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Premier League
May 15, 2016 at 3pm UK
 
Leicester logo

1-1

Fabregas (66' pen.)
FT(HT: 0-0)

Live Commentary: Chelsea vs. Leicester City - as it happened

Find out how Leicester City claimed a 1-1 draw from their trip to Chelsea with Sports Mole's text updates.
2

Champions Leicester City claimed a 1-1 draw from their trip to Chelsea this afternoon.

Cesc Fabregas put the Blues ahead from the penalty spot in the 66th minute.

However, the visitors responded eight minutes from the end when England international Danny Drinkwater fired in.

Find out how the season-ending match unfolded with Sports Mole's text updates below.


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Afternoon all. So, after 37 rounds of matches, we have reached the finish line. In truth, Chelsea will be glad to see the back of this season, while Leicester City will want it to go on forever! One thing is for sure, both of these teams have certainly contributed to it being one of the most memorable Premier League campaigns ever. Now, they face each other for the final 90 minutes in West London.

First of all, though, let's get the team news from Stamford Bridge...

TEAM NEWS!

Chelsea: Courtois; Azpilicueta, Cahill, Ivanovic, Baba Rahman; Fabregas, Matic; Pedro, Willian, Hazard; Traore
Subs: Begovic, Tomori, Loftus-Cheek, Kenedy, Oscar, Pato, Abraham

Leicester: Schmeichel; Simpson, Wasilewski, Morgan, Fuchs; Kante, Drinkwater, King, Mahrez, Gray; Vardy
Subs: Schwarzer, Albrighton, Amartey, Schlupp, Okazaki, Ulloa, Chilwell


As expected, Thibaut Courtois has recovered from illness to take his place between the posts for Chelsea. Could this be the Belgian goalkeeper's last game as a Chelsea player? There have been suggestions over recent months that he will be on the move this summer, with Real Madrid and Barcelona both said to be interested. In defence, Branislav Ivanovic has passed a fitness test on a groin injury and captains the team in the absence of the suspended John Terry - more on him later.

Thibaut Courtois shows off his impressive nasal side profile on December 14, 2015© Getty Images


Further forward, Pedro is back in the team despite suffering with a broken nose - there is every chance that the Spaniard will be wearing one of the face masks that have become so fashionable this season! It means that Ruben Loftus-Cheek finds himself named among the substitutes, while the in-form Eden Hazard features again.

There is no Diego Costa up front, with reports suggesting that the bullish centre-forward is a doubt for Euro 2016 because of a hamstring problem. It has not been a vintage year for the Spaniard, but he is still Chelsea's leading goalscorer in the league with 12. Twenty-year-old Bertrand Traore starts instead, with loanee frontman Alexandre Pato once again on the bench.

Yet, while Costa has had his problems this year, the same cannot be said of Leicester's main marksman Jamie Vardy. He limped off with cramp against Everton last time out, but with the Golden Boot in his sights, there was never any danger of him missing this game. Vardy has found the net 24 times in the league, one less than Tottenham Hotspur's Harry Kane. He'll need at least two today, but you wouldn't put it past him!

Jamie Vardy celebrates scoring during the Premier League game between Leicester City and Everton on May 7, 2016© Getty Images


There is no Robert Huth against his former side because of suspension, which has handed a rare chance to Marcin Wasilewski alongside skipper Wes Morgan in defence. The other change comes further up the pitch, with Shinji Okazaki being replaced by Demarai Gray.

And just quickly, let's have a look inside the Leicester dressing room:



A lot of the attention today, understandably, will be on Claudio Ranieri - the Leicester boss. He remains a popular figure at Stamford Bridge from his spell in charge during the early 2000s. He was sacked by owner Roman Abramovich in 2004 in favour of Jose Mourinho.

Here's some of what Ranieri had to say about his return:

"It is good because last time I left the Premier League [in 2004] I went through my players and they made the guard of honour. It was amazing.

"Now I will come back in the same way. It is unbelievable. I am satisfied, of course, but not in terms of 'it is revenge'. No, no, no. I am not a man who wants revenge. I know my job very well and sometimes maybe the owner wants to change you because you don't fit in with him."


One final thing on Ranieri, it seems that there is no animosity between him and the Chelsea owner!



So, what about the man that Ranieri once managed - Mr Terry. He is not in the Chelsea squad today because of suspension and as it stands, will be leaving his boyhood club at the end of the season. There is a contract offer on the table, but in Terry's own words, it is for a "different role". He is yet to make a decision, so it's all a bit of mystery right now.

In short, Terry and his team-mates have had a nightmare season. Regardless of today's result, they have made the worst defence of a Premier League title ever. They can finish no higher than ninth, although they are unlikely to drop into the bottom half. Talk about a season to forget!

STAT! Only Aston Villa have won less!



The Chelsea players are out on the pitch early to form a guard of honour for the Leicester players. Now, there's a sentence I never thought I'd type!

