Decent End To The Season

By SIMON MACK

Leicester City 0 – 0 Chelsea FC

The King Power Stadium 12^th May 2019 15:00

Attendance: 32,140

The Foxes battled out a goalless draw against visitors Chelsea played end their Premier League campaigns under bright skies at the King Power Stadium this afternoon.

Chelsea rested Eden Hazard from their starting eleven in leiu of their long Europa League victory night last Thursday, but that didn’t prohibit them from a roaring start and in the first 30’ the blues should have done better as they overpowered City in midfield and pinned them back into their own half. Maurizo Sarri’s boys in yellow jinked and danced around the foxes and with high tempo with Willian and Pedro both weaving through and creating chances the visitors would have later regretted not converting.

The culmination of Chelsea’s threat came just before the half when a low ball delivered across the box was inexplicably fluffed by forward Gozalo Higuain, and only he will know how he failed to find the back of the net.

But Leicester were not to be denied their share of this goalless match and fought their way into the game well in the second period. A victory would have afforded city a league double over their visitors for the first time in over a decade, and whilst in the first half the foxes seemed outnumbered at times in midfield kicking towards the kop Leicester grew in tenacity and confidence. Harry Maguire made a trademark burst into the Chelsea half and James Maddison tricked his way around the blues defence, but despite more offensive play the foxes failed to make an impression on Willy Caballero’s goal.

With a heartfelt nod to city’s Premier League winning side Shinji Okazaki and Danny Simpson both made substitute appearances for Leicester in what will be their last appearances for the club as they move on out of contract in the summer. And a sensational run from Ben Chilwell down the left and into the box almost set Okazaki up for a dream goodbye, but it wasn’t to be and soon after a tired and largely invisible Eden Hazard came on in an attempt to seal all 3 points for the visitors.

As the stadium clock ticked down to full time both sides lowered in intensity and on reflection with both sides having had their share of offensive play and chances honours being shared seemed a fair conclusion to their Premier League campaigns.

Huge respect to the foxes faithful must be noted for a sea of white scarves and the roaring of their song in honour of Khun Vichai. Whilst today’s game may not have been the most exhilarating city’s fans have seen this season they were determined to pay tribute to City’s Chairman who so tragically lost his life in October of last year. It was fantastic to see his son Top so enthusiastically applauding the fans as he, the players and staff conducted a lap of appreciation after the final whistle, and I think the vast majority of city supporters would have left the stadium full of optimism for what’s to come next under the talismanic guidance of Brendan Rodgers.

It will be crucial for the foxes to keep hold of their stars this summer, and there can be no doubt that envious eyes will be gazing upon a fair few of our squad. But this team feels tight and this squad united, and if Leicester can find a way to persuade Youri Tielemens to make his stay permanent this summer it will be a huge boost for the coming campaign.

With Okazaki now destined for pastures new and Kelechi Inheanacho’s future as city unsure after some unconvincing performances you’d hope that the foxes will look to bolster attacking options in support of the evergreen Jamie Vardy.

The football might be over but the work continues for city to mould this hugely promising squad into one that can challenge even higher in the next campaign. Meanwhile for Chelsea it’s all eyes onto Baku and a date with Arsenal in the Europa League final.