The absurd reality of Leicester City claiming the Premier League title was made to wait for at least another week following a draw between Leicester City and Manchester United. Leicester City were denied the fulfillment of their season long excellence as Anthony Martial’s early strike negated Wes Morgan’s 17th minute header to force the sides to settle for a draw.
Anthony Martial’s eighth minute goal
Wes Morgan’s 17th minute goal
As choruses of “we’re the greatest team the world has ever seen” cascaded from a small group of Leicester fans in the corner of Old Trafford, it was impossible not to realize the ridiculousness of it all: the small club from the East Midlands of England taking the game to the 20-time champions of English football.
While Leicester’s dream will almost certainly be realized on either May 7 against Everton or on May 15 against Chelsea, Tottenham retain the slimmest hopes of capturing the division themselves. For Leicester, it was a vital and somewhat fortunate point. Danny Drinkwater was sent off in the 87th minute following a foul on Memphis Depay. The decision occured right around the Leicester penalty area and could've resulted in a contentious penalty.
However, Leicester escaped unscathed. Rather than losing the match, they lost Drinkwater for their May 7 match against Everton. They will welcome Jamie Vardy back from suspension for that home match.
With Wayne Rooney occupying a central midfield role for the Red Devils, United had a vibrancy and panache that has been sorely lacking at times. Old Trafford was alive with the significance of the occasion, demonstrably opposed to the Foxes claiming the title at the ground of so many famous realizations of Man United dreams.
As early as the eighth minute, we were reminded of the sleeping giant that is this Mancunian monster. Antonio Valencia’s cross found Martial unmarked at the back post, his ninth Premier League goal of the season ensuring that United remain in the hunt for that vital Champions League place.
With the 70,000 plus patrons of Old Trafford in full voice, Leicester went about doing what they’ve done all season: never giving in.
Wes Morgan’s header from a set piece was nothing if not determined. Outmuscling his marker, Morgan displayed a presence becoming of a man who has not yet missed a minute of Premier League action this season.
Appearing in 72 of Leicester’s 73 matches since earning promotion, Morgan embodies the spirit of this underdog club.
That spirit has seen Leicester City open up an eight-point gap over second placed Tottenham. They couldn't claim the title today, but one feels that it's only a matter of time.
