Leicester's Impossible Dream - Gary Lineker's Story of the 2015/16 Premier League Season

Download Subtitles

Transcript

0:00:26 > 0:00:28For those of us born and raised here,

0:00:28 > 0:00:31Leicester will forever hold a special place in our hearts.

0:00:31 > 0:00:35It's the city that nurtured me, shaped me and provided me

0:00:35 > 0:00:39with both purpose and a platform to launch myself into a wider world.

0:00:39 > 0:00:40Comes to Lineker.

0:00:40 > 0:00:43That's good play.

0:00:43 > 0:00:45But it's never been seen as a fashionable place -

0:00:45 > 0:00:50a provincial frump restricted to the shadows of the national agenda,

0:00:50 > 0:00:54a place that inspires footnotes rather than headlines.

0:00:54 > 0:00:56The same could be said of its football team,

0:00:56 > 0:01:02which has spent much of its 132-year history outside of the top tier

0:01:02 > 0:01:04as it has tackling England's elite.

0:01:07 > 0:01:08Even the city's motto

0:01:08 > 0:01:11seems tailored to Leicester's unremarkable nature -

0:01:11 > 0:01:15"Semper eadem", "Always the same."

0:01:15 > 0:01:17But every now and again in life,

0:01:17 > 0:01:21the unremarkable gives rise to the highly improbable.

0:01:21 > 0:01:23NEWSREADER: One of the biggest

0:01:23 > 0:01:25archaeological discoveries of recent times.

0:01:25 > 0:01:29The bones of Richard III are discovered in Leicester.

0:01:29 > 0:01:32The confirmation that remains discovered in a council car park

0:01:32 > 0:01:37in September 2012 were those of a late 15th century king of England

0:01:37 > 0:01:41drew Leicester out of those shadows and into the spotlight.

0:01:41 > 0:01:45The fate of Richard III captured the imagination of the entire city,

0:01:45 > 0:01:48and made waves across the world.

0:01:48 > 0:01:52Two and a half years later, when the last of the Plantagenet dynasty

0:01:52 > 0:01:54was finally laid to rest at Leicester Cathedral,

0:01:54 > 0:01:58the city's football team were rock-bottom of the Premier League,

0:01:58 > 0:02:03doomed to relegation after less than a year back in the top flight.

0:02:03 > 0:02:07But, then, as if inspired by its people's mass show of respect

0:02:07 > 0:02:08for a long-dead king,

0:02:08 > 0:02:12another remarkable thing happened to this unremarkable city.

0:02:12 > 0:02:14It's on target! It's in!

0:02:14 > 0:02:16Terrific from Leicester City!

0:02:16 > 0:02:19This has to be the greatest escape from relegation

0:02:19 > 0:02:21that the Premier League has ever known.

0:02:21 > 0:02:24An incredible sequence of seven wins from their last nine matches

0:02:24 > 0:02:27saw Leicester retain their Premier League status -

0:02:27 > 0:02:31and what had looked like the end proved to be just the beginning.

0:02:31 > 0:02:33For, barely 12 months later,

0:02:33 > 0:02:37England would boast its newest and most unlikely ruler.

0:02:37 > 0:02:40Oh, what a screamer!

0:02:40 > 0:02:42The achievement of the century.

0:02:42 > 0:02:44..which lifted everybody -

0:02:44 > 0:02:46even people that weren't heavily into football.

0:02:46 > 0:02:49This is the greatest sporting story of all.

0:02:49 > 0:02:51He has done it!

0:02:51 > 0:02:53It's unbelievable, G. It's unbelievable.

0:02:53 > 0:02:56This is the story of not only the most incredible

0:02:56 > 0:02:57Premier League season ever,

0:02:57 > 0:03:01but perhaps the biggest shock in the history of team sport,

0:03:01 > 0:03:05and how Leicester's winter of discontent became glorious summer.

0:03:10 > 0:03:12The architect of Leicester's survival

0:03:12 > 0:03:14had been manager Nigel Pearson.

0:03:14 > 0:03:18But one too many off-field dramas would see him depart,

0:03:18 > 0:03:22as the Foxes sought a fresh blueprint for the new season.

0:03:22 > 0:03:25Enter stage right - Claudio Ranieri.

0:03:25 > 0:03:29The appointment of the 63-year-old former Chelsea boss was unexpected,

0:03:29 > 0:03:31and, on the face of it, underwhelming.

0:03:31 > 0:03:35His most recent assignment, managing the Greek national side,

0:03:35 > 0:03:39ended badly, with a defeat to the Faroe Islands.

0:03:39 > 0:03:40It was hardly inspiring.

0:03:41 > 0:03:42MESSAGE ALERT CHIMES

0:03:49 > 0:03:51Look, I wanted to come back in Premier League.

0:03:51 > 0:03:56For me, it's not important, the-the...the name of the...

0:03:56 > 0:04:00Leicester is a very old club, good club.

0:04:00 > 0:04:06It's not so big like Manchester, er...Liverpool,

0:04:06 > 0:04:11but it's a very, very good history, and that is important.

0:04:11 > 0:04:15COMMENTATOR: It's here. 24th season of the Premier League.

0:04:15 > 0:04:18The start of another huge, and hopefully exciting

0:04:18 > 0:04:21and interesting season in English league football.

0:04:25 > 0:04:29It's important to entertain our fans, no?

0:04:29 > 0:04:34The fans paid the ticket, and they want to see some good football.

0:04:34 > 0:04:36We try to do this.

0:04:36 > 0:04:41COMMENTATOR: A new season, and a new era in the technical area of the KP.

0:04:41 > 0:04:45The enigmatic Claudio Ranieri replacing the prickly

0:04:45 > 0:04:48but, let's face it, successful Nigel Pearson.

0:04:48 > 0:04:49REF BLOWS WHISTLE

0:04:54 > 0:04:57Flicked on, and Morgan - we're nearly there!

0:04:57 > 0:04:58And the ball is there,

0:04:58 > 0:05:02and Jamie Vardy celebrates the first goal at the KP Stadium this season.

0:05:02 > 0:05:04Albrighton's cross.

0:05:04 > 0:05:06And it's 2-0, Mahrez!

0:05:08 > 0:05:11What a start to the new season for Leicester.

0:05:11 > 0:05:13Little drop for Schlupp.

0:05:13 > 0:05:15Early cross will reach Albrighton...

0:05:15 > 0:05:17and a deflection takes it home.

0:05:17 > 0:05:22And with a new man at the helm, they've made a fantastic start.

0:05:22 > 0:05:26I tell to my players, "Hey, you go in the stadium,"

0:05:26 > 0:05:29the first match, with the Kasabian song,

0:05:29 > 0:05:33"You are the warriors, you are to do the best for them."

0:05:33 > 0:05:34Are you a fan of Kasabian yourself?

0:05:34 > 0:05:38No, not a fan - but I know them, I know it's good rock,

0:05:38 > 0:05:39and I love rock.

0:05:39 > 0:05:41You know, we've paid our dues!

0:05:41 > 0:05:45We... Yeah. You know, we've... We've been there, haven't we?

0:05:45 > 0:05:46Through some real times.

0:05:46 > 0:05:49David Pleat, I started going down - same as you. That's right.

0:05:49 > 0:05:52Pleat out! Pleat out - and then Gordon Lee, Brian Little,

0:05:52 > 0:05:55and then Mark McGhee come in, and then Martin O'Neill,

0:05:55 > 0:05:58and then we chopped and changed, and went up and went down,

0:05:58 > 0:06:03got relegated - I were there, crying, with my long hair down here!

0:06:03 > 0:06:07I know when we score a goal, Kasabian start the song,

0:06:07 > 0:06:14that's good, because I want the warriors, and Kasabian can recharge.

0:06:16 > 0:06:18Albrighton. Purposeful. Little late...

0:06:18 > 0:06:20Back - Mahrez - 2-0!

0:06:20 > 0:06:25Leicester City make it six points out of six in the Premier League.

0:06:25 > 0:06:29Still, the goal really, is just to stay in the Premier League -

0:06:29 > 0:06:32not Champions League, or Europa League? No!

