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Football

29th Oct 2018

Riyad Mahrez points skywards after scoring Man City’s opener in tribute to Leicester owner

Simon Lloyd

Manchester City took the lead with little over five minutes played against Tottenham on Monday evening

After good work from Raheem Sterling on the left wing, Riyad Mahrez was able to side-foot home at the near post to give the Premier League champions an early advantage at Wembley.

Mahrez marked his goal with a point to the heavens, a gesture many interpreted as a tribute to those who lost their lives in the helicopter crash at Leicester City’s King Power Stadium on Saturday evening – including the club’s owner, Vichai Srivaddhanaprabha.

The Algerian international was a key player in Leicester’s miraculous Premier League title win in 2016,  joining the club from French side Le Havre two years before.

Mahrez had posted his own tribute to Srivaddhanaprabha on his Instagram page, following the confirmation of his death, which came via an official statement on Sunday evening.

‘One of the best person I’ve ever met,’ his post read. ‘I will never forget you. Rest in peace Vichai.’

His message was accompanied by two pictures of him with his former chairman.

https://www.instagram.com/p/BpfnYAXj9iu/?utm_source=ig_embed

Earlier in the day, many of Mahrez’s former Leicester teammates were present at the King Power to pay their condolences and watch members of Srivaddhanaprabha’s family lay wreaths.

He also spoke to Sky after the match.

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