Arsenal may always be the Invincibles. But Leicester, Claudio Ranieri’s ‘Little Leicester’, surely destined to be recalled, for posterity, as The Unbelieveables.It was not possible, surely, in this money-obsessed age, for a team with a wage bill of less than £50million to conquer the likes of United and City, Chelsea and Arsenal.Yet they did. Banished them long ago.It left just one challenger, themselves almost as unlikely.And for an hour or so last night, it looked as if Tottenham would take this compelling race to the final furlong.
They were 2-0 up and cruising, thanks to Harry Kane and Heung-Min Son goals, Mauricio Pochettino and his players seemingly refusing to give up the chase.But then, as the nerves appeared in south west London, the mood changed 100 miles up the M1.When Gary Cahill slammed home from close range soon after the break, the Leicester fans and players alike began to think it might be on, that they could do it.
And when Hazard found the top corner, scoring the title-winning goal for the second year running — this time in very different circumstances to the strike he netted against Crystal Palace last year — it was real.After a night of pure tension, it was finally time for supporters who have been given the season from heaven to realise that their prayers had been answered.
This was the moment to actually believe their team had achieved the seemingly impossible. Brought the so-called top flight giants to their knees and finished top.For a long time, it seemed as though Leicester’s party would be put on hold but, in the end, this was like a thousand New Year’s Eves rolled into one.
People were openly hugging each other, it did not matter whether they knew them or not. So this is what they mean by the feelgood factor.
Leicester really should win the Premier League more often!But it was a surreal night in the city’s pubs and bars.
You knew the football was on because you could hear the cries of ‘Come on Chelsea’ echoing all around the back streets.
I was in a packed Market Tavern in the middle of Leicester.This was the area former hero Gary Lineker grew up in, working on the local stalls selling fruit and veg.
And the pub was about as Leicester as you could get?.?.?.?Filbert Street road signs and signed Foxes shirts on the wall, apart from one thing — everyone was backing Guus Hiddink’s side.
And a huge roar went up when fans saw a banner on Sky TV saying ‘Let’s do it for Ranieri’.
Suddenly someone produced a bell and the Italian boss’ ‘Dilly Ding, Dilly Dong’ chant rang around the bar.‘We’re all going on a European tour’ they sang, hundreds of voices in harmony.
But for an hour at least, it looked as though the party was on hold.
Two-first half goals for Tottenham went down like a pint of warm beer.
Oh well, there’s always Everton on Saturday. But wait. Suddenly Gary Cahill found the net and Leicester’s fans started to believe again.
Then another chance flashed wide as the feeling grew that Chelsea really could do it for Ranieri.And finally, with eight minutes to go, Hazard sent Leicester — and most neutral fans (plus all those Spurs-baiting Arsenal and West Ham fans) — wild with delight.
Over the road at Hogarths Pub, they let Spurs know exactly what they thought about them throwing away a two-goal lead.
Another cheer went up as a fan displayed a banner saying ‘Well done Ranieri, we knew you’d win the title at Chelsea’.Then the final whistle went.Let the celebrations begin. They could last for some time
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