LONDON (AFP) - Napoli sent Leicester crashing out of the Europa League as the Italian side advanced to the knockout stages with a 3-2 win in a dramatic conclusion to Group C on Thursday (Dec 9). Leicester were top of the group going into the final round of matches, but Brendan Rodgers' team were condemned to an unwanted place in the Europa Conference League after the defeat in Naples dropped them to third place. Napoli had blown a two-goal lead as Leicester hit back to level by half-time, but Eljif Elmas's second goal of the game won it for the hosts after the interval. Spartak Moscow finished top of the group after a 1-0 win at Legia Warsaw, secured by Zelimkhan Bakaev's 17th-minute goal. Leicester would have salvaged their Europa League place if Legia's Tomas Pekhart hadn't missed a stoppage-time penalty. Napoli ended in second place, two points ahead of Leicester, and will feature in the Europa League knockout round play-offs in February. Continuing a disappointing season for the FA Cup holders, Leicester now have the unwanted burden of playing in the knockout play-off round of Europe's least glamourous club competition when it resumes in the new year. "I've got to be honest I don't even know what the competition is," Rodgers said of the Europa Conference League. "I was focused on the Europa League and winning this group and at the very least finishing second. But I am sure we will find out soon enough." Seven Leicester players and three staff members missed the trip to Italy, with Rodgers revealing both positive Covid-19 cases and other illnesses had depleted his squad. He was still able to name eight of the team beaten by Aston Villa last weekend, in contrast to Napoli, who are in the midst of a major injury crisis which deprived them of Victor Osimhen, Kalidou Koulibaly, Lorenzo Insigne and Fabian Ruiz. Despite their fitness issues, Napoli took the lead in the fourth minute as Adam Ounas marked his first start for the club since 2019 with a clinical low strike from just inside the penalty area. Napoli struck again in the 24th minute when Andrea Petagna beat Leicester's offside trap and squared his pass to Elmas, who slotted past Kasper Schmeichel with ease. Leicester rocked Jonny Evans gave Leicester hope when he fired home after Napoli failed to clear James Maddison's 27th-minute free-kick. Rodgers' men blew a 2-0 lead in a draw against Napoli in September and it was Napoli's turn to squander that advantage this time. Evans' first goal in Europe for eight years was followed in the 33rd minute by Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall's maiden goal for Leicester. Maddison's free-kick was only cleared to the edge of the area, where the 23-year-old midfielder smashed a superb volley into the bottom corner. But Napoli regained the lead in the 53rd minute as Elmas lashed home from Giovanni Di Lorenzo's cross. Maddison hit the post from just six yards moments later as Rodgers held his head in frustration. Real Sociedad secured second place in Group B with a 3-0 win against PSV Eindhoven, who drop into the Europa Conference League. Mikel Oyarzabal netted a 43rd-minute penalty and scored again in the 62nd minute before Alexander Sorloth struck in the final moments after Ibrahim Sangare's red card for PSV. Group B winners Monaco were held to a 1-1 draw at Sturm Graz. Group A winners Lyon lost their 100 per cent record in this season's competition after a 1-1 draw against second-placed Rangers. In Group D, first-placed Eintracht Frankfurt drew 1-1 at third-placed Fenerbahce, while second-placed Olympiakos lost 1-0 against Antwerp.
SOUTHAMPTON, ENGLAND (REUTERS) - James Maddison scored a second-half equaliser as Leicester City twice came from behind to force a 2-2 Premier League draw with hosts Southampton on Wednesday (Dec 1) in a match delayed for 18 minutes by a medical emergency in the crowd. Jan Bednarek and Che Adams scored first-half goals for the home team either side of a Jonny Evans strike for the visitors to lead 2-1 at halftime. A medical emergency in the crowd during the break forced a delay to the second period, but once the action got back under way, it was the visitors who were much the brighter as Maddison soon equalised. The draw moves Leicester up to 19 points, while Southampton are on 15 points. The home side were in front inside three minutes when Leicester goalkeeper Kasper Schmeichel saved brilliantly from Mohamed Salisu's shot, but Bednarek reacted quickest to turn the ball home. It was the third time in four games they took the lead inside five minutes. Leicester, who have not kept a clean sheet in the Premier League since a 1-0 win over Wolverhampton Wanderers on the opening day of the campaign, equalised midway through the first half. Home goalkeeper Alex McCarthy could only parry Wilfred Ndidi's shot into the path of Evans, who had a simple finish. But Leicester-born Adams, a boyhood fan of the Foxes, headed the home side back in front when he connected with Nathan Redmond's deflected cross to give them a 2-1 halftime lead. After the 33-minute interval, the visitors were back on level terms early in the second period as Maddison twisted and turned in the box and drilled the ball low past McCarthy at his near post. Leicester forward Jamie Vardy had an excellent chance to grab the winner when he was one-on-one with McCarthy, but produced an uncharacteristically wild finish over the bar.
