Top 10 Leicester City Moments Of 2015

Speculation was rife throughout the summer as to who would succeed Nigel Pearson as Leicester City manager and few predicted that Claudio Ranieri would be the man unveiled. The popular Italian joined his new squad at a training camp in Austria upon arrival and soon led the squad to new heights in the Premier League. 

The Great Escape 

Nine games to go and seven points adrift of safety. Not a problem for Leicester City, as under the guidance of Nigel Pearson they completed the Premier League’s greatest-ever survival feat by winning seven and drawing one of those fixtures to secure safety with a game to spare. Astonishing. 

Victory Over West Ham United 

With the Foxes widely written off, a defiant Esteban Cambiasso declared that survival was still possible in his pre-match interviews as he quoted basketball great Michael Jordan. The Argentine went on to score the opener while it was Academy graduate Andy King who got the winner to send the clap banner wielding Blue Army wild. It was a 2-1 victory that kick started a run of form that’s still going strong to this day. In fact the Foxes have lost just three times in the league since. 

Jeffrey Schlupp Completes FA Cup Fightback 

In an early indicator of the quality and the fight within the City squad, they battled back from a goal down to complete a remarkable turnaround in a tough FA Cup Fourth Round tie away to Spurs. Andros Townsend’s penalty game Tottenham a lead at White Hart Lane before Leo Ulloa levelled to set up a grandstand finish. Then in stoppage time, up stepped Academy graduate Jeffrey Schlupp to win the match and leap high into the air for our favourite goal celebration of the year. 

Joe Dodoo’s Debut Hat-Trick 

On a cold Tuesday night in Bury, young winger Joe Dodoo announced himself to Leicester City fans with a stunning hat-trick on his professional debut. The Foxes ran out 4-1 winners on the night but it was all about Dodoo, who was fittingly set up for his hat-trick goal by team-mate Jeffrey Schlupp, who also scored a treble on his debut itn the same competition in 2011. 

Clean Sheet Pizza 

Headline writers across the world rejoiced as new City boss Claudio Ranieri, anxious for his team to keep a clean sheet, promised to buy the squad a pizza when they finally kept their first shutout. That day finally arrived with a 1-0 win over Crystal Palace and the gaffer duly delivered, with his squad treated to a special pizza making class at local restaurant Peter Pizzeria. 

Jamie Vardy – Record Breaker 

Jamie Vardy scored for 11 consecutive Premier League games in 2015. It is one of the most remarkable goalscoring feats ever seen in this country and stands alone as a Premier League record. The England international broke Ruud Van Nistelrooy’s previous record of 10 with a stunning run and finish against Manchester United to confirm his place in the history books. 

Top Of The Tree At Christmas 

On Christmas Day is 2014, the Foxes were rock bottom and facing the prospect of relegation. Fast forward 12 months and they were flying high at the Premier League summit. It’s a turnaround almost beyond comprehension and one that’s been achieved just twice before in the entire history of English football by Burnley and Norwich City. 

Esteban Cambiasso Wins Player Of The Year 

It was one year of magic with Esteban Cambiasso at Leicester City. It ended in 2015, but he took with him the Club’s Player of the Year trophy at May’s annual awards dinner. The Argentine magician gave Foxes fans some wonderful memories during his stay at King Power Stadium and memories of the role he played in the escape will not be easily forgotten. 

Sixty Seconds At Burnley 

With so many wonderful moments in 2015, the importance of Leicester City’s victory over Burnley is often overlooked. It was a 1-0 win that moved the Foxes out of the relegation zone for the first time in 2015 but one that was decided in a dramatic 60 seconds. Matthew Taylor won a penalty but struck it against the upright and before Burnley had a chance to blink, Jamie Vardy was bundling the ball over the line at the other end – effectively ending the home side’s survival hopes.