Seven years after producing the largest shock in Premier League historical past, Leicester is now attempting to drag off an amazing escape.

Leicester Metropolis’s Jamie Vardy celebrates scoring their first aim (REUTERS)

The Foxes shocked the world of soccer by successful the league title in 2016 as a 5000-1 outsider. Now they’re making an attempt to beat the chances as soon as once more by securing top-flight survival in a season when the specter of relegation has by no means been distant.

Whereas a 1-1 draw with relegation rival Leeds on Tuesday did little to ease Leicester’s issues, it showcased a combating spirit that shall be important if the membership is to keep away from the drop.

“It’s optimistic because they are good players. We can be a good team,” manager Dean Smith said. “If we cut out the lapses of concentration from set-pieces we’ll be fine.”

Veteran striker Jamie Vardy rolled again the years by equalizing within the eightieth minute after Luis Sinisterra had put Leeds in entrance.

Vardy was the talisman of Leicester’s title success, scoring 24 targets. In its place at Elland Street, he regarded as deadly as ever when he swept a shot previous Illan Meslier, however on the age of 36 he has develop into an more and more peripheral determine.

Vardy’s aim on Tuesday was his first within the league since October.

How Leicester might do with a peak Vardy to assist hearth it to security within the closing levels of the season.

“Happy for him because it’s not been a fruitful season, however (it is) good to have him scoring with 5 video games to go,” Smith mentioned.

The draw towards Leeds leaves Leicester one level and one place above the relegation zone, with the underside three groups all having performed a sport fewer.

However Leicester can take consolation from the truth that it does have historical past relating to pulling off an escape act.

Whereas the title success is rightly thought of the best within the league’s historical past, the Foxes’ achievement the season earlier than was outstanding in its personal proper when a run of seven wins of their final 9 video games noticed them rise from the underside of the desk to keep away from relegation.

Leeds can be within the thick of the battle to remain up, in sixteenth place, one level forward of Leicester.

“The dressing room is really disappointed but we have a point and we have to play five games, being ready to be at our best,” supervisor Javi Gracia mentioned.

VILLA IN FIFTH

Aston Villa had regarded at risk of relegation when Unai Emery took over in October.

His predecessor Steven Gerrard had left the membership after securing simply two league wins, with the crew one place above the underside three.

Emery has turned Villa’s fortunes round in spectacular trend, with Tuesday’s 1-0 win towards Fulham transferring it as much as fifth and in competition to qualify for the Europa League.

Villa’s rise has come on the again of a run of 10 video games with out defeat, together with eight wins.

Tyrone Mings scored the one aim of the sport towards Fulham.

“We are in the top 10. We are in the Europa position,” Emery mentioned. “There’s nonetheless Liverpool and Tottenham and Brighton and we’re going to battle with them however with every match we’re successful, it’s giving us confidence and likelihood to get there.”

WOLVERHAMPTON FEARS EASE

Wolverhampton is as much as thirteenth after a 2-0 win towards Crystal Palace, and prime flight security is inside attain.

Joachim Andersen scored an personal aim after three minutes and Ruben Neves struck from the penalty spot in stoppage time to safe the three factors.

Julen Lopetegui’s crew is now 9 factors forward of the relegation zone after recovering from the setback of dropping to relegation rival Leicester over the weekend.

“We are happy,” Lopetegui mentioned. “Three days ago we were sad and today we are happy because we got a good victory against a good team. We had to suffer but we got the win.”