Leicester jeopardizes Champions League hopes with collapse

 In top four since September, Leicester's Champions League hopes are longer so certain.

A 4-1 capitulation at relegation-threatened Bournemouth on Sunday summed up Leicester's form since Premier League returned from its three-month coronavirus-enforced shutdown.

“I would say a big apology to supporters because that was unacceptable for a Leicester team," Leicester manr Brendan Rodgers said. “You cant do that and I have never been anywhere near that since I’ve been here, it was a huge disappointment. We lacked spirit and attitude."

Leicester has won only once in six league games since restart, collecting six points and slipping from third to fourth.

It could be down to fifth on Monday night if Manchester United beats Southampton. Fifth could, however, clinch England's fourth and final Champions League place if second-place Manchester City's Champions League ban for next season is confirmed by Court of Arbitration for Sport on Monday.

Wolverhampton is also still in sight of fifth place, moving to three points behind United after beating Everton 3-0 on Sunday.

Arsenal and Tottenham, though, are realistically in a scrap for a Europa League place. Tottenham has edge after beating Arsenal 2-1 in rth London derby to leapfrog its rival into eighth place. But Sheffield United, in its first season back in league, is ahead of m in seventh place.

LEICESTER SLUMP

Despite winning league at 5,000-1 odds in 2016, Leicester is a much-changed side and overachieving in Rodgers' first full season in charge. But throwing away third-place cushion would make t qualifying for Champions League hard to accept.

Jamie Vardy did put Leicester in front in first half at Bournemouth, which turned game around during a two-minute spell after break.

Junior Stanislas equalized from penalty spot in 66th minute after Callum Wilson was dragged down by Wilfred Ndidi and Dominic Solanke put hosts in front quickly after restart.

Leicester defender Caglar Soyuncu was shown a straight red card in aftermath for kicking out at Wilson as he attempted to retrieve ball.

“We gave m a lifeline into game with penalty," Rodgers said, “and n all of a sudden, very quickly you are 2-1 behind, but I was more disappointed with reaction.”

Bournemouth stretched its lead in 83rd when Stanislas’ strike across goal took a huge deflection off Jonny Evans to wrong-foot goalkeeper Kasper Schmeichel.

Having t scored before Sunday in league since joining Bournemouth from Liverpool in January 2019, Solanke poked a shot between legs of Schmeichel for his second of night in 87th, after capitalizing on a loose pass. win leaves Bournemouth three points from safety.

“I didn’t see that coming, to be honest,” Rodgers said. “Second half we lacked personality and that’s biggest disappointment.”

TOTTENHAM COMEBACK

It was first Premier League rth London derby at Tottenham’s new stadium but with fans allowed inside due to coronavirus restriction.

Alexandre Lacazette bent Arsenal’s opener into top corner in 16th minute. But Sead Kolašinac’s misplaced pass allowed Tottenham to level inside three minutes, with Son Heung-min taking ball out to a tight angle but still managing to chip goalkeeper Emilia Martínez.

Son, who was dropped from starting lineup for 0-0 draw at Bournemouth on Thursday, provided corner that Toby Alderweireld sent past Martínez in 81st with a glancing header.

VILLA LIFELINE

Trezeguet scored twice as Aston Villa helped its slim survival hopes with a 2-0 victory against Crystal Palace. Egypt international scored in each half to hand third-from-last Villa its first win in 11 league games and move team to within four points of safety with three games left.

Palace’s run of five straight Premier League defeats is w manr Roy Hodgson’s equal worst sequence in competition. But south London club is safe at 12 points clear of relegation zone.

Palace will be without Christian Benteke for final three games of season. former Villa striker was sent off after final whistle for violent conduct after kicking out at Villa defender Ezri Konsa.

WOLVES WIN

After a slow start at Molineux, Wolves went in front in first-half stopp time through Raul Jimenez's penalty and Leander Dendoncker netted 46 seconds after break. Diogo Jota grabbed third when he struck low past goalkeeper Jordan Pickford.