Leicester return home for first game since tragedy; draw Burnley 0-0

Leicester City 0 : 0 Burnley

Two minutes silence preceded the game as Leicester City returned home for their first home fixture since the tragic helicopter crash that killed their owner and four others. Their first half jerseys had five rings around their crest to signify the five victims who died in the crash as well as the words “Khun Vichai Forever in our Hearts”.

They changed to jerseys with the poppy sewn on for the second to commemorate the fallen in world wars, the day before the 100th Anniversary of the end of World War I.

“We have to manage the moment step by step,” said current manager Claude Puel.

Among those present to join in the tributes were former Leicester managers Martin O’Neill, Claudio Ranieri, Nigel Pearson and Craig Shakespeare. Esteban Cambiasso, Steve Guppy and Robet Huth were among the former players who attended. The injured Harry Maguire also watched from the stands with Jonny Evans replacing him.

On the field, the impressive Burnley full-back Matthew Lowton cleared a Jamie Vardy effort off the line in the 15th minute before a fine passing move ended with Marc Albrighton setting up recent Algerian recruit Rachid Ghezzal who hit the bar with Joe Hart beaten.

Vardy became the supplier setting up a haring Demarai Gray who was denied by Hart’s excellent positioning.

Foxes’ keeper Kasper Schmeichel wasn’t really called into action until just before half time when he dived to turn round a bending Johann Gudmundsson free kick.  was maybe already going wide.

Burnley started the send half far more adventurously than they had played the first and the first scare of the second half though came at or more accurately near the Leicester goal.

A Ben Mee back header from a Burnley free kick wrongly awarded against Jamaican international Wes Morgan briefly troubled Schmeichel before it rolled past the post. Morgan was also unjustly booked for what seemed like a fair tackle.

The home fans became more vocal after the interval having been quietly introspective and respectful during the first, despite there being very little to get excited about for most of its duration.

Burnley’s Robbie Brady set up former Foxes’ striker Chris Wood in 73 but the New Zealander, got his technique wrong and could not keep the ball down with an effort that would have done the All Blacks proud down the road at Twickenham. Bizarrely at almost exactly the same time, Beauden Barrett was kicking over the posts to give New Zealand a 16-15 lead over England.

Not even the introduction of  Shinji Okazaki and Kelechi Iheanacho for Gray and Albrighton sparked the home side. A left knee injury for Maguire’s cover Evans late on extended the added time as well as give Puel a concern over the position. Turkey’s Caglar Soyuncu replaced Evans for the last few minutes and stoppage time. Okazaki headed wide as time ran out but the solid performances of Mee and Lowton in the Burnley defence deserved a draw.

Leicester had 12 corners, none of which really threatened Hart’s goal. Burnley will probably see it as an emotionally difficult day endured and a point won more than two points lost. Leicester will see it as an important step in a long healing process.

After the game, Khun Vichai’s son, the squad and the ex-managers walked around the pitch to applaud the Leicester fans. He was in tears but gradually, as Andrea Bocelli’s Nessun Dorma was played over the tannoy, smiles began to appear. Finally, the celebration of the man’s life had replaced the sadness of his death. It was a watershed moment and all who love football hopes it helps the club heal.

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