Our Premier League Run Comes To An End…

The final chapter by Tom Shapland

Leicester hosted West Ham on the final day of the 2022/23 Premier League season, with a win a necessity for the Foxes to stay in the topflight. Leicester had won their final league game just once in the last seven seasons as they looked to do the league double over the Hammers. Just seven years after winning the title with Ranieri, Leicester were on the brink of relegation.

Leicester started the game with intent, Barnes broke into the West Ham area before Iheanacho got hold of it and scuffed it wide. After a few West Ham attacks, Leicester regained control when Tielemans fed in Iheanacho who laid it to Barnes, but a tame effort was saved by Fabianski.

Shortly after, Iheanacho was once again involved in the action as his racing run down the byline resulted in a left-footed effort that struck the bar.

Leicester’s domination finally paid off when in the 34^th minute, a quick one-two between Barnes and Iheanacho saw Harvey Barnes slot the ball past Fabianski, 1-0 and the hope of survival was well and truly alive.

The second half began with West Ham on the front, a Cresswell corner deflected off the back of Evans, trickling just wide of the goalkeepers right hand post.

Just as the news of an Everton’s goal had made its way around the King Power, lightning almost struck twice when Benrahma’s effort shattered the woodwork.

However, the Foxes weren’t going out without a fight. A freekick whipped in by the departing Tielemans was headed in by Faes to give Leicester a two-goal cushion, albeit irrelevant without a Bournemouth goal.

Nerves around the stadium grew as the final whistle in both games approached, and even more so when West Ham pulled one back. An error from Thomas allowed Ings to feed in Fornals who slotted the ball in off the post, 2-1.

All Leicester could do at this point was hold onto their lead and pray for a Bournemouth goal, six additional minutes in this game and a massive ten in the other allowed Leicester fans to grasp to an element of hope, but it wasn’t to be. Full-time 2-1 Leicester, full-time 1-0 Everton, it was over.

And with that, the magnificent journey of Leicester and the Premier League drew to a close. A fighting effort going down is always something to be commended but it wasn’t just about the final game, it’s the whole season that matters. Whether you look to blame the players, the managers or the board, all contributed to what has been a heart-breaking end to a fairy tale story. But there is no time to dwell on the downfall, or we will only sink deeper. Instead, it’s best to look at what the club has achieved, defying the odds to win the Premier League, European nights against the likes of Barcelona and an unforgettable FA Cup win against Chelsea. It’s now time to say goodbye to this beautiful chapter in the club’s history as we start fresh next season. Goodbye Premier League, for now.