8 May 2016

Leicester City lift trophy

9:05 am on 8 May 2016

English Premier League champions Leicester City beat Everton 3-1 at the King Power Stadium with a Jamie Vardy double completed a perfect coronation for Claudio Ranieri's miracle men.

Leicester manager Claudio Ranieri is reflected in the silver as he kisses the EPL trophy.

Leicester manager Claudio Ranieri is reflected in the silver as he kisses the EPL trophy. Photo: PHOTOSPORT

The 5,000-1 pre-season outsiders were given a guard of honour by Everton and serenaded by opera singer Andrea Bocelli during emotional pre-match celebrations, having clinched the title for the first time in their 132-year history on Tuesday when closest rivals Tottenham Hotspur were held 2-2 by Chelsea.

Vardy converted Andy King's cross in the fifth minute before King added a second in the 33rd.

England striker Vardy then bagged a 65th-minute penalty after being brought down by James Pennington before firing another spot-kick wildly over the bar.

Kevin Mirallas pulled a late goal back for the visitors.

"I always knew I would win a title," manager Ranieri told Sky Sports television after capturing his first major league crown in a 30-year career that has embraced 16 jobs. "I just never thought it would be here."

Goalkeeper Kasper Schmeichel said: "This is what dreams are made of. It's what you dreamed of as a kid".

Vardy, the second highest scorer in the Premier League this season with 24 goals, was overjoyed.

"I don't think I can put it into words," he said. "It's been a long and hard process to get here today.

"Nothing could spoil this celebration," added Vardy, reflecting on his penalty miss, "although I think my ball's ended up in someone's garden."

-Reuters