0:06:32 > 0:06:33HE CHUCKLES

0:06:33 > 0:06:36Oh, thank you, Gary, but it's not possible now.

0:06:36 > 0:06:37Slowly, slowly.

0:06:37 > 0:06:40We've seen it, when we interviewed him.

0:06:40 > 0:06:45He's something special inside - and he got all his plan in his head.

0:06:45 > 0:06:47The new boss has come in, he's tweaked a few things,

0:06:47 > 0:06:50what he wanted to. He said he didn't want to change too much,

0:06:50 > 0:06:52and it's working wonders for us.

0:06:52 > 0:06:55Those changes that he has made, the small changes,

0:06:55 > 0:06:58have proved to sort of be a little bit of magic.

0:06:58 > 0:07:01Very communicative, he talks to all the players,

0:07:01 > 0:07:03we're having fun with each other, you know?

0:07:03 > 0:07:06But, at the same time, he can switch around, you know,

0:07:06 > 0:07:09and be very focused, be very concentrated on what we need to do.

0:07:09 > 0:07:10Hey, you are sleeping. BELL RINGS

0:07:10 > 0:07:12Come on!

0:07:12 > 0:07:15He has taken everything in his stride,

0:07:15 > 0:07:16and the biggest thing of all -

0:07:16 > 0:07:19he's dealt with the players magnificently.

0:07:19 > 0:07:20I think he brings good tactics.

0:07:20 > 0:07:23A lot of work defensively,

0:07:23 > 0:07:24and a lot of...

0:07:24 > 0:07:28Me, for example, if I don't work, I don't play.

0:07:28 > 0:07:31I think Mr Ranieri thinks about it tactically a bit differently.

0:07:31 > 0:07:33I mean, he'll probably look all the way down

0:07:33 > 0:07:35to the opposition's laundry lady

0:07:35 > 0:07:38to see if he can find a weakness that we can exploit.

0:07:38 > 0:07:42He's like a grandad to football - you want to give him a hug.

0:07:42 > 0:07:44It's the calmness, as well, he brings with it. Didn't he? Mm.

0:07:44 > 0:07:47Everyone stay calm, you know? Stay focused and calm.

0:07:47 > 0:07:49Hey, diddly-dee, diddly-dong, wake up!

0:07:49 > 0:07:51His press conferences, do you know what I mean?

0:07:51 > 0:07:52He's got them eating out of his hands.

0:07:52 > 0:07:54He has actually developed an image,

0:07:54 > 0:07:57which I've never known in any manager

0:07:57 > 0:07:59in my time covering the Premier...

0:07:59 > 0:08:01Well, or even the old First Division.

0:08:01 > 0:08:04There are some men who are in trouble

0:08:04 > 0:08:06when they must change something.

0:08:06 > 0:08:08No, no, no, no. I am like Christopher Columbus -

0:08:08 > 0:08:11I want to go, I want to go, I want to know.

0:08:13 > 0:08:16It was a distinctly less relaxed mood in the Chelsea dugout,

0:08:16 > 0:08:20with Jose Mourinho at the centre of a medical emergency.

0:08:20 > 0:08:22Why?! Why?! Is he dying?!

0:08:24 > 0:08:27The doctor was out, and the champions and their manager

0:08:27 > 0:08:29would struggle to overcome the effects

0:08:29 > 0:08:31of this self-inflicted wound.

0:08:31 > 0:08:34By contrast, Manchester City were in fine fettle -

0:08:34 > 0:08:38their attacking prowess boosted by a summer spending spree.

0:08:38 > 0:08:40Navas. Great ball.

0:08:40 > 0:08:42De Bruyne! It is four.

0:08:44 > 0:08:46Neighbours United had also splashed the cash,

0:08:46 > 0:08:50and manager Louis van Gaal was winning over the fans.

0:08:50 > 0:08:51According to him, anyway.

0:08:51 > 0:08:57The fans are shouting every week, "Louis van Gaal's army!

0:08:57 > 0:09:00"Louis van Gaal's army!"

0:09:02 > 0:09:03In North London, Arsenal recovered

0:09:03 > 0:09:06from a chastening opening day defeat,

0:09:06 > 0:09:08and, by the start of October,

0:09:08 > 0:09:10were living up to the preseason hype.

0:09:10 > 0:09:123-0!

0:09:12 > 0:09:15Devastating finish from Alexis Sanchez!

0:09:15 > 0:09:19Harry Kane endured a frustrating start to his sophomore season,

0:09:19 > 0:09:23but he and Spurs soon started to turn things around.

0:09:23 > 0:09:25Off the mark at last!

0:09:25 > 0:09:27At Liverpool, manager Brendan Rodgers

0:09:27 > 0:09:30paid the price for a string of tepid performances -

0:09:30 > 0:09:34the Reds turning to Germany to find his successor.

0:09:34 > 0:09:36I'm the normal one, maybe. If you want this.

0:09:36 > 0:09:37LAUGHTER

0:09:37 > 0:09:40Whilst Liverpool made their continental selection,

0:09:40 > 0:09:43winless Sunderland opted for the full English -

0:09:43 > 0:09:45Sam Allardyce returning to the north-east

0:09:45 > 0:09:48following Dick Advocaat's decision to quit.

0:09:48 > 0:09:51Six straight defeats meant that Tim Sherwood

0:09:51 > 0:09:54wasn't afforded the same luxury by Aston Villa.

0:09:54 > 0:09:56It might have been all change elsewhere,

0:09:56 > 0:09:59but the wins kept coming for free-scoring Leicester.

0:09:59 > 0:10:02Now all they needed to do was tighten up at the back.

0:10:02 > 0:10:05My players doesn't want pizza - maybe don't love pizza,

0:10:05 > 0:10:10because I said, "When we make clean sheet, I pay to everybody a pizza."

0:10:10 > 0:10:12Sako...

0:10:12 > 0:10:15Needed to be punched away by Schmeichel.

0:10:15 > 0:10:17Played through to Vardy.

0:10:17 > 0:10:18Vardy's chance.

0:10:18 > 0:10:21Hennessey can't stop him...

0:10:21 > 0:10:24Nobody can stop Jamie Vardy right now!

0:10:24 > 0:10:26They've beaten Crystal Palace.

0:10:26 > 0:10:30And it is a first clean sheet of the season for the Foxes, too.

0:10:30 > 0:10:34Now Claudio Ranieri will have to keep good on his promise.

0:10:34 > 0:10:36This is going to be expensive for you.

0:10:36 > 0:10:39Yeah, no - I take a very, very cheap pizza.

0:10:41 > 0:10:43Striker Jamie Vardy's impressive displays

0:10:43 > 0:10:47had seen him earn a first international start for England -

0:10:47 > 0:10:49not bad for a man who just four years earlier

0:10:49 > 0:10:51had been playing non-league football.

0:10:51 > 0:10:54I've had to literally start from the very bottom

0:10:54 > 0:10:57of the football league pyramid, just playing Sunday league,

0:10:57 > 0:11:00and then managed to get signed up for Stocksbridge,

0:11:00 > 0:11:03who I think was in the seventh or eighth tier

0:11:03 > 0:11:04of the pyramid at the time,

0:11:04 > 0:11:08and then, from then on, I've just took it as it come.

0:11:08 > 0:11:09I managed to move to Halifax,

0:11:09 > 0:11:13where I lasted for a year and three games, I think it was,

0:11:13 > 0:11:16and then moved on to Fleetwood, where I was there for eight months,

0:11:16 > 0:11:19and then here I am today, I signed for Leicester,

0:11:19 > 0:11:21and that's where I've been ever since.

0:11:21 > 0:11:26When I met him, he's quite... some special character.

0:11:26 > 0:11:29He wanted success.

0:11:29 > 0:11:33He hankered to be the best striker in the team,

0:11:33 > 0:11:35and he going to play for England.

0:11:35 > 0:11:37He say it to me, the first day.

0:11:37 > 0:11:38And I said, "I'll help you.

0:11:38 > 0:11:40"Everything you want, I do it."

0:11:40 > 0:11:44He seems to me like somebody who's in a hurry to be...

0:11:44 > 0:11:46He's catching up. He's catching up.