LONDON (AFP) - Manchester City beat West Ham 2-1 in swirling snow on Sunday (Nov 28) to return to second in the Premier League and Watford manager Claudio Ranieri endured a miserable return to Leicester. Free-scoring Liverpool laid down the gauntlet by hammering Southampton 4-0 the previous day to move to within one point of leaders Chelsea, who host Manchester United in Sunday's late kick-off. But reigning champions City stayed in close touch with victory at home to high-flying West Ham as the Premier League increasingly resembles a three-horse race. Riyad Mahrez had a strike ruled out for offside at the Etihad but the hosts eventually claimed the lead shortly after the half-hour mark when a Mahrez ball into the box was deflected into the path of Ilkay Gundogan, handing the German a simple finish. Declan Rice forced a good save from Ederson as West Ham threatened late on but substitute Fernandinho made it 2-0 to City in the closing minutes. Manuel Lanzini pulled one back but it was not enough for David Moyes's team to avoid a second successive defeat. Leicester's Jamie Vardy reminded Ranieri of his enduring quality even in his mid-30s, scoring twice at the King Power Stadium in a 4-2 win against Watford. Ranieri, who famously won the Premier League title with unfancied Leicester in 2016, received a rapturous reception on his emotional first return to the stadium as an opposition manager since leaving the club early the following year. Midfielder James Maddison gave Leicester an early lead when he capitalised on a mistake by William Troost-Ekong, only for Josh King to level from the penalty spot in the 30th minute after Wilfred Ndidi brought down Emmanuel Dennis in the area. Leicester regained the lead four minutes later when Vardy lifted the ball over goalkeeper Daniel Bachmann from an angle and the former England striker grabbed his second three minutes before the break when he glanced in Maddison's corner. Dennis pulled a goal back just after the hour when he robbed Timothy Castagne to race through and chip over Kasper Schmeichel but Ademola Lookman scored from close range to restore the home side's two-goal cushion. Brentford heaped the pressure on Rafael Benitez by beating Everton 1-0 to secure their first Premier League win since early October, courtesy of a first-half penalty from Ivan Toney. Everton have now taken just two points from their past seven league matches and are sinking fast. The game between Burnley and Tottenham was called off a little under an hour before kick-off because of heavy snow at Turf Moor in northwest England. Attempts to clear the pitch proved in vain as the undersoil heating struggled to cope and snow fell as quickly as it could be removed. Cristiano Ronaldo had to settle for a place on the bench as temporary Manchester United boss Michael Carrick made four changes to their starting XI to face Chelsea at Stamford Bridge.
