scored in an almost identical fashion too, slotting home another confident penalty (52).
With Chelsea trailing Aston Villa and Leicester ahead, they were in pole position to finish in the Champions League places, but a late flurry from Tottenham condemned the Foxes to the Europa League. The second equaliser was a bizarre moment as a Heung-Min Son corner defected off Kasper Schmeichel’s hand (76) and into the back of the net.
With Chelsea trailing Aston Villa and Leicester ahead, they were in pole position to finish in the Champions League places, but a late flurry from Tottenham condemned the Foxes to the Europa League. The second equaliser was a bizarre moment as a Heung-Min Son corner defected off Kasper Schmeichel’s hand (76) and into the back of the net.
There were a few half chances for both sides in the early exchanges, but VAR soon showed itself. Vardy burst into the area and was caught by a dangling leg from Alderweireld. Referee Anthony Taylor initially waved away the claims but when play came to a halt, VAR reviewed the decision and sent Taylor to the screen.
After a brief look, the penalty decision was overturned as Vardy lined the ball. He sent Hugo Lloris the way wrong way with a confident penalty, scoring just his third goal in 27 games since Christmas.
But shortly after, Leicester suffered another defensive injury blow as Wesley Fofana was substituted. Having already been without Jonny Evans prior to the game, Wilfred Ndidi dropped back into the defence as Nampalys Mendy came on in midfield.
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