Everton manager Roberto Martinez has heaped praise on Premier League title-winners Leicester City and insisted that the Foxes' unlikely triumph is no accident.
Leicester, who were 5,000-1 to top the league at the start of the season, were confirmed as top-flight winners for the first time in their history earlier this week when Tottenham Hotspur surrendered a two-goal lead to draw at Chelsea.
The Foxes will be crowned champions in their last home match of the season this weekend against Everton, and Toffees boss Martinez was full of praise for opposite number Claudio Ranieri and his side.
"Claudio Ranieri deserves incredible plaudits and credit," Martinez told reporters. "Everything has been well measured; he has shown real good experience in protecting the squad and team throughout the period.
"Clearly what Leicester have achieved is an incredible reward, and a deserved reward in probably the most competitive league in world football.
"I don't think it has been an accident. In a competition of 10 months they are where they are on merit and Claudio Ranieri deserves incredible credit."
Everton come into the match 11th in the table, 33 points behind the leaders.
Pascal Lemesre