LONDON (REUTERS) - Leicester City completed the signing of Denmark international defender Jannik Vestergaard from Premier League rivals Southampton on Friday (Aug 13). The fee was not disclosed but British media put a figure of £15 million (S$28 million) on the deal for the 29-year-old who joined Southampton from Borussia Moenchengladbach three years ago. Vestergaard played in all six of Denmark's games at the European Championship in July, reaching the semi-finals, and links up at Leicester with national team goalkeeper Kasper Schmeichel. The FA Cup and Community Shield winners, who have French defender Wesley Fofana out with a broken leg until next year, said he had signed a contract to 2024. Vestergaard will be eligible for Saturday's Premier League opener at home to Wolverhampton Wanderers. "I'm very happy and I'm really excited to get going. It's a special club that has done very well over many years and I think the project is very, very exciting, even from the outside looking in," he said. "To be a part of it is a big thing for me." "I know a couple of the players, and Kasper and (ex-Southampton defender) Ryan (Bertrand) I know very well and get along with off the pitch, so that's going to be very easy," added the Dane. "Just from my first impression of the guys in the dressing room, they're a good bunch, and I'm sure I'll settle in very quickly." Southampton manager Ralph Hasenhuettl said the South Coast club would seek a replacement. "We've made the squad bigger, with players with a future at this club. There is still one position to fill because we have lost Jannik," he said. Southampton, 15th last season, begin their league campaign at Everton on Saturday. More on this topic Related Story Football: Leicester seek cover for Fofana after 'horrendous' injury Related Story Football: Leicester win Community Shield as Grealish debuts for Man City
BIRMINGHAM (AFP) - Chelsea qualified for next season's Champions League on Sunday (May 23) despite a 2-1 defeat at Aston Villa as Leicester's loss against Tottenham saved the Blues' top four place in a thrilling end to the Premier League season. Thomas Tuchel's side were 14 minutes away from missing out on a top-four finish when they trailed at Villa Park while Liverpool and Leicester were both winning. Bertrand Traore put Villa ahead late in the first half before the former Chelsea winger won a penalty that was converted by Anwar El Ghazi. Ben Chilwell got one back for Chelsea, but at that stage the Blues were still heading out of the top four. An own goal from Leicester keeper Kasper Schmeichel was followed by two late Gareth Bale strikes, condemning the Foxes to a 4-2 loss as Chelsea received an unexpected favour from bitter London rivals Tottenham. That Harry Kane, linked with a close-season move to Chelsea after declaring his desire to quit Tottenham, was also on the scoresheet at the King Power Stadium was an added layer of irony. Chelsea captain Cesar Azpilicueta was sent off in the final minute after clashing with Jack Grealish. But the Blues finished one point above fifth-placed Leicester, illustrating the slender margins at play in a pulsating conclusion to the top four race. It was a huge escape for Chelsea as they enjoyed a significant measure of revenge for their FA Cup final defeat against the Foxes last weekend. They can now concentrate on Saturday's Champions League final against Manchester City without the extra pressure of knowing they have to win in Porto to qualify for next season's tournament. But Tuchel has plenty of work to do to get Chelsea in shape for their first Champions League showpiece since 2012 after they were beaten for the third time in their last four games in all competitions. Adding to Tuchel's problems, Edouard Mendy may be a doubt for the final after Chelsea's keeper was unable to play the second half, having collided with the woodwork in a failed attempt to keep out Traore's goal. Tuchel relief Once again, Timo Werner was unable to provide a spark up front and the Chelsea striker should have done better than head across goal from Azpilicueta's cut-back in the early stages. Mason Mount deservedly won Chelsea's player of the year award after a superb season. But the England midfielder wasted a golden opportunity to open the scoring when he blazed over from Azpilicueta's cross. Chelsea were made to pay for their profligacy when Villa took the lead with a clever corner routine in the 43rd minute. Traore made a perfectly-timed run to meet Matt Targett's low delivery and, with Chelsea's defenders looking elsewhere, the unmarked winger hit a scuffed shot that looped into the top corner via the crossbar. Tuchel had said he would not check to see how Liverpool and Leicester were faring until half-time. By the time Tuchel returned to the dressing room at the break, Liverpool were winning 1-0, while Leicester were level at 1-1, keeping Chelsea in the top four at that point. But news quickly filtered through that Jamie Vardy had put Leicester ahead early in the second half, leaving Chelsea in peril. As if that wasn't bad enough, Jorginho conceded a 52nd minute penalty when he caught Traore on the foot. VAR reviewed the incident but there was no reprieve for shell-shocked Chelsea as El Ghazi stroked home the spot-kick. Chilwell gave Chelsea a glimmer of hope when the left-back met Christian Pulisic's cross with a close-range finish in the 70th minute. That set the stage for a remarkable finale as the focus turned to the King Power, where Tottenham's late goal spree sparked jubilant cheers from the Chelsea bench and a relieved smile from Tuchel.
