Leicester City seal automatic Premier League return

By Sports Desk April 27, 2024

Leicester City are once more a Premier League team, having bounced straight back after relegation last season.

The Foxes secured automatic promotion without kicking a ball, as title rivals Leeds United lost 4-0 away to Queens Park Rangers on Friday.

Marti Cifuentes' Hoops side gave their fans a reason to cheer in their final home game of the season, and the emphatic win means they are now seven points clear of the relegation zone.

The Hoops boss told BBC Sport: "I came here, perhaps I was crazy thinking we could manage the great escape.

"The atmosphere has been unbelievable since I came here. Everybody thought tonight could be a special night to achieve our target.

"Big players deliver big performances and our players all did that tonight."

Defeat ensured only Ipswich Town can now finish above Leicester, meaning the Foxes will be back in the big time.

Ipswich, who have three games left to play, face play-off hopefuls Hull City on Saturday.

Speaking to BBC Sport, Leeds boss Daniel Farke said: "It's not in our hands any more [automatic promotion], we need to be honest.

"The race is not over. If Ipswich win the next two games then I will say congratulations, but if they don’t win them then we will have a lot to play for.

"As long as we have a chance, I’m far away from giving up."

Leicester could be crowned champions if they beat Preston North End on Monday and if Hull beat Ipswich.

The Foxes are looking to break the 100-point barrier, despite a wobble from Enzo Maresca's side in recent months.

After they had been so far ahead and top for all but two of the 176 days between 23 September and 17 March, an untimely dip in form handed Leeds and Ipswich hope.

However, while Leicester celebrate their promotion, they face the daunting prospect of starting next season with a points deduction, after they were charged by the Premier League with alleged breaches of the competition's Profit and Sustainability Rules (PSR).

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    City were humbled 4-0 by Tottenham at the Etihad Stadium on Saturday, losing a fifth straight game in all competitions.

    Liverpool capitalised on that result, coming from behind to beat lowly Southampton 3-2 on Sunday and moving eight points clear at the top in the process.

    Ruben Amorim made his bow as Manchester United boss in a 1-1 draw with Ipswich Town at Portman Road, while Chelsea and Arsenal are hot on Man City's heels.

    We also saw a managerial departure, with Leicester City parting ways with Steve Cooper after four league matches without a win.

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    Unlucky losers: Fulham

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    But while Wolves were excellent on the counter and clinical when their chances came, it is fair to say Fulham were unfortunate to concede four times, given they only gave up 1.3 expected goals against (xGA).

    Indeed, Fulham and Wolves both had 10 shots, while both teams also had 23 touches in the opponents' box.

    It was a bad day at the office for Marco Silva, but he can at least take solace that the numbers suggest they were somewhat unfortunate.

    Unlucky losers: Bournemouth

    Bournemouth were beaten 2-1 by Brighton on Saturday, as the Seagulls held off their south coast rivals despite Carlos Baleba's red card.

    David Brooks pulled one back for Bournemouth late on, as Andoni Iraola's team fell short of their 1.6 xG.

    Brighton, on the other hand, accumulated just 0.9 xG, the third-lowest total of any of the 18 games to have been played across Saturday and Sunday.

    Bournemouth had 19 shots but only got five of them on target. Brighton, on the other hand, sent four of their six attempts on target.

    Lucky winners: Tottenham

    Time for some controversy...

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    Yet, the metrics suggest Tottenham were fortunate to keep a clean sheet, with City - who had 23 attempts - accumulating 2.1 xG.

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    "It seems like we're not really dealing with the moments when it goes bad. There's moments like the Tottenham game which we do really well. The main issue is both boxes. We're conceding too many goals. I don't think we played a bad game the other day but we lost 4-0."

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    His second goal in that match was also his 100th away from Anfield for Liverpool in all competitions.

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    Only Manchester City striker Erling Haaland (12) has bettered Salah's tally of 10 goals this term.

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