Premier League Champions: A Year On

The confirmation arrived when Chelsea clawed back a two-goal deficit to hold title rivals Tottenham Hotspur to a 2-2 draw at Stamford Bridge, but it was the culmination of so much more than that. 

The fairy tale journey all started at a sun-drenched King Power Stadium back in August 2015. A resounding 4-2 win over Sunderland during Claudio Ranieri’s first game in charge gave the Blue Army a glimpse of what was to come under the Italian. 

The Foxes went on to lose just one of their next 16 Premier League games and, on several occasions, showed sensational spirit to come from behind to salvage points – the target was 40 for the season and that came as early as 2 January. 

During that run, they became the first team ever to be bottom of the Premier League table one season and top the next, while Jamie Vardy hit headlines across the world for becoming the first man ever to score in 11 consecutive Premier League games. 

Albeit unaware at the time, one of the most crucial results of the season for City followed on a chilly Wednesday night at White Hart Lane - Robert Huth’s late header against Tottenham proved vital in the title race. 

February saw massive wins against Liverpool and Manchester City – perhaps the moment when City fans started to believe the impossible was in fact achievable – while a late defeat to Arsenal at Emirates Stadium could potentially have derailed Leicester’s title bid – it didn't. 

That loss to the Gunners on Valentine’s Day was the Foxes’ final defeat of the 2015/16 season. From then on, they dropped points against just four of their next 12 opponents and in turn booked their spot in the UEFA Champions League. 

On Sunday 1 May, 2016, City headed to Old Trafford – the home of the most successful Premier League side ever – knowing a victory against Manchester United would seal their champions status. 

Despite falling behind early on, skipper Wes Morgan headed in an equaliser to secure a point for his side – it was that goal, coupled with Spurs’ draw at Chelsea, that saw the Foxes move into an unassailable seven-point lead with just two games to play. 

They would be presented with the Premier League trophy just five days later on a glorious afternoon at King Power Stadium, before being given a guard of honour at Stamford Bridge by the 2014/15 champions. 

On this day in 2016, Leicester City became champions of England for the first time in their history.