And then we were done. This season’s Premier League campaign has finally concluded and although it has been something of a slog at times, there was once again another dose of last day drama to consume.
For those who were involved with matters on the field and those who have largely had to watch from the comfort and safety of an armchair, navigating this latest edition of the Premier League has been something of an arduous task.
However, this is always a competition that delivers when it matters most and with as many as seven clubs aiming for some form of European qualification, Sunday was always going to deliver a number of twist and turns.
None more so, than at the King Power Stadium and with both Leicester and Tottenham harbouring desires of some form of European football, their meeting in the East Midlands was always going to be a tantalising sub-plot to the day.
Of course, going into the final round of fixtures, Leicester found themselves lying fifth in the table and with both Liverpool and Chelsea also looking to earn one of the two remaining Champions League berths, an additional focus was also placed on events at both Anfield and Villa Park.
All Leicester could really do is win and hope for fortune elsewhere and they got off to a perfect start when after a short VAR delay, they were awarded a penalty. One that was smashed home by former England forward Jamie Vardy.
Of course, when it comes to the topic of England forwards, there is only one who is generating the headlines right now and with Harry Kane restoring parity for Tottenham before the interval, the balance of qualification power had tilted back in the direction of Liverpool and Chelsea.
Even though Chelsea were losing at Villa Park, Leicester were not in a position to take full advantage just yet and by the time Jamie Vardy slotted home a second penalty of the afternoon, the top four pendulum had swung east across the Midlands.
Then again, there was still time for plenty of drama and with Kasper Schmeichel bundling a Tottenham corner into his own net, Ryan Mason’s men had drawn level with only 15 minutes of the game remaining.
A blunder that seemingly took the wind out of Leicester’s sails and with Tottenham substitute Gareth Bale slotting home three minutes from time, any potential celebrations at the King Power had now turned into a wake.
Chelsea were still losing at Villa Park at this point, but fundamentally it did not matter and although Tottenham fans will be uneasy at handing a huge favour to their local rivals, they can at least take some comfort in earning qualification to next season’s Europa Conference League.
An invite that was confirmed in the dying seconds of the game and as Gareth Bale was given the freedom of the pitch, he would play an inadvertent one-two with the post and wrap up all three points for the visitors. Disaster for Leicester, an element of joy for Tottenham.