0:11:46 > 0:11:49Everybody's talking about, you know, he's 29 now and - you what I mean?

0:11:49 > 0:11:51It's come a bit later for him.

0:11:51 > 0:11:54That hunger and the desire that he shows.

0:11:54 > 0:11:55When you watch him run,

0:11:55 > 0:11:59he's like a stone that skims across the water, you know?

0:11:59 > 0:12:02Honestly, his movement is deadly.

0:12:02 > 0:12:04If I was playing against him, you'd just...

0:12:04 > 0:12:06You know where he wants to run,

0:12:06 > 0:12:08he wants to run into that little channel,

0:12:08 > 0:12:10onto his right foot most of the time, and he buries it.

0:12:10 > 0:12:12What would it be like to play against him?

0:12:12 > 0:12:14I wouldn't want to play against him.

0:12:14 > 0:12:16I'd have been able to deal with him, don't worry about that.

0:12:16 > 0:12:18THEY LAUGH

0:12:18 > 0:12:20But you'd have come off the pitch knowing - hard graft.

0:12:20 > 0:12:23He makes you earn your corn for that 90 minutes.

0:12:23 > 0:12:26He makes some old school runs that players aren't interested in now.

0:12:26 > 0:12:29The young players of today want to come short, be number 10s,

0:12:29 > 0:12:31put their studs on the ball, turn, face the game.

0:12:31 > 0:12:32He does the hard yards.

0:12:32 > 0:12:34Jamie Vardy has scored

0:12:34 > 0:12:38for the eighth consecutive Premier League game,

0:12:38 > 0:12:42and he now belongs to a very exclusive club.

0:12:45 > 0:12:47Vardy, now.

0:12:47 > 0:12:50Is it going to be nine Premier League games in a row

0:12:50 > 0:12:52in which he's scored?

0:12:52 > 0:12:54And it is!

0:12:54 > 0:12:56He's only one behind the record!

0:12:56 > 0:12:58I've not even thought about the record at all,

0:12:58 > 0:12:59to be honest with you.

0:12:59 > 0:13:01Obviously, it's been mentioned a lot, but the main thing is,

0:13:01 > 0:13:04obviously, is the team, and picking up the points,

0:13:04 > 0:13:06and if someone else scores the goal that gets us the three points,

0:13:06 > 0:13:10then everyone in the dressing room will be happy.

0:13:10 > 0:13:13Jamie Vardy. Away from his man - and he's scored.

0:13:13 > 0:13:16It's the Premier League record-equalling goal.

0:13:16 > 0:13:18Ten games in a row.

0:13:18 > 0:13:21What do you put your sort of late improvement down to, Jamie?

0:13:21 > 0:13:25Just hard work, or getting a lot of help from the coaches?

0:13:25 > 0:13:27I think it's a bit of both, and obviously the players that I've got

0:13:27 > 0:13:30round me, they're the ones getting me into the positions,

0:13:30 > 0:13:33as well, and to keep a clean sheet today, as well, for the boys,

0:13:33 > 0:13:35maybe another pizza off the gaffer, who knows?

0:13:35 > 0:13:36It's been a brilliant day.

0:13:36 > 0:13:40Jamie Vardy equals the Premier League record

0:13:40 > 0:13:44set by Ruud van Nistelrooy, also in this stadium, at St James's Park.

0:13:44 > 0:13:48We're getting it sent time and time again off people's screenshots,

0:13:48 > 0:13:51and sending it me, and there were something in the paper

0:13:51 > 0:13:54the other day that he's wished me luck in breaking it,

0:13:54 > 0:13:55as long as Man U win,

0:13:55 > 0:13:58but that's just been fortunate that I've been in amongst

0:13:58 > 0:14:01the goals myself, as well, and it's took me on this run

0:14:01 > 0:14:04that I probably never would have thought would have happened,

0:14:04 > 0:14:07but here I am with a chance of breaking it on Saturday.

0:14:10 > 0:14:13Vardy's full Premier League debut came in this fixture 14 months ago,

0:14:13 > 0:14:15and he scored, of course.

0:14:15 > 0:14:17If he scores again today, it's history.

0:14:20 > 0:14:22Oh, it's a great ball.

0:14:22 > 0:14:25Vardy's in behind - Vardy's done it!

0:14:25 > 0:14:27He has done it!

0:14:28 > 0:14:33Jamie Vardy - 11 consecutive games.

0:14:33 > 0:14:35Scored in every single one of them.

0:14:39 > 0:14:41The record wasn't in my mind, and that's how I've had to be,

0:14:41 > 0:14:44cos I think if I'd have been concentrating on that, I think

0:14:44 > 0:14:45it would have affected my performances,

0:14:45 > 0:14:47and that's the last thing I wanted to do.

0:14:47 > 0:14:51He was just playing, you know, in the first season -

0:14:51 > 0:14:54in non-league - and now look what he's done, 11...

0:14:54 > 0:14:58I mean, that is an unbelievable... That is incredible.

0:14:58 > 0:15:01What a goal! He could wear clogs and he'd still score goals.

0:15:01 > 0:15:03And he's made an old lady very happy.

0:15:03 > 0:15:06ALL CHANT: Jamie Vardy's having a party!

0:15:06 > 0:15:09The mood wasn't quite so jubilant in Manchester.

0:15:09 > 0:15:11Having raced out of the blocks,

0:15:11 > 0:15:14City had begun to show signs of slowing up.

0:15:14 > 0:15:16Oh, Skrtel's fired in an absolute beauty!

0:15:16 > 0:15:20Whilst Arsenal made some unexpected slips,

0:15:20 > 0:15:24their rivals Tottenham were unbeaten since the opening day,

0:15:24 > 0:15:27and adding to a burgeoning reputation.

0:15:27 > 0:15:31However, the principal authors of these tales of the unexpected

0:15:31 > 0:15:33were unquestionably Leicester -

0:15:33 > 0:15:35and if Jamie Vardy was having a party,

0:15:35 > 0:15:38then Riyad Mahrez was definitely on the guest list.

0:15:38 > 0:15:42The Fox's VIP taking them top of the table,

0:15:42 > 0:15:46with a victory that also signalled the end for Swansea boss Garry Monk.

0:15:46 > 0:15:49The pressure was also mounting on Jose Mourinho -

0:15:49 > 0:15:53a home defeat to Premier League newcomers Bournemouth

0:15:53 > 0:15:56left the struggling champions in 16th

0:15:56 > 0:15:59as they prepared to face the unlikely pretenders to their throne.

0:16:05 > 0:16:08Fantastic noise, as ever, at the King Power Stadium.

0:16:08 > 0:16:10Leicester City has been one of THE places to come

0:16:10 > 0:16:13to hear raw football passion.

0:16:13 > 0:16:15Three in the box for Mahrez.

0:16:15 > 0:16:17It curls in - no! Vardy's in!

0:16:17 > 0:16:19Jamie Vardy scores again!

0:16:20 > 0:16:21Argh!

0:16:23 > 0:16:25The cross now comes in, and it's deep to Mahrez.

0:16:25 > 0:16:27Right edge of the six yard box. Lovely control.

0:16:27 > 0:16:30Mahrez turns. He's trying to beat Azpilicueta.

0:16:30 > 0:16:31He does beat him!

0:16:31 > 0:16:35And he beats Courtois, too!

0:16:35 > 0:16:37Pedro gets a good ball in and Chelsea

0:16:37 > 0:16:40are back in it. Remy heads into the net.

0:16:40 > 0:16:43Chelsea fans have something to cheer.

0:16:43 > 0:16:46Up to Costa, Remy into Ivanovic.

0:16:46 > 0:16:47Ivanovic...

0:16:47 > 0:16:49WHISTLE BLOWS

0:16:49 > 0:16:53The Foxes' story goes on and on because tonight by defeating

0:16:53 > 0:16:57last season's Premier League champions they are going back

0:16:57 > 0:17:00to the top of the pile in the Premier League.

0:17:00 > 0:17:02Above Arsenal, above Manchester City,

0:17:02 > 0:17:06above every other team in the land.

0:17:06 > 0:17:08They win it as a team.

