On this day in 2016, Leicester City players gathered at Jamie Vardy’s home to see if they could complete an incredible run for the Premier League title.
Six years ago, Leicester were on the verge of the most incredible league-winning campaign in the history of the Premier League.
Having narrowly avoided relegation the previous season, the club had appointed Claudio Ranieri in the summer and the team went on an incredible run to make the impossible suddenly seem possible.
On May 2, title hunters Tottenham Hotspur, attempting to win their first league title since 1961, traveled to champions Chelsea in a must-win match.
The Blues were having a terrible season, but they knew that preventing London Spurs from taking all three points would result in Leicester being crowned champions.
As things were about to heat up in London, Foxes players gathered at Vardy’s home to watch the game, as life imitated art, with the fan chant “Jamie Vardy is partying” coming to life. .
The game at Stamford Bridge would become known as the ‘Battle of the Bridge’, but it began under relatively basic circumstances for that campaign.
Harry Kane scored his 25th league goal of the season, and when Son Heung-min doubled the lead before halftime, it looked as if the champagne would have to freeze as Spurs looked for their first win against the Blues since 1990.
A challenge from Danny Rose on Willian caused angry scenes, with Mauricio Pochettino entering the field to divide the two men, before Moussa Dembele gouged out Diego Costa’s eyes in the melee.
Spurs were lucky Rose wasn’t sent off for the challenge, but then at halftime the momentum shifted when Eden Hazard came on as a substitute.
Chelsea took the lead with the Belgian’s addition, despite his poor season to date, but it was Gary Cahill who scored his first goal.
Hazard scored the equalizer with seven minutes remaining and things only got uglier with challenges from the visitors, inspired by the Chelsea players who had said they wanted to outdo their rivals and help Leicester build up to the match.
When the full-time whistle blew, it ended Spurs’ slim hopes of winning the league and caused incredible scenes at Vardy’s house party.
Ranieri’s side faced Everton five days later at the King Power Stadium, where fans were able to join their heroes in celebrating the title.
Before kick-off, the players and manager were serenaded by Andrea Bocelli singing Nessun Dorma, before beating the Toffees 3-1.
They finished the season with a 1-1 draw against Chelsea to finish with 81 points and went on to win the title by 10 points, showing the difference between them and the rest.
However, it wasn’t Spurs they beat, as Pochettino’s side lost 5-1 to relegated Newcastle United on the final day and slipped behind Arsenal in third place.
Although it was the Battle of the Bridge that gave Leicester its incredible title, that night was all about the scenes at the Vardy residence.
Easily the best party in Premier League history, fitting for possibly the biggest title win of the era!