Henry Winter: Incredible title dream comes true for Leicester

N’Golo Kanté was playing in the eighth tier of French football five years ago. Claudio Ranieri was sacked as Greece coach 18 months ago after being beaten by the Faroe Islands. Leicester themselves were almost relegated a year ago, almost dropping into the Championship, while now they are heading as top seeds into the Champions League. Leicester’s thrilling, incredible story is a morality-tale, as well as a fairytale. Never give up.

So Chelsea’s second-half performance was a perfect tribute to Leicester. Never give up. Harry Kane and Son Heung Min had put Spurs in charge but Eden Hazard’s arrival after the break changed everything; Gary Cahill pulled one back, Hazard equalised, Vardy and all of Leicester partied while the FA will have to look at the dirtiest Premier League game of the season, including Mousa Dembélé’s apparent attempt to gouge the eyes of Diego Costa, Mauricio Pochettino becoming embroiled in a mêlée, even as a peacemaker, and a rolling maul at the end that disappeared down the tunnel. Some of the challenges indicated a loss of composure and discipline by Spurs, especially Eric Dier towards the end.

This was a match so filthy that Robert Huth, Leicester’s uncompromising defender, tweeted “what a game... makes me look an angel”. When the sulphur cleared on the Battle of Stamford Bridge (2016, not 1066), the vision of Leicester’s achievement began to take shape: they have shown the Barclays Premier League, and the world, that dreams can be achieved without fortunes, that teamwork counts, and their spirit was captured in that wonderful explosion of joy in Vardy’s house as Mark Clattenburg’s final whistle resounded around the Bridge, and flooded through the Vardy flatscreen into his house and his team-mate’s hearts. The hangovers in Leicester will be long, the memories will never ebb.

Leicester’s players deserved this because they stuck together during tense times, because they all played the seasons of their lives. From back to front, they all did their jobs, and delivered. Kasper Schmeichel made so many vital saves on the occasions a robust back-line was breached. The full backs, Danny Simpson and Christian Fuchs, gave width at times while never, ever forgetting their defensive duties, making blocks and tackles.

Wes Morgan and Huth were immense in the centre, dominating the airwaves. The defence was well-shielded by Kanté and Danny Drinkwater, who hunted down the ball and launched attacks. Out wide, Riyad Mahrez brought subtlety and creativity while Marc Albrighton kept stretching opposing defences with his pace. Vardy has brought belief, acceleration, an eye for goal and Footballer of the Year and title glory. Chat stuff, get medals. Shinji Okazaki, Leonardo Ulloa, Jeff Schlupp and others played their parts too.

A few dark chapters makes the fairytale an uncomfortable read at times, not least Vardy’s abuse of a Japanese man in a casino, his splenetic reaction to a poor referee in Jonathan Moss and the all-in wrestling of Huth at times, but this is otherwise a feel-good story, even captivating Hollywood. As Leicester are rightly lauded, Spurs must not be forgotten. In a season when the bigger names of Chelsea, Manchester City, Manchester United and Arsenal failed, Pochettino’s bright, young side attacked and attacked, leading the chase of Leicester.

In the first half, Spurs simply refused to read the script, and mocked the idea of bowing to public demand. They were constantly verbally assailed. The blues were brothers for the night, the King Power twinned in fraternal amity with the Bridge. “Let’s do it for Ranieri,” read a sign clutched by one Chelsea fan in support of their club’s former manager.

Chelsea were all defiance for 35 minutes. Cesc Fàbregas flicked a boot out at Dembélé. Clattenburg was letting plenty go early in, applying Derby rules, rather than Queensberry. Kyle Walker kicked Pedro. So much action. Son shot wide. Kane swept a free kick over. Hugo Lloris tipped over a shot from Costa. Chelsea were so focused on getting into Spurs territory that Guus Hiddink unwittingly took up temporary residence in Pochettino’s area.

Pochettino was prowling up and down, hands thrust deep into his pockets, urging his players on. His players responded, raising their game, striking suddenly twice before the break.

With Dele Alli suspended, the new firm, Kane and Son, did brisk business, emphatically finishing quickfire moves. Spurs were quicker in mind and body than Chelsea; one of Antonio Conte’s many jobs is to introduce more speed into the side. Spurs’ first came ten minutes from half-time. Christian Eriksen played the ball in to Érik Lamela, who cleverly guided it behind Chelsea’s back-line. Kane timed his run perfectly, and Jake Collin, the assistant referee, deserves huge praise for keeping his flag down and spotting the Spurs striker was onside. Kane ran through, rounded Asmir Begovic, and stroked in his 25th Premier League goal of the season.

With a minute remaining before the break, Branislav Ivanovic underhit a pass, Kane nicked possession and Spurs did their high-class cobra act. Eriksen passed to Son, who took a touch and then placed the ball between Begovic and the keeper’s left-hand upright.

Sadly, the half finished with a mêlée when Rose caught Willian. Pochettino charged into the middle of the ruck, during which Dembélé attempted that disgraceful gouging of Costa’s left eye. Spurs seemed in control of the game if not their nails. Yet Chelsea had other ideas. Their fans demanded a reaction, more incisive attacking at least.

Hazard was terrific, a real outlet on the left. Costa looked more like the muscular, menacing target-man of last season. After the striker forced a 58th-minute corner, Cahill lost Toby Alderweireld, and controlled the ball with his right foot and then propelled it with his left into the back of the net.

Chelsea fans celebrated with a passion that could have equalled that of the Leicester fans and those at Vardy’s. There was more drama to come. With seven minutes left, Hazard found Costa, and then accepted the return, racing away from Dembélé and curling the ball brilliantly past Lloris. Kane picked up the ball and screamed in agony.

It was all over bar the scything. Dier poleaxed Hazard and Fabregas. The FA will look into all the mayhem. The Premier League will focus on presenting the title to Leicester. What a crazy, glorious season.