LONDON (REUTERS) - Leicester won the FA Cup for the first time in the club's 137-year history on Saturday (May 15) as Youri Tielemans's sensational strike beat Chelsea 1-0 in front of 22,000 fans at Wembley. The largest crowd for a sports event in England since the coronavirus pandemic hit 14 months ago were treated to a goal worthy to win any trophy as the Belgian midfielder blasted into the top corner on 63 minutes. Kasper Schmeichel produced a stunning save to deny Mason Mount late on and Chelsea also had a goal ruled out by a VAR review for offside. Five years after the Foxes stunned the Premier League's giants to become champions, Leicester have now claimed English football's other prestigious trophy at the fifth time of asking. Four times they had previously lost the final, but the last of those was 52 years ago. A historic week for Brendan Rodgers' men could get even better as they are on the verge of sealing a place in next season's Champions League. The sides meet again in three days' time at Stamford Bridge in a pivotal clash to decide who secures a top-four finish in the Premier League. Chelsea need a quick response after losing for just the fourth time in 27 games since Thomas Tuchel replaced the sacked Frank Lampard in January. The Blues also have a Champions League final to look forward to against Manchester City in two weeks' time, but could end the campaign without silverware or a place in Europe's premier club competition next season. Chelsea's success under Tuchel has come thanks to an excellent defensive record, but their struggles at the other end were again exposed. Tuchel's men dominated before half-time but laboured to create clear-cut chances despite Leicester losing defensive lynchpin Jonny Evans to injury midway through the first half. Wayward Werner Timo Werner's wayward finishing has characterised his first season in England since joining from RB Leipzig for £47 million ($66 million) and the German international had another day to forget in front of goal. Tuchel turned away in disgust after Werner blazed high and wide from the edge of the box with the Leicester defence stretched midway through the first half. Werner then came closest to breaking the deadlock before half-time as his header drifted just wide and evaded Cesar Azpilicueta as the Chelsea captain launched himself in at the far post. The welcome return of noise echoing down from 6,000 fans of each side from both ends of the ground helped mask a general lack of quality on the field. Another 10,000 local supporters, key workers and Football Association stakeholders were also in attendance as Wembley gears up for hosting matches at Euro 2020 next month at 25 per cent capacity. One moment of magic proved decisive as Tielemans collected possession midway inside the Chelsea half and strode forward before unleashing an unstoppable strike into the top corner past Kepa Arrizabalaga. Tuchel flexed the strength in depth of his squad in an attempt to find an equaliser as Callum Hudson-Odoi, Ben Chilwell, Kai Havertz, Olivier Giroud and Christian Pulisic were all introduced off the bench. But they were denied by the brilliance of Schmeichel in the Leicester goal. Chilwell, whose every touch was booed by the Leicester support, nearly came back to haunt his old club as his header was turned onto the post by the Dane. Mount then could not believe his luck as his sweetly struck shot was turned behind by a brilliant stop from Schmeichel. Even when the Leicester keeper was beaten, Chelsea were denied by a VAR review. A Wes Morgan own goal looked set to send the game to extra-time, but Chilwell had strayed offside in the build-up. Leicester players and fans celebrated the decision like a goal and were in raptures again moments later after seeing out a nervy finale.
