It was a defining moment in Premier League history. Eden Hazard’s cute, first-time finish which sailed above Hugo Lloris and nestled into the top corner of the Stamford Bridge net, in turn levelling things against Tottenham, was a beautiful goal. What it signified for Leicester City, though, was something far greater than just a spectacular finish, it was the most defining moment in the club’s history – by far.
Hazard’s equaliser meant that Chelsea had come from two goals behind to draw 2-2 with Tottenham Hotspur – Leicester’s only remaining rivals for the title back in 2016. The result meant that Spurs could no longer mathematically catch the Foxes and secured the East Midlands club their first ever Premier League title, something that was priced up at odds of 5000/1 prior to the campaign starting the previous August.
It was a remarkable achievement that left the footballing world in a state of complete shell shock, especially given the fact that precisely 12 months earlier Leicester were in contention to be relegated from the top-flight all-together. They ended up finishing 14th under the guidance of Nigel Pearson – just six points above the bottom-three – where Hull, Burnley and QPR eventually succumbed to the unforgiving clutches of the Championship. Even the world’s most optimistic Leicester City fan wouldn’t have foreseen what unfolded a year later.
If Leicester win the league at 5000/1, it will be the biggest odds to come in of any one event, on anything, ever. pic.twitter.com/Pwe31Sdoip
— Footy (@Footy) April 25, 2016
Fast-forward three seasons and Leicester have attained one 12th-placed finish two consecutive 9th-placed finishes in the Premier League; pretty solid stuff. This time out, though, they are once again taking the football world by storm, steadily emerging as Liverpool’s main title rivals after an exceptional start under Brendan Rodgers. Just two defeats in the league all season has seen Leicester rise back to the dizzy heights of second in the Premier League table.
This weekend, the Foxes came from behind to beat Everton in the last minute, keeping the gap between themselves and leaders Liverpool to eight points. While that is a sizeable points difference, they are by no means out of reach.
THE MATCH-WINNER! ?@67Kelechi ??? pic.twitter.com/XpT6zGx8x6
— Leicester City (@LCFC) December 1, 2019
At the start of the campaign the Foxes were priced at odds of 500/1 to win the Premier League – the same odds as you can get for Elton John to become next Watford boss on Paddy Power – now, they are as short as 14/1 with some bookmakers.
Back in 2015-16, punters could still get Leicester at odds of 1000/1 to win the title in early-November, with their odds to go on and win the league eventually slashed to 25/1 at Christmas. It’s safe to say that the bookies have wised up this time around.
Catching Liverpool will be a huge challenge given the sheer consistency the Reds are displaying at the moment. Jurgen Klopp’s men have not lost a league match since January and have won every league game they’ve played this term – except against Manchester United, where they were held 1-1 by Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s side at Old Trafford in October.
Indeed, winning the Premier League this season will not come easily for Brendan Rodgers and Leicester but as history as shown us, they have certainly got it in them.