Leicester

EPL: Leicester Top Four Finish Still Possible After 2-0 Win

by AnaedoOnline
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Leicester boss Brendan Rodgers challenged his team to “make more history” after victory over Sheffield United secured European football for next season.

A first-half strike by Ayoze Perez and Demarai Gray’s counter-attacking goal ensured the Foxes stay fourth, a point behind third-placed Chelsea with two games remaining.

Their win also means they qualified for next season’s Europa League at least.

But Rodgers wants Leicester to secure Champions League football for a second time after becoming Premier League title-winners in 2016.

“The result gives us the second-highest Premier League finish in Leicester’s history. We have two games to go to create some more history,” he said.

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“We all sat down at the start of season and said, it would be huge challenge for Leicester to get into Europe, so do that in my first season here, to guarantee that is a phenomenal achievement.”

The hosts, who dominated most of the game, went ahead when impressive 19-year-old debutant Luke Thomas crossed low to set up Perez after 29 minutes.

They should have extended their lead after the break when Harvey Barnes was twice denied by United goalkeeper Dean Henderson after clever through balls by Jamie Vardy.

The Foxes’ top scorer also hit the post, and it looked as though Sheffield United might be fortunate enough to equalise when Jack O’Connell’s shot was tipped wide by Kasper Schmeichel.

But, as the game hung in the balance, substitute Gray, on for Barnes, collected Vardy’s pass and beat Henderson to finally seal the win after 79 minutes.

Leicester’s victory was only their second in six games since the restart but it was a timely boost for Rodgers’ team, who moved three points clear of fifth-placed Manchester United.

Blades boss Chris Wilder was fuming with his players afterwards as the result ended a four-game unbeaten run which included wins over Tottenham, Wolves and Chelsea.

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They remain eighth, two points behind sixth-placed Wolves, with the prospect of European football next season now out of their hands.

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