0:17:08 > 0:17:12I think for us, clearly, we have no chance to go to top four.

0:17:12 > 0:17:15I feel that my work was betrayed

0:17:15 > 0:17:17and I feel sorry that I'm not a player because I promise you

0:17:17 > 0:17:22if I was a player I would face matches in a different way

0:17:22 > 0:17:24that some of them are doing.

0:17:24 > 0:17:28Betrayed, perhaps, and, three days later, finally deposed.

0:17:28 > 0:17:31But Christmas had come early for Leicester and their fans.

0:17:31 > 0:17:33We're top of the league. We're top of the league!

0:17:33 > 0:17:37Been coming down 45 years plus. Never had times like this.

0:17:37 > 0:17:41It's magical. It's absolutely magical.

0:17:41 > 0:17:43It's a dream. Excited.

0:17:43 > 0:17:45Absolutely brilliant.

0:17:45 > 0:17:48Of course, it's important not to get too carried away.

0:17:48 > 0:17:49MESSAGE CHIMES

0:17:51 > 0:17:54The Foxes clinched the Christmas number one spot with

0:17:54 > 0:17:57a win at Everton, whilst their main title rivals met at the Emirates.

0:18:00 > 0:18:02Here's Theo Walcott.

0:18:02 > 0:18:04Goes for goal and Arsenal lead!

0:18:06 > 0:18:07Ozil. Giroud moving to the left.

0:18:07 > 0:18:10Taking a pass in his stride

0:18:10 > 0:18:11and beating Hart!

0:18:11 > 0:18:14It's a huge statement-victory this.

0:18:14 > 0:18:16And there was precious little festive cheer

0:18:16 > 0:18:18on the other side of Manchester.

0:18:18 > 0:18:21Stoke City inflicted a fourth straight league defeat

0:18:21 > 0:18:26on United with some fans ready to ring in the new as 2015 ended.

0:18:27 > 0:18:31Mourinho. Get souvenir scarves.

0:18:31 > 0:18:33A Boxing Day trip to Anfield

0:18:33 > 0:18:36ended with Leicester's second defeat of the season.

0:18:36 > 0:18:39The first of three successive blanks for the Foxes that allowed

0:18:39 > 0:18:42Arsenal to see in the New Year on top.

0:18:42 > 0:18:45Giroud back to Ozil, would be brilliant. Is brilliant!

0:18:45 > 0:18:46Is magnificent!

0:18:48 > 0:18:51Whilst Vardy and Mahrez had earned top billing in the first

0:18:51 > 0:18:54half of the season, it was the ensemble cast which was

0:18:54 > 0:18:57proving to be Leicester's underlying strength.

0:18:57 > 0:19:01Devoid of star names, this was a genuine team.

0:19:01 > 0:19:03Everyone pulling in the same direction.

0:19:03 > 0:19:06Each man giving his all for the greater cause.

0:19:11 > 0:19:13They're united as a team.

0:19:13 > 0:19:15A lot of teams come together

0:19:15 > 0:19:18and they are not more than the sum of their parts.

0:19:18 > 0:19:20Leicester clearly exceeded the sum of their parts.

0:19:20 > 0:19:21I wouldn't say a team of rejects

0:19:21 > 0:19:24but Vardy sort of epitomises it most that his journey

0:19:24 > 0:19:27has been a slow one. Even the goalkeeper, Schmeichel,

0:19:27 > 0:19:29you'll never be as good as your dad.

0:19:29 > 0:19:32If you look at the back four, in many ways, without being insulting,

0:19:32 > 0:19:34it's journeymen pros.

0:19:34 > 0:19:36As a central defender yourself,

0:19:36 > 0:19:38how do you work out how good they've been?

0:19:38 > 0:19:40You look at Morgan and Huth,

0:19:40 > 0:19:42they're the sort of night-time bouncers, aren't they?

0:19:42 > 0:19:45Nobody's coming in here without a ticket.

0:19:45 > 0:19:49They've got a little bit of nastiness in their team.

0:19:49 > 0:19:52Jamie Vardy's got that nastiness, Huth's got that nastiness in him.

0:19:52 > 0:19:54The substitutes, when they come onto the pitch,

0:19:54 > 0:19:57they come on with a smile on their face, they do a job.

0:19:57 > 0:20:00Schlupp has an impact when he comes on. Ulloa,

0:20:00 > 0:20:02Andy King has had an impact.

0:20:02 > 0:20:04Okazaki gets taken off every game,

0:20:04 > 0:20:07he sprints off the pitch with a smile on his face.

0:20:07 > 0:20:10I'm sure off the pitch they'll be like best mates.

0:20:10 > 0:20:12That camaraderie comes on the pitch and off the pitch.

0:20:12 > 0:20:15You become a real tight unit and it seems like they have that.

0:20:15 > 0:20:16There are 22 players,

0:20:16 > 0:20:1923 players that are simply giving everything on the training ground.

0:20:19 > 0:20:22Without those guys, I don't think we would reach

0:20:22 > 0:20:24whatever we did until now.

0:20:24 > 0:20:28MAHREZ: We don't have, like, one star, or two star, or three star.

0:20:28 > 0:20:31We're just together, we play for each other.

0:20:31 > 0:20:35We walk out for each other. We've always been close as a group anyway.

0:20:35 > 0:20:38Whether that's when we're here or even outside of training.

0:20:38 > 0:20:41It's always a good spirit to have in the dressing room.

0:20:41 > 0:20:43We have a lot of fun together.

0:20:43 > 0:20:46Every guy on this team is simply a cool guy.

0:20:46 > 0:20:49Some are crazy, some are more crazy, some are less crazy.

0:20:49 > 0:20:53There's a brotherhood on the field. You can see every tackle,

0:20:53 > 0:20:57every run, every goal is celebrated by everyone.

0:20:57 > 0:20:59And football needs that.

0:20:59 > 0:21:03Each one could point towards a tale of disappointment or rejection.

0:21:03 > 0:21:07Time spent travelling along the game's byways.

0:21:07 > 0:21:10Yet, suddenly, here they were in football's fast lane

0:21:10 > 0:21:14hurtling towards a seemingly impossible destination.

0:21:14 > 0:21:18For some, it was a case of having something to prove.

0:21:18 > 0:21:21For others, inspiration was born of personal tragedy.

0:21:23 > 0:21:2615 Britons are now known to have died in the attack

0:21:26 > 0:21:28on a tourist resort in Tunisia.

0:21:28 > 0:21:31The mother of winger Marc Albrighton's fiancee was

0:21:31 > 0:21:34amongst the final toll of 38 victims.

0:21:34 > 0:21:38It's in my head every minute of the day of every day

0:21:38 > 0:21:43and it's never going to go away but if I'm doing well on the pitch

0:21:43 > 0:21:47and I can keep my concentration when I'm playing football and when

0:21:47 > 0:21:52I'm at work, then that's one less thing for my family to worry about.

0:21:52 > 0:21:55It does make you think whether she's looking over us as a family

0:21:55 > 0:21:59and just putting a few things right up there.

0:22:01 > 0:22:05On the pitch, a January trip to White Hart Lane as Leicester sought

0:22:05 > 0:22:06to get back to winning ways.

0:22:06 > 0:22:10And Huth is holding back. And he's scored!

0:22:10 > 0:22:13And Leicester City are back on track.

0:22:13 > 0:22:16But if Leicester were THE surprise package, then Tottenham were

0:22:16 > 0:22:18another unlikely force awakened.

0:22:19 > 0:22:22Back to Alli.

0:22:22 > 0:22:24Alli, what a goal!

0:22:24 > 0:22:28Brilliant, brilliant goal from the new England player.

0:22:28 > 0:22:31Mauricio Pochettino's exciting young side were full of emerging

0:22:31 > 0:22:34English talent that combined flair with resilience,

0:22:34 > 0:22:38reacting to that Leicester defeat in the best possible way.

0:22:38 > 0:22:40Oh, it's gone across and it's in!

0:22:40 > 0:22:46It's Kieran Trippier and Spurs go second. Tottenham are on the march.

0:22:46 > 0:22:49A late Joe Allen goal cost Arsenal two points

0:22:49 > 0:22:50in a six-goal thriller at Anfield.

