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LONDON. — Everton manager Roberto Martinez said yesterday that Leicester City winning the English Premier League soccer title this season was an “inspiration” to other clubs but warned against another “underdog” champion any time soon.

Martinez’s men will be the opponents at Leicester’s King Power Stadium tomorrow when the Foxes are presented with the English Premier League trophy after second-placed Tottenham Hotspur’s draw with Chelsea on Monday meant the leaders could no longer be caught.

Leicester’s success after being 5 000/1 rank outsiders in pre-season, has been one of the most remarkable sports stories of them all.

But it has also thrown a sharp spotlight on the performances of other clubs in the top flight, with many Everton fans aggrieved that their own club has not been challenging for the title in a season where defending champions Chelsea, Manchester City, Arsenal and Manchester United have all fallen behind Leicester.

Everton are currently 11th in the 20-strong division, with many fans calling for Martinez to go, but the Toffees boss said replicating Leicester’s feat would be no easy task.

“What Leicester have achieved is a great inspiration for any team sport and for any group in order to dream high and have huge expectations but I think we need to be realistic that this is not the norm,” he said. — AFP.