Leicester City’s fairy-tale did not quite come to fruition at Old Trafford as they fought out a 1-1 draw with Manchester United on Sunday.
The title race remains alive for at least another day after Leicester failed to bag three points at Old Trafford. The draw leaves the title race open by a thread, with Tottenham needing to win at Chelsea on Monday to keep their slim hopes alive.
Captain Wes Morgan’s 17th minute header was not enough to clinch the title, cancelling out Anthony Martial’s eighth minute strike.
Desperate to keep their top four hopes alive, United stormed out of the blocks in the first 15 minutes. A Jesse Lingard effort following Martial’s opener forced Kasper Schmeichel into a strong save at his near post to keep the score at 1-0.
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But as has been the case all season, the Foxes rose to the challenge and Wes Morgan equalised soon after against the run of play. Neither team could find a route to goal after half time as the game ending all square.
Close enough to touch it
With the draw at Old Trafford, Leicester City are so close to their first ever top-flight title that only a monumental collapse combined with an improbable surge from Tottenham could see them lose it from here. They could not quite seal the deal, perhaps finally feeling the pressure of a title race at this very late stage. They could be champions on Monday, but if Tottenham win at Stamford Bridge, Leicester will have the opportunity to clinch the title in front of their supporters at home to Everton next week. Fittingly, Jamie Vardy will be available for selection.
Vardy is vital to Leicester’s setup
The absence of Jamie Vardy – serving the second of his two-match ban – denied the Foxes the counter-attacking outlet that has yielded so much success this season. So often this campaign, the Foxes’ best and most effective form of attack has been a quick release – often a long ball over the top – for Vardy to chase down. Without that outlet, they were forced to hold onto the ball for much longer than they are used to, having to probe their way through Manchester United’s defence for an opening.
Champions League still alive
The result left United’s hopes of finishing in the top four in serious doubt, but after Manchester City’s 4-2 loss away to Southampton, the race for fourth is still very much alive. Four points behind with a game in hand over City, the Red Devils will be hoping Arsenal can do the job over their rivals at the Etihad next week. The road to fourth remains pertinently enthralling, and United must travel to London for a massive fifth versus sixth clash against West Ham next week. It will be the final game played at the Boleyn Ground before the Hammers relocate to the Olympic Stadium next season, so they will have an extra incentive to win. Just one point behind United, they will have a serious say in who claims the final Champions League spot.
Does Fellaini have a case to answer?
Marouane Fellaini has made a name for himself as an ill-tempered villain in recent times, and his short fuse was on show again on Sunday. In a tussle with Leicester centre-back Robert Huth at a corner, the big Belgian flailed a wild elbow at the German, connecting with his jaw before appearing to swipe him across the head. Referee Michael Oliver missed the incident, but Fellaini will have a nervous wait pending a likely Football Association (FA) review.
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