Champions Leicester earn draw at Chelsea thanks to Danny Drinkwater

Updated: May 17, 2023, 05:59 am

Premier League champions Leicester refused to be beaten as they concluded their remarkable season with a 1-1 draw at Chelsea.

Cesc Fabregas gave Chelsea the lead from the penalty spot, but their successors as champions responded through Danny Drinkwater's long-range effort eight minutes from time.

Leicester, relegation survivors 12 months ago, finished 10 points clear of second-placed Arsenal.

Chelsea ended a miserable campaign in 10th place and with doubt still surrounding the future of captain John Terry.

Owner Roman Abramovich inherited Leicester boss Claudio Ranieri as manager but sacked the Italian in favour of Jose Mourinho in 2004.

Ranieri and Leicester -- opponents in the final game of Mourinho's second spell in December -- received a guard of honour ahead of the contest.

Terry, who was serenaded by Chelsea supporters throughout, was suspended for interim boss Guus Hiddink's final match in charge.

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Finishing with a flourish was important to Leicester, but Chelsea started the stronger.

Willian's appeal for handball against Christian Fuchs was dismissed and Pedro shot across goal before Jamie Vardy fired wide at the other end.

Riyad Mahrez then played in Vardy, who beat Thibaut Courtois to the ball but could only loop it wide.

Demarai Gray had a deflected effort and saw another saved by Courtois before Kasper Schmeichel was called into action.

The Denmark goalkeeper saved well from Fabregas at his near post and then repelled a Willian shot.

Ranieri was continually gesticulating to his charges, keen for a win on his former stomping ground.

Chelsea had the lion's share of possession -- but that has not stopped Leicester this season.

Danny Simpson flashed a shot wide on the break, but Chelsea countered.

Danny Drinkwater celebrates his equaliser at Chelsea.
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Hazard slalomed into the Leicester box and passed to substitute Tammy Abraham, whose attempt to turn and shoot was blocked by Wes Morgan.

Nemanja Matic picked up the loose ball and surged forwards, but half-time substitute Jeff Schlupp mistimed his tackle and a penalty was awarded.

Replays suggested there was minimal contact, but Fabregas sent Schmeichel the wrong way.

Abraham and Ruben Loftus-Cheek were joined on the field by debutant Fikayo Tomori as Chelsea looked to the future under incoming boss Antonio Conte.

Mahrez shot straight at Courtois, who was then beaten when Ngolo Kante laid the ball over to Drinkwater.

He produced a fine strike from 25 yards as Leicester avoided what would have been only a fourth loss of the season.