BEVERLY HILLS, May 23, (THEWILL) – It was a sad day for English Premier League side Leicester City and for Kelechi Iheanacho as they suffered a second straight failure to stay in the UEFA Champions League places in the English top flight after losing a pulsating match to Tottenham Hotspur. Gareth Bale found the goal that won the game and qualified Spurs for the inaugural Europa Conference League.
There were only 18 minutes on the clock when the hosts took the lead with a Jamie Vardy penalty that came from Toby Alderweireld’s foul on Vardy in the area. But, the advantage was levelled out by a sublime volleyed goal from the ever reliable Harry Kane in the 41st minute.
On a brilliant fixture for Vardy, he Foxes’ forward earned and scored another penalty after he can’t entangled with with Davison Sanchez in the Spurs area. The goal took the hosts into the break with a one goal lead cushion.
However, it turned out to not be their day because with only 13 minutes left, the often dependable Kasper Schmeichel punched a corner into his own net to level the scores. All that was left to worsen Leicester’s day was substitute Gareth Bale putting Spurs ahead with three minutes of regulation time left.
Having deflated the Vardy-charged enthusiasm of the Foxes, Bale added another goal deep into injury time to give them no consolation this season.
As the fifth-placed side in the final table, Leicester are consigned to the Europa League next season, a disappointing end to their industrious standing all season and reminiscent of their final play last year. Meanwhile, Liverpool and Chelsea finished third and fourth respectively, though Chelsea endured a disappointing loss to Aston Villa at Villa Park.
Their seventh-placed finish ensures Tottenham go to the new Europa Conference League while Harry Kane secured the Premier League Golden Boot with his 23rd goal of the season for what may be good last season at Spurs.
Jude Obafemi is a versatile senior Correspondent at THEWILL Newspapers, excelling in sourcing, researching, and delivering sports news stories for both print and digital publications.