0:22:50 > 0:22:54And things got even worse against a Chelsea side who had taken

0:22:54 > 0:22:56interim measures.

0:22:56 > 0:22:58Diego Costa, 1-0.

0:22:58 > 0:23:00Same old problems for Arsene Wenger against the neighbours

0:23:00 > 0:23:01from across town.

0:23:01 > 0:23:05A comfortable win over Stoke reinforced Leicester's lead

0:23:05 > 0:23:08but February would bring a run of games that would really

0:23:08 > 0:23:10test their title credentials.

0:23:12 > 0:23:17So, is the unbelievable believable for the table toppers?

0:23:20 > 0:23:23And, all of a sudden, over the top. That's for Vardy.

0:23:23 > 0:23:27Isolated, goes for it! Oh! What a screamer!

0:23:27 > 0:23:30What a goal that is!

0:23:32 > 0:23:34Unbelievable!

0:23:34 > 0:23:36Okazaki to pick up the pieces.

0:23:36 > 0:23:40Mahrez on the outside of him. He's gone for goal himself. Vardy!

0:23:40 > 0:23:41It's two!

0:23:43 > 0:23:47And they are playing football worthy of a title-winning side.

0:23:47 > 0:23:52Vardy's goal, oh, my goodness. I was purring over the pass from Mahrez.

0:23:52 > 0:23:54I thought that was world-class

0:23:54 > 0:23:57and then you get a finish like that from Vardy and it was amazing.

0:23:57 > 0:23:58We're all speechless.

0:23:58 > 0:24:01I were looking all game and he were quite far off his line

0:24:01 > 0:24:03so as soon as Riyad played it through, it bounced quite high

0:24:03 > 0:24:07and I've got no support, I just took me chance and luckily it's gone over the top of him.

0:24:07 > 0:24:09Goal of the season, no doubt about it.

0:24:11 > 0:24:15Four days later, a summit meeting with second place Manchester City

0:24:15 > 0:24:19for whom a week-long "Pep" talk had apparently done no favours.

0:24:19 > 0:24:21In from Mahrez in the end...

0:24:21 > 0:24:26And it's in! It's Robert Huth! And Leicester City are in front.

0:24:26 > 0:24:29It's Riyad Mahrez. Wonderful skill!

0:24:29 > 0:24:30Oh, what a goal!

0:24:30 > 0:24:36Riyad Mahrez with a fantastic strike to double Leicester's advantage.

0:24:39 > 0:24:42In towards Morgan. Huth got there first.

0:24:42 > 0:24:44Oh, and he's scored again.

0:24:44 > 0:24:49Robert Huth with his second and Leicester's third!

0:24:49 > 0:24:52It's a 15th Premier League win for Claudio Ranieri's team

0:24:52 > 0:24:56of this season, but, surely, this is the most significant.

0:24:56 > 0:24:59CHANTING

0:25:03 > 0:25:07If Ranieri was off to Europe then he had one of the continent's

0:25:07 > 0:25:09standout players in Mahrez.

0:25:09 > 0:25:12Not bad for a man consigned to the reserves of French

0:25:12 > 0:25:15second division side Le Havre just a few years earlier.

0:25:20 > 0:25:22I used to play in the second team

0:25:22 > 0:25:26because people was more strong than me, more big, more fast.

0:25:26 > 0:25:31People used to like a big, strong player.

0:25:31 > 0:25:38But since six years, five years, since Spanish, they were all small.

0:25:38 > 0:25:42Skinny but they won the Euro, they won the World Cup.

0:25:42 > 0:25:46They start thinking you don't have to be strong or fast

0:25:46 > 0:25:48to be a big footballer.

0:25:48 > 0:25:52What has Mahrez given Leicester this season? He's given that X factor.

0:25:52 > 0:25:55He's given that touch of class.

0:25:55 > 0:25:57Unbelievable feet, great skills.

0:25:57 > 0:25:59Nutmegs everybody.

0:25:59 > 0:26:01Does all that stuff and you think to yourself,

0:26:01 > 0:26:03"He's going to run out of steam."

0:26:03 > 0:26:06There's nothing of him. His legs are like two toothpicks.

0:26:06 > 0:26:09You need someone to give that ball to and almost turn away

0:26:09 > 0:26:12and think, "He's going to do it." And he's that guy.

0:26:13 > 0:26:17I used to love football more than school and everything.

0:26:17 > 0:26:22So, even after school, straight away after school

0:26:22 > 0:26:25I would play football with my friends.

0:26:25 > 0:26:32Then I go to training. Train. I used to play everyday, football.

0:26:32 > 0:26:35If you work, you progress.

0:26:35 > 0:26:40Valentine's Day and a double date for the Premier League's top four.

0:26:40 > 0:26:43Second place Spurs would travel to Manchester City

0:26:43 > 0:26:48but not before a high noon showdown for the leaders at the Emirates.

0:26:48 > 0:26:49Now it's Vardy.

0:26:49 > 0:26:52Vardy goes down, penalty.

0:26:52 > 0:26:55Penalty to Leicester City just before half-time.

0:26:55 > 0:26:58Monreal on Vardy.

0:26:58 > 0:27:00Arsenal fans not happy.

0:27:02 > 0:27:04And even less happy now as

0:27:04 > 0:27:08Leicester City take the lead in the last minute of the first half.

0:27:11 > 0:27:15Giroud trying to get away from Simpson.

0:27:17 > 0:27:20Is Simpson going to be given a red here?

0:27:20 > 0:27:23It's two yellows for Danny Simpson.

0:27:23 > 0:27:26A red card shown by Martin Atkinson

0:27:26 > 0:27:28and Ranieri's team are down to ten men.

0:27:30 > 0:27:33Bellerin making the extra man on the right-hand side.

0:27:33 > 0:27:35Giroud. Here's Walcott!

0:27:37 > 0:27:40It's Theo Walcott for Arsenal.

0:27:44 > 0:27:45Oh, it's gone in.

0:27:47 > 0:27:49Danny Wellbeck!

0:27:51 > 0:27:55The fairytale finish. Arsenal have won it.

0:27:55 > 0:27:57Heartbreak for the Foxes.

0:27:57 > 0:27:59And the breath of the chasing pack

0:27:59 > 0:28:01could be felt on the back of their necks.

0:28:03 > 0:28:04Welcome to Manchester.

0:28:04 > 0:28:08It's often been a chilling message for Spurs in recent history

0:28:08 > 0:28:11but if their current winning run continues here there will be

0:28:11 > 0:28:14a real feeling that this Spurs team can make history.

0:28:16 > 0:28:18Rose, four waiting for it.

0:28:19 > 0:28:22And it's a free kick right on the corner of the penalty area.

0:28:22 > 0:28:24Or is it a penalty?

0:28:24 > 0:28:27Has Mark Clattenburg pointed to the spot? Yes, he has.

0:28:27 > 0:28:29Handball Stirling. Penalty Tottenham.

0:28:31 > 0:28:34Harry Kane against Joe Hart. This is his moment.

0:28:35 > 0:28:39And Kane slots it past Joe Hart to give Tottenham Hotspur the lead.

0:28:46 > 0:28:48Silva. Clichy's on to it.

0:28:48 > 0:28:52Clichy's pulled back. Iheanacho lashes it in!

0:28:54 > 0:28:58Lamela now, fresh legs for Spurs. Through to Eriksen.

0:28:58 > 0:29:01Eriksen in and Eriksen has scored!

0:29:01 > 0:29:05And the Spurs go marching on.

0:29:05 > 0:29:08Five Premier League wins in a row.

0:29:08 > 0:29:13And there's a real chance of a first Tottenham title since 1961.

0:29:19 > 0:29:22One man making a difference to Manchester United's

0:29:22 > 0:29:25indifferent season was 18-year-old striker Marcus Rashford.

0:29:26 > 0:29:31Back in! Oh, would you believe it? Rashford again!

0:29:31 > 0:29:34It's all going the young man's way!

0:29:34 > 0:29:37His emergence in February stopped his manager from taking the fall.

