On a day fraught with emotion, Leicester City beat Cardiff City 1-0 in their first Premier League game since the death of the club’s owner Vichai Srivaddhanaprabha and four others in a helicopter crash last weekend.
The tragedy ensured that Saturday’s result at the Cardiff City Stadium was always going to be secondary to the occasion, but Leicester’s players showed total professionalism in testing circumstances as they returned to action.
Demarai Gray produced a sharp finish to score the winner midway through the second half, a goal that sparked wild celebrations in front of the 3,000 travelling fans. But the mood was slightly soured when Gray was booked for taking his shirt off in celebration by referee Lee Probert.
The visitors had warmed up for the game in special T-shirts bearing tributes to the Thai billionaire. A wreath was laid on the pitch before the game and some players were due to fly out to Thailand for the funeral afterwards.
They take with them the satisfaction of a job well done, although there will be concern over centre-half Harry Maguire, who hobbled off with a first-half leg injury. The defeat dropped Cardiff into the relegation zone, with Leicester in midtable.
“I feel proud, it’s been a really tough week for everyone,” said Leicester keeper Kasper Schmeichel. “The way everyone at the club handles themselves is a testament to the family Vichai built.”
Source:ESPN