MANCHESTER (AFP, REUTERS) - Caglar Soyuncu's second-half goal saw Leicester beat Manchester United 2-1 on Tuesday (May 11) in a result that confirmed Manchester City as Premier League champions and strengthened the Foxes' bid for a place in the Champions League. Luke Thomas put Leicester ahead in the 10th minute at Old Trafford but the visitors' lead lasted just five minutes, with Mason Greenwood equalising for United. But Turkish defender Soyuncu's 66th-minute header settled the match in Leicester's favour and eventually sparked title celebrations at United's local rivals. Defeat left second-placed United 10 points behind City, with only a maximum of nine available to the Red Devils from their three remaining league games this season. For Leicester, it meant the Midlands club leapfrogged Champions League finalists Chelsea into third place, although the Blues have a game in hand, with the top four at the end of the Premier League season guaranteed a place among Europe's elite next term. United manager Ole Gunnar Soskjaer, faced with a schedule of three games in five days, had promised to rotate his squad. And the Norwegian was as good as his word, making 10 changes to the side that beat Aston Villa 3-1. Greenwood was the only United player to retain his starting position, with Leicester recalling Ayoze Perez and Thomas. United defender Harry Maguire missed his first league since joining from Leicester in 2019 after suffering an ankle injury in Sunday's comeback win at Villa Park. As rain lashed down upon Old Trafford, it was the visitors who took a 10th-minute lead thanks to a superb finish from Thomas, who volleyed a centre from Youri Tielemans back across goal and into the top right-hand corner. United, however, have made a habit of coming from behind this season and it did not take them long to draw level. Diallo beat Thomas on the right and played the ball inside to Greenwood, whose own neat footwork then allowed him to shoot low past Kasper Schmeichel, the son of United goalkeeping great Peter. Leicester, however, regained the lead midway through the second half when Soyuncu jumped above Nemanja Matic and met Marc Albrighton's corner with a powerful header high into the net. Leicester City's Wesley Fofana (left) vies with Manchester United's Edinson Cavani on May 11, 2021. PHOTO: AFP Pep Guardiola’s City side, who missed the chance to seal the title when they were beaten 2-1 by Chelsea on Saturday, are 10 points clear of United, who also have three games left. It is City’s third Premier League title in five seasons under Guardiola and their fifth in the last 10. Despite their home defeat by Chelsea at the weekend, City have enjoyed a magnificent turnaround this season after picking up 12 points from their first eight games – their worst start since 2008-09. Since then they have been head and shoulders above their rivals and since hitting the top have looked unstoppable. After losing at Tottenham Hotspur in November, they won 22 of their next 27 matches, including a 15-game winning run and a record-equalling 11 successive away league wins. Guardiola’s side, who were second-best to Liverpool last season, also won a fourth-straight League Cup and can claim a treble by beating Chelsea in this month’s Champions League final. Manchester United had delayed City’s title celebrations by beating Aston Villa away on Sunday but it was only putting off the inevitable and the party can now start in earnest. On the other side of Manchester a huge “Champions” banner was draped outside City’s Etihad Stadium. More on this topic Related Story Football: Guardiola hails Man City after 'hardest' title triumph
SOUTHAMPTON, UNITED KINGDOM (AFP) - Leicester missed a chance to cement their grip on third place in the Premier League after a 1-1 draw against 10-man Southampton at St Mary's on Friday (April 30). Southampton had to play 80 minutes without Danish defender Jannik Vestergaard after he was sent off for a foul on Jamie Vardy. But James Ward-Prowse's second half penalty briefly put Ralph Hasenhuttl's side ahead before Jonny Evans headed Leicester's equaliser. Leicester remain in third place, but fourth placed Chelsea would close the gap to just two points if they beat struggling Fulham on Saturday. Fourth place will be reduced to a Europa League qualification spot if Chelsea win the Champions League, Arsenal win the Europa League and both clubs finish outside the top four. So Leicester need to hang onto third place to be sure of qualifying for next season's Champions League. Fourth place might still be enough for Brendan Rodgers' team, but they have only four matches left to guarantee their berth in Europe's elite club competition. In an FA Cup semi-final rematch after Leicester's 1-0 win at Wembley two weeks ago, Southampton gave a better account of themselves to end their three-game losing streak. Leicester had powered to a top-flight away record 9-0 win against Southampton on their previous visit to St Mary's in 2019. But they found it much tougher this time and should have been behind early on when Nathan Tella, unmarked eight yards from goal, shot weakly at Leicester keeper Kasper Schmeichel. Southampton were reduced to 10 men in the 10th minute after Vestergaard's slip left Vardy clean through on the edge of the penalty area. Vestergaard responded to his blunder with a desperate lunging tackle, but although the centre-back made contact with the ball, he clattered into Vardy's ankle in the process, earning a red card from referee Robert Jones. Despite their numerical advantage, Leicester struggled to take control and Southampton winger Nathan Redmond threatened with a long-range blast that Schmeichel palmed away. It took over half an hour for Leicester to carve out a serious chance when Kelechi Iheanacho picked out Youri Tielemans and the Belgian's low drive forced a fine save from Saints keeper Alex McCarthy at his near post. Southampton were battling impressively and they took the lead in the 61st minute thanks to a helping hand from Iheanacho. Stuart Armstrong's shot thumped into Iheanacho's out-stretched arm and Jones pointed to the spot, with Ward-Prowse smashing the penalty past Schmeichel for his ninth goal this season. James Maddison's long-range curler was tipped over by McCarthy, who made an equally good stop from Ayoze Perez's rising strike moments later. Finally hitting their stride, Leicester equalised in the 68th minute as Evans met Iheanacho's pin-point cross with a powerful header that gave McCarthy no chance. Vardy, set up by Maddison's pass, could have won it for Leicester with seven minutes left, but McCarthy made a brilliant save with his legs to repel the close-range effort.
