3rd May

Apologies for the last couple of days, I've been buried under football and social events. Speaking of football...

It's All Over

Football is a funny thing. When Sergio Aguero fired home with almost the last kick of the game to turn around a 2-1 deficit to win Manchester City the league in 2012, I was absolutely convinced that I would never see a more incredible moment in football. It was such a colossal moment, when the entire Premier League hinged on one last gasp chance, that it would surely never be replicated. 

And then this season happened. Yes, there hasn't been one single moment where Leicester snatched victory from the jaws of defeat, but if any moment comes close, it has to be the moment when Eden Hazard fired Spurs out of the title race once and for all. But nevertheless, this story is bigger, more incredible and infinitely less likely than Aguero's late winner. And this season has built, not on one moment, but on a hundred glorious moments. 

Football is a funny thing. It's been several weeks since we all knew that Leicester were going to win the title. Every single result of theirs has been cheered up and down the land, until, finally, last Monday, Spurs cracked. And that was that. It's been over since then, and we've all known it in our heart of hearts. It was a shame Leicester couldn't finish it on their own terms, but as Eden Hazard ran through and fired into the top corner, pandemonium in Leicester. It was finally, officially over.

And of course, everyone will have their opinion. Some will be happy to crow that Spurs bottled it, that they were close to securing the title and threw it away. But the title was not lost by Spurs tonight, or even last Monday. The truth is, the title has been won over the past three months, when Leicester have picked up an unmatched 24 points out of a possible 30 since losing to Arsenal, whilst in that period, Spurs picked up a respectable 19 and Arsenal and City picked up 16 and 17 respectively. Leicester City won this title by turning up and getting results in huge games, as they have done all season. 

There are so many moments that could be picked out, moments when just as the crowds were ready to laugh in Leicester's face as they inevitably blew it, moments where Leicester shrugged and carried on as if nothing was wrong. Whilst every other big side crumbled under pressure, Leicester laughed in the face of it. They were nearly relegated last season, this kinda pressure is nothing compared to that. 

In terms of season defining moments, Leicester have already produced so many, but let's look at some of the highlights: 

Leicester 3-2 Aston Villa: This was one of the first of what became a trademark Leicester City comeback in the early stages of the season. 2-0 down against an Aston Villa side that only four games into the season didn't quite look like the trainwreck they would become, and nor did Leicester even dream of a title, with two early wins and two draws under their belt. But this game was one that signaled the fate of both these sides: Leicester destined for glory, and Villa for despair, as Nathan Dyer headed in on debut after Jamie Vardy had scored for the second game in a row to equalise with less than ten minutes left. 

Leicester 1-1 Man United: This one was the one that sealed Jamie Vardy's 11-game run of scoring. Up until this point, the Vardy story seemed bigger than the Leicester story. With Man City running along nicely, despite a few setbacks, they were still thoroughly expected to take the title, with Arsenal still probing behind. But nevertheless, Vardy's goal was a record-breaking one and one that kept eyes on Leicester. It was also a big point for Leicester, their 7th consecutive game unbeaten, a run that would become ten before they came unstuck on Boxing Day. 

Spurs 0-1 Leicester: Robert Huth's header seven minutes from time is one of the biggest goals of Leicester's season without a doubt. No win and no goal in three games, and the sharks swirling around, ready to write them off, Leicester recovered with a win that put them level on points with league leaders Arsenal and cement them as well and truly in the title race. Also, in the scheme of things, if that result had gone the other way, the seven point cushion Leicester currently have would have evaporated. 

Man City 1-3 Leicester: With so many decisive performances from February onwards, it's hard to narrow it down but this one has to be in there. This was the result that not only KO'd Man City in the title race, but put Leicester five points clear of Spurs, and established them as real title contenders. But it was also a showcase of everything Leicester have done right this season. Soak up pressure, vicious counter attacks, tear teams to shreds. Magnificent display.

Leicester 1-0 Norwich: Everyone was queuing up to tell the story of Leicester City. Their style meant that they would start to fall apart as soon as teams sat off them and forced Leicester to break them down. Leicester could beat Man City but they'd fall apart in the latter stages of the season against the likes of Norwich, Palace and Newcastle. And for 88 minutes, that could well have been the case against Norwich, before Leo Ulloa fired Leicester into a five point lead at the top of the table ahead of the North London Derby. And in terms of confidence, having lost to Arsenal, it was vital that Leicester got back on the horse.

There are so many more moments and results to choose from, which is what makes Leicester's season so special. This was a title race conducted professionally, like champions do. Flair in the early stages, with some terrific comebacks and a never say die spirit. Every time they lost, they went at least seven games unbeaten again, they rolled with every punch and recovered instantly. And when the pressure was on, in the last three months of the season, Leicester did what champions do. Start at the back, clean sheets, grind out results, with five 1-0 scorelines in six games after the Arsenal result. This is a Leicester side that have found every way they've needed to to get results, that have vaulted every hurdle, every point where there were new ways for them to lose, they avoided them. And whilst everyone else around them has fallen apart as the pressure got to them (Arsenal picking up just two wins in seven games after beating Leicester - the Foxes picked up six in that same time period; City losing to Liverpool, Spurs, Leicester, Southampton and United; and Spurs completely lost their heads last night, half of their team could have been sent off) Leicester have carried on winning with a cool head. 

Leicester City deserve this title victory, and now, in one of the most if not the most incredible story in football history, they have it.

The Hard and Fast Section

• Leamington lost in the final. Yeah, it hurts. 
• The relegation battle is really heating up. Yikes.
• The race for 4th is hotting up as well. 
• EMRE CAN.