Match Reviews

Champions Leicester fight back at Chelsea

By 17 May 2016

Foxes earn draw on Ranieri's return to Stamford Bridge; Everton win; Watford hold Sunderland

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A superb strike from Danny Drinkwater denied Chelsea the chance to mark Guus Hiddink's final match in charge with a win, earning Barclays Premier League champions Leicester City a 1-1 draw at Stamford Bridge.

Chelsea 1-1 Leicester | #CHELEI

Hiddink took over from Jose Mourinho in December and helped steer the club into the top half of the table, but Drinkwater's effort ensured he would not get a winning send-off before Antonio Conte takes the reins next season.

Leicester clinched the title following Chelsea's 2-2 draw with Tottenham Hotspur on 2 May, and the Foxes were welcomed onto the pitch by last season's winners with a guard of honour - Claudio Ranieri, Blues manager from 2000 to 2004, receiving a warm ovation from the home fans.

Kasper Schmeichel produced excellent saves to keep Willian and Cesc Fabregas out in the first half, but he was beaten 21 minutes after the restart. After substitute Jeffrey Schlupp felled Nemanja Matic inside the box, Fabregas slotted a cool finish from the penalty spot beyond the Dane.

The deposed champions were unable to see out the win, though, with Drinkwater, returning from suspension in place of Shinji Okazaki, firing beyond Thibaut Courtois - back in the line-up after recovering from illness - with eight minutes remaining.

Stoke's win at home to West Ham leaves Chelsea 10th after a season of stagnation, while Leicester end their memorable campaign 10 points clear of second-placed Arsenal at the summit.

Baines scores from the spot
Leighton Baines scores for Everton in the 3-0 victory over Norwich

Everton 3-0 Norwich | #EVENOR

Everton's academy graduates shone as caretaker manager David Unsworth led a young team to a 3-0 victory over relegated Norwich City.

At the end of a week in which Roberto Martinez was sacked as Everton manager, Under-21s coach Unsworth blooded some of the club's most promising young stars and they did not let him down at Goodison Park.

James McCarthy opened the scoring in the sunshine on Merseyside and Leighton Baines made it 2-0 with a penalty before half-time, but all eyes were on midfielders Tom Davies and Kieran Dowell, both of whom made vital contributions.

The second half saw young defender Jonjoe Kenny provide the assist for Kevin Mirallas to make it 3-0 and the home crowd were left with much cause for optimism after the final match of Everton’s BPL campaign.

The result was Norwich's ninth defeat in their last 10 away matches and manager Alex Neil will be hoping his side can improve their form in the hope of mounting a promotion charge in the Championship next season.

Adlene Guedioura Keeps His Eye On The Ball
Jack Rodwell pressures Watford's Adlene Guedioura for the ball

Watford 2-2 Sunderland | #WATSUN 

Sunderland earned an entertaining 2-2 draw at Watford in their first match since securing their Barclays Premier League safety.

Sam Allardyce's men avoided relegation with a 3-0 win over Everton on Wednesday, and the manager made nine changes for Sunday's match at Vicarage Road, including debuts for Rees Greenwood and Thomas Robson.

The visitors twice took the lead through Jack Rodwell and Jeremain Lens, either side of Sebastian Prodl's equaliser.

But they were denied a two-goal advantage on two occasions as Duncan Watmore and then Dame N'Doye saw efforts ruled out for offside.

To make matters worse for Sunderland, referee Kevin Friend then awarded the home side a spot-kick when John O'Shea was adjudged to have fouled Jose Manuel Jurado.

Troy Deeney converted for his 13th league goal of the season as Watford secured a point for Quique Sanchez Flores in his last match in charge.

 

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