For Leicester City, never has a win felt so utterly crushing. Victory over West Ham on the final day of the season was insufficient to avoid relegation to the Championship, seven years on from lifting the Premier League title here, six on from reaching the Champions League quarter-finals and two on from winning the FA Cup.
A bereft James Maddison, among those set to depart, crouched on the grass at the final whistle and Leicester’s players huddled around the phone of Victor Kristiansen, who was not in the squad, praying for a late twist in their favour as stoppage time continued at Goodison Park. A couple of fans had radios glued to their ears in hope of a swing that was not forthcoming.