0:29:37 > 0:29:41Arsenal's form had taken a dive and defeat to Swansea

0:29:41 > 0:29:43all but ended their title hopes.

0:29:43 > 0:29:46Sigurdsson takes it. Petr Cech didn't make it.

0:29:46 > 0:29:50Now the inquest will start all over again regarding Arsene Wenger

0:29:50 > 0:29:51and Arsenal.

0:29:53 > 0:29:56Manchester City's challenge had also faded by the start of March.

0:29:56 > 0:29:58League Cup success quickly forgotten

0:29:58 > 0:30:01as Liverpool avenged Wembley woe.

0:30:01 > 0:30:04And it's in from Firmino!

0:30:04 > 0:30:07Liverpool running away with it!

0:30:09 > 0:30:12The race for the title was effectively down to two horses,

0:30:12 > 0:30:16both lacking championship pedigree - Leicester and Tottenham.

0:30:16 > 0:30:21The home comforts afforded by the King Power had proved vital

0:30:21 > 0:30:22throughout the campaign.

0:30:22 > 0:30:25The atmosphere on match days was electric.

0:30:25 > 0:30:27The fans truly playing their part.

0:30:27 > 0:30:31As soon as this season got going, Leicester established themselves

0:30:31 > 0:30:35as probably the noisiest crowd in terms of the size of it anyway.

0:30:35 > 0:30:37The fans and everyone are brilliant.

0:30:37 > 0:30:39They've got all the clappers now

0:30:39 > 0:30:41which...they're all you can hear on match days.

0:30:41 > 0:30:44The clappers make a big difference and well done to the owners.

0:30:44 > 0:30:49They wanted to make the King Power stadium feel pretty noisy.

0:30:49 > 0:30:50They've been able to do that.

0:30:50 > 0:30:55The players feel that if they play at home, they feel safe

0:30:55 > 0:30:58because support is there.

0:30:58 > 0:31:01So when you're playing in front of your tribe, your group,

0:31:01 > 0:31:04your stadium, people raise their game.

0:31:04 > 0:31:07And I think you can draw on the inspiration of a wider community.

0:31:07 > 0:31:09Sometimes you never know when you need it.

0:31:09 > 0:31:11They can always be the 12th man.

0:31:12 > 0:31:14Vardy inside.

0:31:14 > 0:31:15And so is Ulloa!

0:31:15 > 0:31:19What a noise and what a huge goal that could be!

0:31:19 > 0:31:22This stadium is really outstanding.

0:31:22 > 0:31:25These fans here, it's really, really loud

0:31:25 > 0:31:27so my family was here the first game of the season

0:31:27 > 0:31:30and they couldn't even talk to each other because it was that loud.

0:31:30 > 0:31:33THEY CHEER

0:31:33 > 0:31:36The atmosphere around the whole city, there's a buzz around

0:31:36 > 0:31:40the place and everyone's optimistic at what this team can achieve.

0:31:40 > 0:31:44It's beautifully laid off. Fabulous!

0:31:44 > 0:31:49The city, to coin a phrase, is on fire. It's on fire.

0:31:49 > 0:31:55Every, like... You know, everyone down there...

0:31:55 > 0:31:57Everyone...at the school.

0:31:57 > 0:31:59You can't go anywhere. Cab drivers.

0:31:59 > 0:32:02It's...it's insane what it's done.

0:32:02 > 0:32:05I think there's also a sense in which a multicultural city

0:32:05 > 0:32:08united behind them. I think they drew energy

0:32:08 > 0:32:10and inspiration from that.

0:32:10 > 0:32:13All we have to do from now to the end of the season is

0:32:13 > 0:32:16think of ourselves as champions and play like champions.

0:32:16 > 0:32:19We've got the players, we've got the attitude, we've got the fans.

0:32:19 > 0:32:21The fans will do it for us. We are the 12th man.

0:32:21 > 0:32:23If only we'd bet at the start of the season.

0:32:23 > 0:32:25We'd be rich.

0:32:25 > 0:32:28Two London derbies in a week took their toll on Tottenham.

0:32:28 > 0:32:31Defeat at West Ham, and, despite Harry Kane's heroics,

0:32:31 > 0:32:35a draw with ten-man Arsenal meant five dropped points.

0:32:35 > 0:32:37Bellerin into Sanchez!

0:32:37 > 0:32:39Sanchez levels it.

0:32:40 > 0:32:44Capital punishment made worse by Leicester's win at Watford.

0:32:45 > 0:32:47Mahrez...scores!

0:32:48 > 0:32:50Fantastic Mr Fox!

0:32:50 > 0:32:52It's beginning to look like it might be possible.

0:32:52 > 0:32:56You have to start working on your pecs now because you are going to be

0:32:56 > 0:32:59sitting in that chair in your pants doing Match Of The Day next season.

0:32:59 > 0:33:00Thanks very much.

0:33:02 > 0:33:06At the bottom, a succession of fan protests marked the final days

0:33:06 > 0:33:10of Aston Villa's 29-year top-flight tenure.

0:33:10 > 0:33:11Their French manager Remi Garde

0:33:11 > 0:33:14would beat them out the Premier League door.

0:33:15 > 0:33:19Also heading towards the exit were both Norwich and Newcastle

0:33:19 > 0:33:21who turned to Rafa Benitez,

0:33:21 > 0:33:23following the sacking of Steve McClaren.

0:33:23 > 0:33:26His first task had been to stop the leaders.

0:33:26 > 0:33:28Albrighton will pick it up on the edge of the penalty area,

0:33:28 > 0:33:31back into the mix, Steven Taylor's header is unsure.

0:33:31 > 0:33:34Okazaki! Bicycle kick! What a goal!

0:33:34 > 0:33:36Shinji Okazaki!

0:33:36 > 0:33:40Five days later, a trip to Palace, and a familiar scoreline.

0:33:40 > 0:33:43Four of the last five games you've won 1-0,

0:33:43 > 0:33:45that must really satisfy you as a defender.

0:33:45 > 0:33:48I think teams approach us a bit differently now.

0:33:48 > 0:33:51They see our threat's on the counterattack,

0:33:51 > 0:33:53and they want to nullify that, make me sit a bit deep,

0:33:53 > 0:33:56so we're not scoring as freely as we did, but, at the same time,

0:33:56 > 0:33:59we're keeping the clean sheets, which is fantastic.

0:33:59 > 0:34:03The manager's pizza was in danger of running out. Sausages, anyone?

0:34:03 > 0:34:07Thank you, thank you. Also to my sharks, huh? Take them to my sharks.

0:34:07 > 0:34:09OK. Thank you.

0:34:10 > 0:34:14The Easter break saw the Vardy party shift to Germany.

0:34:14 > 0:34:17There was also first international recognition

0:34:17 > 0:34:20for Leicester's twin engines of N'Golo Kante and Danny Drinkwater.

0:34:20 > 0:34:24The footballing transients were suddenly household names.

0:34:24 > 0:34:28Kante - he is the gold. He is the real find.

0:34:28 > 0:34:31Great signing. The big clubs didn't see it

0:34:31 > 0:34:32and Leicester City stepped in.

0:34:32 > 0:34:35He's had a season to remember for the rest of his life.

0:34:35 > 0:34:37I love him, I mean, he covers so much ground.

0:34:37 > 0:34:40I think... I remember one of your tweets about it, it was quite funny,

0:34:40 > 0:34:43but these are... That's a first. Yeah.

0:34:43 > 0:34:47But he's, erm, he's just come out of nowhere, almost.

0:34:47 > 0:34:48I'd never heard of him.

0:34:48 > 0:34:50Soon as he hit the ground in a Leicester shirt,

0:34:50 > 0:34:51you could see and you thought,

0:34:51 > 0:34:53"Oh, he wins the ball back quite a lot, doesn't he?"

0:34:53 > 0:34:56It's not something that the kids of today are really interested in,

0:34:56 > 0:34:59that winning the ball back, but it's such an important part for a team.

0:34:59 > 0:35:01This season he was an integral member of that team.

0:35:05 > 0:35:09April began for Tottenham with a Saturday tea-time trip to Anfield

0:35:09 > 0:35:12and a setback in need of a swift response.

0:35:13 > 0:35:15Eriksen, he's done well.