LEICESTER (AFP) - Leicester strengthened their grip on third place in the Premier League as Kelechi Iheanacho's superb strike capped a spirited fightback in Monday's (April 26) 2-1 win against Crystal Palace. Brendan Rogers' side trailed to Wilfried Zaha's first half goal at the King Power Stadium. But Timothy Castagne equalised soon after the interval with his first goal since September. And Nigeria striker Iheanacho sealed Leicester's second successive victory when he scored with a thunderous finish 10 minutes from full-time. Leicester are four points clear of fourth placed Chelsea and seven ahead of fifth placed West Ham as they bid to qualify for next season's Champions League. With five games left, the FA Cup finalists have already matched their total of 62 points from last season. A late collapse cost the Foxes a place in the Champions League in 2020, but Rodgers' men are firmly on course to make amends thanks to the sparkling form of Iheanacho. Going into February, Iheanacho had not scored a single league goal this season, but no-one has netted more than his 10 in the competition since then. The 24-year-old has 12 goals in his last nine games in all competitions. He is the first Nigerian to reach double figures in Premier League goals in a season since Odion Ighalo's 15 for Watford in 2015-16. Leicester set the tempo as Jamie Vardy swivelled to fire just over from 12 yards. Despite Leicester's early pressure, Palace snatched the lead with a ruthless counter-attack in the 12th minute. Christian Benteke robbed Youri Tielemans with a strong challenge on the halfway line and Eberechi Eze strode forward before slipping a defence-splitting pass through to Zaha. The Ivory Coast forward eluded Leicester's offside trap and guided a cool finish past Kasper Schmeichel for his 10th goal of the season. It was a familiar, dispiriting sight for Leicester as Zaha celebrated his sixth goal in his last seven league appearances against the Foxes. But there was no end to Leicester's territorial dominance and Jonny Evans nodded down to his fellow centre-back Caglar Soyuncu, who shot wide from a good position. Leicester deservedly equalised in the 50th minute when Iheanacho superbly controlled Tielemans' lofted pass inside the Palace area and slipped the ball into Castagne's path. The Belgium wing-back wasted no time dispatching a curling strike high into the roof of Vicente Guaita's net from 10 yards. Evans stopped Leicester falling behind again with a brilliant last-ditch tackle to deny Benteke as he prepared to pull the trigger from Jairo Riedewald's pass. More on this topic Related Story Football: Leicester crush West Brom to boost top four chances Related Story Football: Iheanacho fires Leicester into FA Cup final on fans' return Tielemans blasted narrowly wide from the edge of the area and Vardy was inches off target before Leicester completed their stirring fightback in the 80th minute. Evans' long pass picked out Iheanacho's run and the Nigerian held off two Palace defenders inside the area before cutting back inside for a blistering strike that flashed past Guaita.
