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Claudio Ranieri

Leicester City have shattered the glass ceiling in English football and given fresh hope to all those clubs that usually make up the numbers in the Premier League, Crystal Palace manager Alan Pardew said yesterday.

Claudio Ranieri’s side this week became the first team to win a maiden English title since Nottingham Forest 38 years ago, leaving the likes of Chelsea, Manchester United, Manchester City and Arsenal trailing in their wake.

Pardew, whose Palace side could strike another blow for the underdogs in the FA Cup final against Manchester United this month, said Leicester had shown what was possible.

“It’s proof the underdog can do it. And it will give us a boost for the cup final,” Pardew told reporters before his side’s Premier League clash with Stoke City.

“Leicester have shattered the glass ceiling, and I thought it was impossible to break. They’ve gone and done it. Amazing.”

Pardew said Leicester’s credentials could no longer be questioned, especially since their form goes back way beyond the start of the current campaign. They won seven of their last nine games in the 2014-15 season to pull clear of relegation.

“For near 50 games they’ve been best in the country,” Pardew said. “Football isn’t all logic. It’s almost like some stardust has fallen on LCFC — great for them. Let’s hope it falls on us for the final.”

Meanwhile, Marouane Fellaini and Robert Huth have each been given three-match suspensions for violent conduct, England’s governing Football Association announced yesterday.

The pair were charged following their off-the-ball clash in Manchester United’s 1-1 draw with Premier League champions Leicester on Sunday.

Television cameras showed Leicester central defender Huth pulling Fellaini’s hair, with the United midfielder responding by swinging an elbow into the German’s neck.

The incident was not seen by the match officials on duty at Old Trafford but a panel of former referees agreed both offences were worthy of red cards. Huth will miss Leicester’s game at home to Everton tomorrow, when they will be presented with the Premier League trophy, and their final match of the season against Chelsea as well as next term’s league opener.

Fellaini will miss United’s final three league games, but the Belgian will be available for the FA Cup final against Crystal Palace.

English Premier League fixtures

Tomorrow: Norwich City v Manchester United (13:45), West Ham United v Swansea City (16:00),
Sunderland v Chelsea (16:00), Crystal Palace v Stoke City (16:00), Bournemouth v West Bromwich Albion (16:00), Aston Villa v Newcastle United (16:00), Leicester City v Everton (18:30).

Sunday: Tottenham Hotspur v Southampton (14:30), Manchester City v Arsenal (17:00), Liverpool v Watford (17:00) — AFP.