0:35:15 > 0:35:18Harry Kane! Great turn by Kane! Brilliant goal!

0:35:18 > 0:35:21Another memorable entry in the Harry Kane scrapbook,

0:35:21 > 0:35:23but not enough for victory -

0:35:23 > 0:35:26Spurs' frustration evident.

0:35:26 > 0:35:29When it came to Leicester's title hopes, those 5,000-1 odds

0:35:29 > 0:35:33in August might as well have read "Never in a month of Sundays."

0:35:33 > 0:35:37Now, over the course of five consecutive Sunday afternoons,

0:35:37 > 0:35:40Ranieri's side could write their names in folklore.

0:35:40 > 0:35:43The traditional roast would have to be put on hold.

0:35:46 > 0:35:47Christian Fuchs.

0:35:47 > 0:35:49Morgan still up there,

0:35:49 > 0:35:51and Morgan heads in!

0:35:54 > 0:35:56His first goal of the season!

0:36:00 > 0:36:03It's another Leicester City win,

0:36:03 > 0:36:08and it's becoming a very familiar scoreline. 1-0 Leicester.

0:36:08 > 0:36:11Six games to go.

0:36:11 > 0:36:12They are closing in

0:36:12 > 0:36:17on the most unlikely Premier League title win of all time.

0:36:17 > 0:36:23It looked even likelier as a seven-point lead briefly became ten,

0:36:23 > 0:36:25with Jamie Vardy becoming the first Leicester player

0:36:25 > 0:36:30to notch 20 top-flight goals in a season for over 30 years.

0:36:30 > 0:36:33And Vardy's got through the challenge, Mannone's come out,

0:36:33 > 0:36:35and Vardy's going to make it 2-0!

0:36:35 > 0:36:39Job done today, and almost done for the season!

0:36:39 > 0:36:43Within a couple of hours or so, Tottenham had responded in kind

0:36:43 > 0:36:46with a clinical dissection of Manchester United.

0:36:46 > 0:36:48Behind Kane to Lamela!

0:36:48 > 0:36:52Oh, Spurs are running riot!

0:36:52 > 0:36:55But they were playing catch-up. They needed Leicester to slip.

0:36:55 > 0:36:58When you've won 21 games in a season,

0:36:58 > 0:37:01how hard can it be to win three more?

0:37:01 > 0:37:03One thing is for sure,

0:37:03 > 0:37:06West Ham aren't here to form a guard of honour.

0:37:08 > 0:37:09Mahrez.

0:37:09 > 0:37:12Good ball and N'Golo Kante being chased by Winston Reid here

0:37:12 > 0:37:15and Jamie Vardy for Leicester.

0:37:15 > 0:37:171-0!

0:37:17 > 0:37:18It's that man again.

0:37:20 > 0:37:24Vardy away from Ogbonna, who's playing him onside. Goes down.

0:37:24 > 0:37:26I think he's given it the other way.

0:37:26 > 0:37:29And the card is coming out here for Jamie Vardy.

0:37:29 > 0:37:33Second yellow card and Jamie Vardy is sent off!

0:37:38 > 0:37:40Payet curls it in.

0:37:41 > 0:37:42Oh, he's given a penalty.

0:37:44 > 0:37:47Jonathan Moss has given West Ham a penalty here.

0:37:47 > 0:37:49Wes Morgan can't believe it.

0:37:49 > 0:37:51That's what he's given it for.

0:37:51 > 0:37:57It's a penalty to West Ham United, which Andy Carroll is going to take.

0:37:57 > 0:38:00Seven minutes to go. 1-1.

0:38:00 > 0:38:04Andy Carroll with a goal which is celebrated by West Ham

0:38:04 > 0:38:06and Tottenham fans alike.

0:38:08 > 0:38:11Skipping around the challenger Fuchs, Michail Antonio...

0:38:13 > 0:38:15It's dangerous, it's Cresswell!

0:38:15 > 0:38:17It's 2-1 to West Ham.

0:38:17 > 0:38:21It's a brilliant goal from Cresswell and that might change everything.

0:38:23 > 0:38:26N'Golo Kante. That's dangerous. This is promising.

0:38:26 > 0:38:28It's Schlupp for Leicester. Goes down.

0:38:28 > 0:38:31He's given a penalty, Jonathan Moss!

0:38:31 > 0:38:34Now into the fifth minute of added time

0:38:34 > 0:38:36at the end of the game

0:38:36 > 0:38:39and on the shoulders here of Leonardo Ulloa.

0:38:41 > 0:38:432-2.

0:38:43 > 0:38:47Magnificently done by Ulloa!

0:38:47 > 0:38:52It feels almost like a title celebration.

0:38:53 > 0:38:56They've snatched something from the game, Leicester City.

0:38:58 > 0:39:00Those celebrations were swiftly curtailed

0:39:00 > 0:39:03as Spurs swept aside Stoke.

0:39:03 > 0:39:06Leicester's lead reduced to five points.

0:39:10 > 0:39:15Now, four matches to go, we try to win the title

0:39:15 > 0:39:21with all our strength, heart, soul, everything.

0:39:21 > 0:39:22Today is really a must-win game,

0:39:22 > 0:39:25just to settle the nerves more than anything.

0:39:25 > 0:39:27Vardy's out, we're going to miss him,

0:39:27 > 0:39:28but I think we'll still come through.

0:39:28 > 0:39:31The key is to keep the pace up front,

0:39:31 > 0:39:34so you can allow the ball to be played over the top.

0:39:34 > 0:39:37The Tinkerman, Ranieri, he's got to tinker this week.

0:39:37 > 0:39:41RANIERI: Now is the right moment, this year or nevermore.

0:39:45 > 0:39:48Oh, Williams, that's a terrible mistake here.

0:39:48 > 0:39:51And Mahrez could put Leicester ahead and has done!

0:39:51 > 0:39:54And that is just the sort of start they needed to calm nerves.

0:39:56 > 0:39:5829 minutes played at the King Power Stadium.

0:39:58 > 0:40:02Curled it in, Ulloa, 2-0 Leicester.

0:40:02 > 0:40:05Jamie Vardy - who's he?

0:40:07 > 0:40:11Schlupp with the pace to get beyond Fernandez and can he wrap it up?

0:40:11 > 0:40:15Ulloa arriving on the far side. He went to beat him, will do now!

0:40:15 > 0:40:19Ulloa puts it in. Leicester have a third!

0:40:20 > 0:40:24Skipped beyond his man, has a look, crossed to the far post,

0:40:24 > 0:40:27King, back across, oh, great, brilliant save!

0:40:27 > 0:40:28And in by Albrighton!

0:40:30 > 0:40:37Leicester City could be champions within days. Absolutely remarkable.

0:40:37 > 0:40:40There was more to celebrate that night.

0:40:40 > 0:40:43Mahrez - voted Player Of The Year by his peers.

0:40:43 > 0:40:47Dembele forewent collecting his Young Player award -

0:40:47 > 0:40:50Spurs' focus solely on beating West Brom.

0:40:50 > 0:40:51A free kick for Spurs.

0:40:51 > 0:40:5415 yards outside the penalty area. Played in by Eriksen.

0:40:54 > 0:40:56Good delivery. Gets it in the back of the net.

0:40:56 > 0:40:59It might be the goal

0:40:59 > 0:41:02that keeps Tottenham in this title race.

0:41:02 > 0:41:06Corner floated in by Gardner. Headed in.

0:41:06 > 0:41:10It's an equaliser and it's that man Dawson,

0:41:10 > 0:41:13he's scored at both ends.

0:41:13 > 0:41:17Leicester will have the chance to win the Premier League on Sunday

0:41:17 > 0:41:19against Manchester United.

0:41:23 > 0:41:26Never before in Leicester's 132-year history

0:41:26 > 0:41:29had there been a day like this.

0:41:29 > 0:41:31A win and the title was theirs.

0:41:31 > 0:41:34Would the Theatre of Dreams play host

0:41:34 > 0:41:37to the most impossible one of them all?

0:41:37 > 0:41:41Is this a day when the most unlikely title triumph of all time

0:41:41 > 0:41:43is confirmed?

