Leicester City 0-2 Blackburn Rovers: Sammie Szmodics Scores Twice as John Eustace's Side Retain Their Place in the Championship

Sammie Szmodics’ second-half brace ensured Blackburn’s survival in the Championship after a 2-0 win at newly crowned champions Leicester.

Szmodics, the division’s top scorer, scored just as Rovers’ chances of survival as relegation rivals were at stake and Blackburn manager John Eustace’s former club, Birmingham, had just taken the lead against Norwich.

This scenario meant Rovers would slip into League One if Leicester won the game.

But after 68 minutes the ball broke kindly on the halfway line for Szmodics, who raced away as Leicester’s defenders were caught off guard.

Szmodics’ solo run took him into Leicester’s 18-yard penalty area, where he coolly slotted the ball over goalkeeper Mads Hermansen and into the far corner.

This sparked huge celebrations from the Rovers fans who had traveled with them, but Leicester did their best to get back into the game.

But then Szmodics secured victory in stoppage time when he ran on from a pass from Joe Rankin-Costello and outran Hermansen to the ball before running into the empty net and scoring his 27th league goal of the season.

Blackburn goalkeeper Aynsley Pears made an excellent save with ten minutes left when he turned Harry Winks’ shot onto the crossbar.

Rovers’ performance meant Leicester’s trophy party didn’t end in victory.

But it was a chance for fans to say goodbye to one of the two remaining 2016 Premier League title winners, Marc Albrighton, who came on as a second-half substitute. His contract expires this summer and is unlikely to be renewed.

Jamie Vardy is also out of contract but could still get a new contract at the age of 37.

Leicester fans unveiled a banner before the game as a tribute to Vardy’s contribution since joining the club, and when he was substituted in the second half he received a standing ovation.

Blackburn had a chance to score after 14 minutes when Szmodics turned and shot narrowly wide.

Vardy almost broke the deadlock after 26 minutes when he cut inside from the left but could only hit the side netting.

When Albrighton came on, Vardy gave him the captain’s armband to wear for his final game at Leicester.

Leicester secured promotion without a game last Friday when Leeds lost at QPR, and on Monday they secured the title with a 3-0 win at Preston.

The Foxes lacked impact in their final game of the season, despite a late rally that saw Stephy Mavididi fire a shot over the bar before Winks was denied by Pears.