Leicester City Wait For Title Goes On

 

Leicester must wait to claim the Premier League title after being held to a 1-1 draw with Manchester United in a pulsating clash at Old Trafford. Needing victory on Sunday to claim the first top-flight title in their 132-year history, Claudio Ranieri's side started nervously and they were behind in the eighth minute after Anthony Martial's ninth league goal of the season.

The visitors showed the character that has underpinned their campaign so far, levelling the scores nine minutes later thanks to captain Wes Morgan's header. After the break, both sides continued to push forward in search of a winner as both Leonardo Ulloa and Riyad Mahrez went close, before Chris Smalling's header rattled the post with just over 10 minutes remaining.

Ranieri's men could be crowned champions without kicking a ball if Tottenham fail to beat Chelsea at Stamford Bridge on Monday Night Football. With Jamie Vardy still suspended, Ranieri stuck with the same side that won 4-0 at home to Swansea, but the visitors made the worst possible start and were made to pay when Antonio Valencia's cross reached Martial at the far post, and the Frenchman stroked the ball through the legs of Kasper Schmeichel.

There was controversy in the 22nd minute, as Robert Huth appeared to grab Fellaini's hair and the Belgium international reacted by lashing out twice, once with his elbow and then with his hand. However, both escaped punishment after referee Michael Oliver missed the incident. Oliver was back in the spotlight 10 minutes later when Danny Simpson gave away the ball away to Lingard on the halfway line. The winger looked to race through on goal but went to ground under the challenge of the Leicester full-back. Last man Simpson would surely have been sent off if the official had deemed the challenge a foul but he instead waved play on.

Ranieri's men were forced to see out the game with 10 men after Drinkwater picked up his second yellow card for a foul on substitute Memphis Depay right on the edge of the penalty area with the home fans screaming for a penalty. But despite the numerical disadvantage, Leicester held on to inch closer to a historic Premier League crown, which could now be sealed as early as Monday night.