Jamie Vardy scored a brace and missed a penalty as new Premier League champion Leicester City comfortably defeated Everton 3-1 Saturday ahead of its trophy presentation ceremony. Vardy, banned for Leicester's two previous games, struck in each half at a jubilant King Power Stadium, with Andy King also on target, and would have had a hat trick had he not blazed a second-half penalty over the bar. But personal milestones were of secondary importance on a day when players, staff and supporters of the modest east Midlands club, which narrowly escaped relegation last season, united in joyous celebration of its long-shot title triumph. Fans were treated to a pre-match performance by renowned Italian tenor Andrea Bocelli, who prompted roars of approval from the flag-waving home support by removing his jacket to reveal a blue Leicester shirt as he sang. Steve Worthy, a lifelong Leicester fan, presented the trophy to captain Wes Morgan following the game after winning a competition arranged by league sponsor Barclays. The 25kg trophy has been decorated with ribbons of blue, for Leicester, and yellow, representing the royal house of Thailand, home country of club owner Vichai Srivaddhanaprabha. Leicester plays its final game of the season next Sunday at outgoing champion Chelsea, the former club of inspirational manager Claudio Ranieri, before an open-top bus parade in Leicester on May 16. Second-place Tottenham Hotspur's 2-2 draw at Chelsea last Monday, which gave Leicester the title, sparked a week of celebrations in the city and fans arrived at the stadium several hours before kick-off Saturday. Supporters formed a snake-like queue for blue team jerseys stamped with a gold and white "Premier League Champions 2015-16" sleeve badge, while souvenir scarves, flags and programs were eagerly snapped up from stalls around the ground. Vardy now has 24 goals for the campaign, one behind Tottenham's Harry Kane in the race for the Golden Boot, while Leicester leads Spurs by 10 points ahead of the London club's meeting with Southampton Sunday. Earlier, Sunderland beat Chelsea 3-2 to climb out of the relegation zone with two games remaining as the deposed champion saw captain John Terry sent off. Newcastle, which was held to 0-0 by already-relegated Aston Villa, was a point behind and has played a game more than north-east rival Sunderland. Norwich was below Newcastle in the drop zone after losing to Manchester United 1-0. Juan Mata's goal for United took Louis van Gaal's side within one point of Manchester City in the fourth and final Champions League place. United next heads Tuesday to West Ham, which was beaten by Swansea 4-1 in the penultimate game at Upton Park before the east London club moves into the Olympic Stadium. Bournemouth, which has already secured a second season in the Premier League, drew with West Bromwich Albion 1-1, and FA Cup finalists Crystal Palace beat Stoke 2-1. — Agencies Standings Leicester 37 23 11 3 67 35 80 Tottenham 36 19 13 4 67 28 70 Arsenal 36 19 10 7 59 34 67 Man City 36 19 7 10 68 38 64 Man Utd 36 18 9 9 44 31 63 West Ham 36 15 14 7 61 47 59 Southampton 36 16 9 11 53 39 57 Liverpool 35 15 10 10 59 48 55 Chelsea 36 12 12 12 57 51 48 Stoke 37 13 9 15 39 54 48 Swansea 37 12 10 15 41 51 46 Everton 36 10 14 12 56 52 44 Watford 35 12 8 15 36 42 44 Palace 37 11 9 17 38 47 42 West Brom 37 10 12 15 33 47 42 Bournemouth 37 11 9 17 44 64 42 Sunderland 36 8 11 17 43 60 35 Newcastle 37 8 10 19 39 64 34 Norwich 36 8 7 21 35 62 31 Aston Villa 37 3 8 26 27 72 17 Note: Top four teams qualify for Champions League; teams finishing 5th-6th qualify for Europa League; bottom three teams relegated to Championship.
