Jamie Vardy Brace Crowns Leicester City's Title Party
Jamie Vardy scored a brace as Leicester City defeated Everton 3-1. After the win, Leicester received the Premier league trophy which they had already sealed before the match
- Agence France-Presse
- Updated: May 08, 2016 08:31 am IST
Highlights
-
Jamie Vardy scored as Leicester City defeated Everton 3-1
-
Leicester City already sealed the EPL title before this match
-
This is Leicester's maiden title
Jamie Vardy scored twice to lead Leicester City's on-field party as they marked lifting the Premier League trophy with a 3-1 win at home to Everton on Saturday, while Sunderland climbed out of the relegation zone.
Leicester, 5,000/1 outsiders in pre-season, had already been crowned champions of England for the first time in their 132-year history after second-placed Tottenham Hotspur could only draw with Chelsea on Monday -- a match many of the Foxes squad watched at former non-league forward Vardy's house.
It took Vardy, returning from a two-game ban, just five minutes to open the scoring at an already ecstatic King Power Stadium before Leicester stalwart Andy King, who played for the Midlands club when they were a third-tier side, made it 2-0 in the 33rd minute.
Vardy scored his second and Leicester's third from the penalty spot in the 65th minute to draw level with fellow England striker Harry Kane on 25 goals in the race to be crowned the Premier League's top scorer this season.
Minutes later, in the only slight disappointment of a joyous day for Leicester fans, Vardy missed out on a hat-trick and the chance to go past Tottenham Hotspur's Kane when he blasted a second penalty over the crossbar.
Kevin Mirallas pulled a goal back two minutes from time but that did little to ease the growing pressure on Everton manager Roberto Martinez.
© AFP
Sunderland beat Chelsea
Earlier, Sunderland came from behind to beat Chelsea 3-2 at the Stadium of Light.
The Black Cats were 2-1 down against last season's champions, before two goals in three second-half minutes from Fabio Borini and Jermain Defoe transformed the match.
Sunderland fell behind when Chelsea striker Diego Costa opened the scoring in the 14th minute.
But they were level four minutes before the break when Tunisia's Wahbi Khazri struck a brilliant 20-yard volley.
However, Chelsea still regained the lead before half-time through Nemanja Matic.
Borini though turned in Patrick van Aanholt's cut-back in the 67th minute and Defoe made it 3-2 when he seized on a cross into the box.
Chelsea's defeat was compounded when skipper John Terry was sent off late on.
Victory saw Sunderland go a point in front of Newcastle, who have played one game more than their north-east rivals and could only manage a goalless draw with already-relegated Aston Villa on Saturday.
'Destiny in our hands'
If Sunderland win at home to Everton on Wednesday, they will stay up and relegate both Newcastle and Norwich City in the process.
"Our destiny is in our hands and a win against Everton will secure our Premier League future," Sunderland manager Sam Allardyce told Sky Sports. "It will be difficult but we have an opportunity to achieve it, let's hope we can."
Manchester United defeat Norwich
Second-bottom Norwich moved closer to the drop after a 1-0 loss at home to Manchester United, with Juan Mata's 72nd-minute goal proving decisive at Carrow Road.
United's victory saw Louis van Gaal's fifth-placed side close to within a point of local rivals Manchester City, who currently occupy fourth spot and the last qualifying position on offer to English clubs for next season's Champions League.
Norwich's defeat meant they had lost four league games in a row -- all without scoring a goal.
City, looking to bounce back from their Champions League semi-final defeat by Real Madrid in midweek, play third-placed Arsenal at Eastlands on Sunday.
"I am indeed a Gunners fan tomorrow. After losing to Real Madrid, it is not easy for Manchester City to revive," United manager Louis van Gaal told BT Sport.
Dwight Gayle's two goals gave Crystal Palace a come-from-behind 2-1 win at home to Stoke City that secured the FA Cup finalists Premier League status.
Swansea beat West Ham
Meanwhile Swansea beat West Ham 4-1 to all but end the London club's hopes of Champions League qualification.
They were 3-0 up inside 51 minutes at Upton Park thanks to goals from Wayne Routledge, Andre Ayew and Ki Seung-Yeung.
Stephen Kingsley's 68th-minute own-goal gave the Hammers hope before Swansea's Bafetimbi Gomis scored in stoppage time.
Bournemouth and West Browmich Albion, both safe from the drop, shared the points in a 1-1 draw at Dean Court.
Salomon Rondon gave visitors West Brom the lead before Bournemouth keeper Artur Boruc saved Craig Gardner's penalty
The Cherries equalised when substitute Matt Ritchie headed in eight minutes from time.
As well as the City-Arsenal match, Sunday also sees Liverpool -- fresh from reaching the Europa League final -- at home to Watford, while Tottenham face manager Mauricio Pochettino's former club Southampton.