KICKOFF! As this match gets underway, here is a clip of that guard of honour:



Early attack from Leicester as Drinkwater floats a pass over the top of the Chelsea defence. Gray goes scampering after it, but before he can get there, Courtois is off his line sharply to clear the danger.

BREAKING NEWS! Huge news from elsewhere - Manchester United vs. Bournemouth has been abandoned because of a suspect package found inside Old Trafford. The story is developing here.

CHANCE! Back at Stamford Bridge, Chelsea winger Pedro cuts in from the left flank and goes for goal with his right foot. The ball looks like it has beaten Schmeichel in the Leicester goal, but also the far post as it flies wide.

CHANCE! Up the other end, Vardy is hunting for that Golden Boot trophy. He wriggles free inside the area to open up a shooting chance. His left footed effort has plenty of power, but it is lacking in direction and goes off target.

CHANCE! Now it's Gray's chance to try his luck for Leicester. The young winger fires goalwards from 30 yards out. Courtois is worried enough to cover his angles, but the ball flies wide in the end.

As you would expect, there is a real end of season feel to this game. Neither side is exactly at full throttle here.

As we enter the 26th minute, chants of 'John Terry' go up and fans are holding up the number 26 - his squad number. It's clear they don't want him to leave.

Nothing further to report, all a bit dull!



CHANCES! All of a sudden, we have some action! Chelsea venture forward as Pedro sees his near-post shot turned behind by Schmeichel. Then, up the other end, Mahrez plays in Vardy and the striker calls Courtois into action. Let's hope that has livened things up!

SAVE! What a season Schmeichel has had between the posts for Leicester. Willian's effort seems destined for the top corner, but the Danish keeper spectacularly turns the ball over the crossbar with one hand. Superb stuff.

Back come Leicester as Mahrez tries to pick out his partner in crime Vardy with a cross, but it's just too high and the chance is gone.

HALF TIME: CHELSEA 0-0 LEICESTER

There goes the whistle for the break. In truth, it's not been a great half. But, in fairness, I'm not sure you could expect much more when you consider that there is nothing to play for.

We'll return for the second half shortly! Until then, here's more on the drama at Old Trafford.

RESTART! We are back underway at the Bridge.

LEICESTER SUBS: There was a double change by Ranieri at the break that has seen King and Gray come off, with Schlupp and Okazaki entering the action.

MATCH ACTION!



CHELSEA SUBS: Now it's Chelsea's turn to make a couple of alterations. Youngsters Loftus-Cheek and Abraham enter the fray, with Pedro and Traore coming off.

Almost an instant impact from the lively Abraham. But, as he looks to get a shot away, Morgan slides in with a fantastically timed challenge to clear up the danger.

SAVE! Meanwhile, some sustained pressure from Leicester ends with their two substitutes combining. Schlupp crosses towards the near post for Okazaki, who flicks the ball deftly. Some of the Leicester fans are celebrating, but Courtois gets down well to save at the final moment.

CHELSEA SUB: It's an unfamiliar name stepping off the Chelsea bench. It's a debut for Fikayo Tomori in place of Ivanovic. The youngster has gone to right-back, with Azpilicueta moving inside alongside Cahill

PENALTY TO CHELSEA!

GOAL! CHELSEA 1-0 LEICESTER (FABREGAS, PEN)

Well, that was calmly done by Senor Fabregas. He sends Schmeichel the wrong way from 12 yards out to put the home side in front. It came about after Schlupp had wiped up Matic inside the penalty area, giving the referee an easy decision to make.

The goal has lightened the mood at the Bridge!



There's not really been much of a reaction from Leicester to that goal. A cross from Fuchs briefly interested Vardy, but it was too high in the end.

LEICESTER SUB: Final switch of the afternoon for Leicester sees Mahrez leave the action and Albrighton come on in his place.

GOAL! CHELSEA 1-1 LEICESTER (DRINKWATER)

Firstly, the defending from Chelsea is poor. Nobody is within 10 yards of Drinkwater when he hits the ball. But, take nothing away from the Leicester midfielder, who strikes it so well from distance. It flies into the bottom corner of the net, leaving Courtois no chance. All level in the capital.

Will we have a winner? Ranieri certainly wants another goal. He's standing on the touchline, urging his players to push forward.

Three minutes of stoppage time at the end of this contest.

FULL TIME: CHELSEA 1-1 LEICESTER

There goes the whistle, bringing an end to the 2015-16 season. Fittingly, Leicester nabbed a late equaliser to ensure that their fantastic campaign did not end on a losing note.

That is all we have time for from Stamford Bridge. Thanks for joining us this afternoon and until next time, goodbye.

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Cesc Fabregas of Chelsea in action during a Pre Season Friendly between Chelsea and Fiorentina at Stamford Bridge on August 5, 2015
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