LEICESTER CITY have won the Premier League title after Tottenham gave up a two-goal lead to draw at Chelsea
Claudio Ranieri’s men, 5,000-1 outsiders at the start of the season, secured the championship with two games to spare as Spurs caved in to Chelsea’s second half onslaught to draw 2-2 at Stamford Bridge.
It completes a remarkable fairytale for the east Midlands club who have gone from relegation contenders to champions in the space of 12 months.
Leicester’s stars celebrated together at the home of striker Jamie Vardy where they all watched the action unfold in west London.
Leicester supporters gathered outside the King Power Stadium to party last night
Leicester fans party as they celebrate becoming Premier League champions
And boss Ranieri flew back early from a visit to see his mother in Rome to be near his players and Leicester officials while Chelsea and Spurs did battle.
Striker Jamie Vardy said: “It’s an unbelievable feeling, I’ve never known anything like it. We were scrapping to stay in the league last season and on Saturday we’ll be lifting the trophy. That gives you an idea of how much hard work has gone into this season from every single player and member of staff.
“It’s the biggest achievement in the history of a great club and we all feel privileged to be part of it. It’s even more special to have done it with these lads. Every minute of hard work we’ve put in on the training pitch has been worth it for this moment.”
Foxes captain Wes Morgan added: “It’s the best feeling of my career and I couldn’t be prouder that it’s as part of this team. Everyone’s worked so hard for this, nobody believed we could do it, but here we are, Premier League champions and deservedly so.
“I’ve never known a spirit like the one between these boys, we’re like brothers. People saw it last season when everyone expected us to be relegated, but we fought back to prove people wrong. This season’s been a continuation of that. We’ve built on the momentum, but I don’t think anyone believed it would come to this.
“Saturday can’t come quickly enough. I can’t wait to get my hands on the trophy.”
Andy King: “I thought I’d seen everything with this club, but I never thought I’d see this. It’s difficult to put into words. The players deserve it, the gaffer and the staff deserve it, and the fans deserve it. It’s been an unbelievable season.
"The story of where this team has come from to get to this point has been all over the world recently and I think the lads deserve great credit for the way they’ve taken it in their stride, stayed focused and kept delivering results – especially with a great side like Spurs chasing us so hard. We’ve been so consistent and just determined not to let the opportunity pass us by. We deserve this.
Leicester had missed out on the chance to secure the title on Sunday when they drew 1-1 at Manchester United knowing victory would be enough for glory.
But though they have now hit the jackpot without kicking a ball, there were no unhappy faces among the squad put together for just £31million that has shocked the footballing world.
Former Chelsea and Tottenham player Scott Parker said: Parker added: “It’s inspirational, it’s quite incredible
“From the outset Claudio has done a remarkable job. He’s taken the pressure off his squad, it’s only been the last two weeks he has mentioned the title.
“He has taken the pressure right off the players
“He is a lovely man, an honoiurable man, a moral man and he deserves it all.
“I have no doubt he will be in floods of tears. He’s a steely man, an honourable man and absolutelyt over the moon for him.
“This is not just a one-off game, this is a season. Inspirational, incredible.”
Sky sports pundit Jamie Carragher said: “In the management game there are very few who have the respect, but Ranieri has been one of those managers who has been round for 20-odd years, finally now he might get the recognition he deserves.
“He’s put himself up there he will never ever be forgotten. This story will be told, maybe even in a hundred years time.
"It’s the greatest achievement in the history of our game, it’s unprecedented. It’s just so rare.”
Parker says boss Ranieri has gone full circle from the one he worked under at Stamford Bridge.
Parker said: “The thing with Claudio was that he was so unpredictable back then at Chelsea, you never knew what side he was going to play.
“You could do really well and win 4-0 one week, but then you are not involved in the next game.
“Now he’s come full circle at Leicester. If anything he has become the most predictable manager because you know how he is going to set up.
“But there were seeds in in the way he asked us to play at Chelsea in the way he has got Leicester playing this season.”
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