0:41:45 > 0:41:51Valencia, he's really motoring to the right. Still Valencia.

0:41:51 > 0:41:54Just too high for Rashford and here's Martial!

0:41:54 > 0:41:57Under Schmeichel, into the net.

0:41:57 > 0:41:59Barely a flicker from Claudio Ranieri,

0:41:59 > 0:42:01just a "Come on!" to his team.

0:42:01 > 0:42:03Early days.

0:42:07 > 0:42:11Fellaini's waiting, Fellaini to tee up Lingard.

0:42:11 > 0:42:13That's a super save by Schmeichel.

0:42:13 > 0:42:16He got down really smartly there.

0:42:18 > 0:42:22Morgan and Huth are forward for this. Drinkwater.

0:42:22 > 0:42:25With the chip in. He's looking for Morgan. Morgan's header.

0:42:25 > 0:42:26Leicester level.

0:42:26 > 0:42:30Yay! Come on!

0:42:30 > 0:42:33There's a beaming smile on the face of the Foxes' captain.

0:42:40 > 0:42:42Okazaki and Schlupp are ready.

0:42:42 > 0:42:45Okazaki couldn't slide and make contact. Oh!

0:42:50 > 0:42:54It's not quite enough to get the party started for Leicester,

0:42:54 > 0:42:57but it will be if their Blues Brothers Chelsea

0:42:57 > 0:42:59don't lose to Tottenham tomorrow.

0:42:59 > 0:43:02The dream would have to wait for at least one more day.

0:43:02 > 0:43:06Will you watch it? I think I'm on the flight back from Italy

0:43:06 > 0:43:08and then it's difficult for me to watch the match.

0:43:08 > 0:43:11Maybe when I land, I know the result.

0:43:16 > 0:43:20A 55-year wait to be champions can only end

0:43:20 > 0:43:24if Tottenham win here for the first time in 26 years.

0:43:24 > 0:43:27ALL: Come on, Chelsea! Come on, Chelsea!

0:43:27 > 0:43:29FANS SHOUT

0:43:33 > 0:43:35That will do, won't it? Blow the whistle, ref.

0:43:38 > 0:43:41Eriksen, he ran the corner to Lamela, poked through to Kane.

0:43:41 > 0:43:42He's onside!

0:43:42 > 0:43:47Harry Kane here for Tottenham Hotspur who have a precious lead!

0:43:47 > 0:43:48Good finish.

0:43:49 > 0:43:53Here's Eriksen. Eriksen through to Son, Son is in here.

0:43:53 > 0:43:55It's 2-0 to Tottenham!

0:43:57 > 0:43:58Oops!

0:44:00 > 0:44:04Diego Costa, Willian's in acres of space. It's Willian for Chelsea.

0:44:04 > 0:44:06Urgh!

0:44:06 > 0:44:08I know he's in, Willian, only if he sees him.

0:44:09 > 0:44:12Food's arrived to cheer us up.

0:44:12 > 0:44:14In comes the corner, Cahill's there!

0:44:14 > 0:44:16It's 2-1.

0:44:16 > 0:44:20Oh! Oh, oh! Oh! Oh!

0:44:21 > 0:44:25And now Tottenham Hotspur have a real test of their nerve.

0:44:25 > 0:44:28Lucky pizzas, lucky pizzas.

0:44:28 > 0:44:31Ranieri's pizzas, he's had them out all season.

0:44:31 > 0:44:32Here's Eden Hazard! Oh!

0:44:32 > 0:44:33Oh!

0:44:35 > 0:44:39Eden Hazard wriggling away between two, shrugging off Kyle Walker.

0:44:40 > 0:44:43Good ball, that, Diego Costa, lovely turn away from Alderweireld.

0:44:44 > 0:44:45It's Hazard!

0:44:45 > 0:44:47Yes!

0:44:48 > 0:44:54A goal good enough to win a title and it might have done just that

0:44:54 > 0:44:56for Leicester City!

0:44:57 > 0:45:00Can't breathe. I can't breathe.

0:45:00 > 0:45:04ALL: Five, four, three, two, one!

0:45:04 > 0:45:07FINAL WHISTLE BLOWS

0:45:08 > 0:45:09Yes!

0:45:13 > 0:45:17The wait is over, the story is complete,

0:45:17 > 0:45:20Leicester City are the champions of England.

0:45:23 > 0:45:29ALL: Championes! Championes! Ole, ole, ole!

0:45:31 > 0:45:34CAR HORNS BEEP

0:45:34 > 0:45:38I'm going to open this. Never, ever, ever, ever in my lifetime

0:45:38 > 0:45:41did I believe it was even remotely possible that Leicester

0:45:41 > 0:45:46would win any kind of league, let alone the Premier League. Get in!

0:45:50 > 0:45:53I know the whole House will wish to join me

0:45:53 > 0:45:57in congratulating Leicester City on winning the Premier League title.

0:45:57 > 0:45:59NEWS REPORTS IN VARIOUS LANGUAGES

0:46:03 > 0:46:05I don't often say this here on Al Jazeera

0:46:05 > 0:46:07but we are off to Leicester.

0:46:07 > 0:46:11NEWSREADERS SPEAK IN FOREIGN LANGUAGES

0:46:11 > 0:46:13Party time for Leicester City -

0:46:13 > 0:46:17that was the moment they realised the Premier League title was theirs.

0:46:17 > 0:46:21Simply can't believe that this has actually happened.

0:46:23 > 0:46:25ALL: Cheers.

0:46:25 > 0:46:29It's a miracle for the city, it's a miracle for the players, yes,

0:46:29 > 0:46:35they work hard to be in this position, not just lucky.

0:46:35 > 0:46:39I suspect that this will become a metaphor for underdogs

0:46:39 > 0:46:40all around the world.

0:46:40 > 0:46:44It's shown that if you commit yourself and you work hard, you can

0:46:44 > 0:46:47achieve greater things than perhaps people thought were possible.

0:46:47 > 0:46:50It gives players who are just still trying to find out where to go,

0:46:50 > 0:46:52they're ending out their careers, gives everybody hope.

0:46:52 > 0:46:55I think it's the greatest achievement in sport,

0:46:55 > 0:46:57never mind just football.

0:46:57 > 0:47:00We've broke the mould, Man city, United,

0:47:00 > 0:47:03the same old Arsenals, Chelseas, and we've come out of nowhere.

0:47:03 > 0:47:06Not only is it a brilliant story, but it gives everyone

0:47:06 > 0:47:09that little bit of hope again, that romance has not left football.

0:47:09 > 0:47:12Phwoar! I mean, what else can you say?

0:47:12 > 0:47:15The people came out in their thousands,

0:47:15 > 0:47:19landlocked Leicester awash in a sea of blue.

0:47:19 > 0:47:2214 months earlier, they'd been united for a burial.

0:47:22 > 0:47:24Today, it was a coronation.

0:47:27 > 0:47:33I want to introduce the great Andrea Bocelli - he's here for you.

0:47:36 > 0:47:38BOCELLI SINGS NESSAN DORMA

0:48:36 > 0:48:39It's been a long and hard process to get where I am today

0:48:39 > 0:48:42but I wouldn't have been able to do it without friends,

0:48:42 > 0:48:43family and the team behind my back.

0:48:48 > 0:48:51When you look at Leicester, we're like brothers, you know,

0:48:51 > 0:48:52that's why we won this league.

0:48:55 > 0:48:58It's something that will live with me forever and a day.

0:48:58 > 0:49:03RANIERI: The fans are dreaming, keep dreaming, why wake up?

0:49:03 > 0:49:07Leicester - steadfast, reliable, unchanging,

0:49:07 > 0:49:10but, in the space of 12 remarkable months,

0:49:10 > 0:49:14thanks to the most unlikely band of heroes the Premier League

0:49:14 > 0:49:17has ever seen, suddenly everything had changed.

0:49:17 > 0:49:19A football club, a city,

0:49:19 > 0:49:24perhaps even English football itself had all been transformed.

0:49:24 > 0:49:27And for those who had lived it, had dreamt it,

0:49:27 > 0:49:31had made it reality, life will never be the same again.