LONDON (AFP) - Leicester manager Brendan Rodgers admitted he was disappointed by the behaviour of Ayoze Perez, James Maddison and Hamza Choudhury after they were dropped for Sunday's (April 11) 3-2 defeat against West Ham after breaching coronavirus protocols. Perez, Maddison and Choudhury were all missing from the Leicester line-up at the London Stadium. Rodgers revealed the incident happened last weekend and prompted him to take disciplinary action. He said the trio will be allowed back into Leicester's squad next week ahead of their FA Cup semi-final against Southampton at Wembley on April 18. "It was a decision I made, an internal situation last weekend, It is not the standard we expect. They are all good guys, good lads, but we have a standard on and off the pitch that we have to adhere to," Rodgers said. "The boys will rejoin the group after this game. It's internal, it's something we have dealt with. The boys, it's disappointing behaviour, it's a mistake. It's not what we are about. "We have a set of values for the team, for this football club The players in the main have been great but they will rejoin the group next week." In the absence of the three players, third placed Leicester suffered a damaging defeat that left them just one point above fourth placed West Ham. Both team are battling to qualify for next season's Champions League via a top four finish in the Premier League. In a statement released during Sunday's match, Leicester said: "The club has made its expectations around adherence to Covid-19 protocols abundantly clear to all its personnel. "It is extremely disappointing, therefore, to learn of a breach that had the potential to undermine the efforts of club staff to protect the environments in which our teams train and play. Appropriate measures have been taken to prevent our team bubbles being compromised. "We wholly expect our people to behave in a way that reflects the national effort and the sacrifices made by our communities to control the spread of the virus. Those involved have apologised for their poor judgement. "Our response to the matter will be concluded internally." More on this topic Related Story Football: Lingard double fires West Ham back into top four Related Story Football: Man City cruise past Leicester to close in on Premier League title
LEICESTER, UNITED KINGDOM (AFP) - Manchester City moved ever closer to a third Premier League title in four seasons as a rare goal from Benjamin Mendy and Gabriel Jesus' strike earned a 2-0 win at third-placed Leicester on Saturday (April 3). Pep Guardiola's men now hold a commanding 17-point lead at the top of the table, albeit Manchester United can cut into that gap with two games in hand. However, it appears a matter of when, not if, City will reclaim the status of English champions after losing their crown to Liverpool last season. City are even aiming to go one better than their domestic treble of Premier League, FA Cup and League Cup two years ago by winning a first ever quadruple in English football history. That would mean winning the Champions League for the first time and Guardiola showed that competition remains the priority with his team selection ahead of Borussia Dortmund's trip to the Etihad for the first leg of their quarter-final tie on Tuesday. John Stones, Joao Cancelo, Ilkay Gundogan and Raheem Sterling were among the star names left on the bench after their exertions on international duty over the past 10 days. Yet, the visitors were still dominant against a Leicester side that had lost just twice in their previous 16 Premier League games. Sergio Aguero was given a rare start up front just days after the Argentine announced his glorious 10-year stay in Manchester will come to a close at the end of the season. However, his presence denied City an early opener when Fernandinho's long-range strike arrowed into the bottom corner only for the goal to be disallowed as Aguero was standing in an offside position in front of Kasper Schmeichel. Leicester are one of only three teams to beat City in the league this season, having romped to a 5-2 victory at the Etihad in September. Jamie Vardy scored a hat-trick that day and thought he had added to his excellent record against City in first-half stoppage time when he rounded Ederson to slot into an empty net, only to also be denied by the offside flag. City's dominance of possession and patience was finally rewarded just before the hour mark from an unlikely source. Riyad Mahrez stung the palms of his former teammate Schmeichel, but from the rebound, the ball fell at the feet of Mendy at the back post, who cut onto his weaker right foot and scored just his second goal in four seasons as a City player. Guardiola could then afford the luxury of introducing Sterling as Leicester had to open up and chase an equaliser. And the England international created the killer second goal as he was released in behind by a brilliant pass from Kevin De Bruyne before squaring for Jesus to score on his 24th birthday. Thanks to Chelsea's shock 5-2 thrashing by West Brom earlier on Saturday, Leicester still enjoy a five-point cushion over the Blues and seven-point advantage over fifth-placed West Ham in the race for a top-four finish and Champions League football next season. But Brendan Rodgers's men will be looking over their shoulders anxiously over the next few days as the Hammers, Tottenham, Liverpool and Everton all have the chance to close in on the top four.
