Tottenham draw 2-2 with Everton to finish fourth


LEICESTER: Chelsea's Italian defender Davide Zappacosta (top) wins a header from Leicester City's English midfielder James Maddison during the English Premier League football match between Leicester City and Chelsea at King Power Stadium in Leicester, central England yesterday. – AFP

LEICESTER: Gonzalo Higuain missed two first-halfchances as Chelsea were held to a 0-0 draw by Leicester City atKing Power Stadium yesterday, but the point was enough to securethird place in the Premier League for Maurizio Sarri's side.

Chelsea, who play Arsenal in the Europa League final laterthis month, finished the campaign with 72 points, one pointclear of Tottenham Hotspur in fourth. Chelsea midfielder Eden Hazard, who has been the subject ofmuch speculation that he could move away from Stamford Bridge,was dropped to the bench, while there was no place in thematch-day squad for N'Golo Kante as he succumbed to a hamstringinjury.

The two best chances of the opening half fell to Higuain,who put his first effort wide of the right post and then missedon the left when well-placed on both occasions. Hazard was introduced with 20 minutes remaining and had anappeal for a penalty after tumbling in the box, but refereeAnthony Taylor waved play on as neither side were able to find awinner.

Meanwhile, Tottenham Hotspur toasted their extraordinary feat of reaching the Champions League final for the first time by booking their place in next season's competition, clinching fourth spot in the Premier League with a 2-2 draw at home to Everton yesterday.

Spurs were practically guaranteed a top-four spot as they led north London rivals Arsenal by three points and an eight-goal superior goal difference heading into the final game but the draw meant they missed out on finishing in the top-three, with Chelsea taking third place instead.

Eric Dier smashed home from close range in the third minute to put Spurs ahead in the third minute in a celebratory atmosphere following their against-the-odds win over Ajax Amsterdam, but former Arsenal forward Theo Walcott equalised in the 69th minute with a classy curling finish into the bottom corner.

Everton's traveling fans had been more preoccupied with events in the title race, hoping bitter rivals Liverpool would not win the league, and a cheer rang out from their end each time news filtered through of Manchester City goal against Brighton.

Everton went ahead three minutes later when Turkish forward Cenk Tosun bundled the ball over the line after a goalmouth scramble. Their lead did not last long, though, as Spurs' Danish midfielder Christian Eriksen netted with a curling free kick in the 75th, ensuring his side ended the campaign on 71 points. - Reuters