BRIGHTON, ENGLAND (REUTERS) - Leicester City climbed back into second place in the Premier League as they came from a goal down to win 2-1 at Brighton & Hove Albion thanks to a late goal by Daniel Amartey on Saturday (March 6). Adam Lallana scored his first goal for Brighton in the 10th minute and was close to adding a second when he hit the post with a header before halftime. An impressive Brighton also had a goal disallowed in the first half but Leicester improved after the break and Kelechi Iheanacho equalised in the 62nd minute. The hosts looked nervy late on and Amartey stooped to head in from close range in the 88th minute. It was tough on Brighton, who remained down in 16th position, three points above the relegation zone after three narrow defeats in a row. Injury-hit Leicester, now unbeaten in 10 league away games, moved two points ahead of Manchester United into second place with 53 points from 28 games. United face runaway leaders Manchester City on Sunday. “The first half was not good enough at all. It was not difficult to do better in the second half,” Leicester midfielder Youri Tielemans, who set up the equaliser, said. “It feels like a very big result.” With injuries to key players such as James Maddison taking their toll, there have been signs that Leicester were beginning to falter having looked on course for a top-four finish. Defeat by Arsenal and a draw with Burnley in their last two games had raised doubts and they struggled throughout the first half. When Neal Maupay played in Lallana with a clever pass he made no mistake with a cool finish past Kasper Schmeichel for his first goal in 32 league games. Superb save Leicester were denied an equaliser by a superb save by home keeper Robert Sanchez from a thunderous strike by Sidnei Tavares but Brighton were agonisingly close to making it 2-0 when Pascal Gross whipped in a free kick and Lallana’s glancing header hit the far post. There was still time before the break for Maupay to produce an exquisite finish from Lallana’s pass but Leicester were saved by an offside decision. Brighton were to rue those opportunities just past the hour mark when Tielemans’s sliderule pass took out the Brighton defence and Iheanacho dinked a finish past Sanchez. Lallana had a chance to restore Brighton’s lead, but it was Leicester who looked menacing with Jamie Vardy having a penalty appeal turned down after a last-ditch tackle by Lewis Dunk. Sanchez then flapped at Marc Albrighton’s corner and Amartey was in the right place to head home. Leicester manager Brendan Rodgers admitted his side had started slowly. “We needed to be more aggressive. Once we did that we had more energy on the ball,” he said. “The mentality has been incredible – to be up there challenging with 10 games to go.”
LONDON (AFP) - Leicester had captain Kasper Schmeichel to thank just for a point in a 1-1 draw at Burnley on Wednesday (March 3) as the Foxes' bid for a top-four finish in the Premier League stumbled again at Turf Moor. Aston Villa also missed the chance to move to within two points of the top four as they suffered a shock 1-0 defeat by bottom-of-the-table Sheffield United, who held on for the final half an hour with 10 men. Leicester's challenge for a return to the Champions League next season has been badly hit by a series of injuries to key players and the presence of James Maddison, Harvey Barnes, Jonny Evans and James Justin was badly missed. A point edges Brendan Rodgers's men level on points with second-placed Manchester United, who face Crystal Palace later on Wednesday. But Chelsea, Liverpool and Everton all have the chance to close in on Leicester - who have not won in their last three games - when they are in action on Thursday. A newly configured defence and midfield for the visitors showed as Hamza Choudhury's slack pass to Wilfred Ndidi allowed Matej Vydra to smash home his first league goal in nearly 12 months after just four minutes. Choudhury missed a great chance to quickly make amends as his looping effort was tipped over by Nick Pope. However, Kelechi Iheanacho's splendid finish drew Leicester level on 34 minutes as the Nigerian volleyed home from Ndidi's floated ball over the top. Schmeichel then produced two stunning saves to prevent Chris Wood restoring Burnley's lead early in the second half. The Dane leapt to his left to parry the New Zealander's powerful header before getting down low to his right to turn another deflected Wood shot wide. Ashley Westwood then rattled the post for Burnley, but Leicester finished the stronger and could have snatched a victory that would have taken up to second in the table. Marc Albrighton stung the palms of Pope before Youri Tielemans's shot came back off the post. A point takes Burnley six points clear of the bottom three in 15th. Sheffield United secured just their fourth win of the season as David McGoldrick scored the only goal against a Villa side desperately missing the inspiration of injured captain Jack Grealish. McGoldrick swept home George Baldock's cross off the underside of the bar. Bertrand Traore fired wide from the edge of the area and Ollie Watkins hit the post for Villa before Phil Jagielka was sent off for denying a clear goalscoring opportunity when he chopped down Anwar El Ghazi. Despite dominating possession, Villa failed to make the man advantage count to remain down in ninth. Blades boss Chris Wilder has already conceded his side are headed back to the Championship, but they close the gap to survival to 12 points.