Leicester 5 QPR 1 reaction: Esteban Cambiasso the toast of the town as Foxes celebrate

Leicester City 5 Queens Park Rangers 1

(Getty Images)

This was a match defined by stark contrasts. Nigel Pearson sat across from Chris Ramsey. A half-full away end crammed between 30,000 jubilant home supporters. Esteban Cambiasso, the toast of the town, alongside pantomime villain Joey Barton in the centre of the park.

Both clubs, Leicester City and Queens Park Rangers, shared the same champagne bottle last summer as they clambered themselves out of the Championship.

Foxes chairman Vichai Srivaddhanaprabha was too busy giving free home shirts out to supporters below the executive box to spot his Rangers counterpart sat alongside Les Ferdinand with his head in his hands.

Before the match, the Thai billionaire was also responsible for free beers being given to every home supporter in the ground. Messrs Ashley and Allam should take note.

Jamie Vardy celebrates his England call up with a goal (Getty)

This was the perfect afternoon for Pearson and his Leicester side. Jamie Vardy celebrated his England call-up on Thursday with his fifth goal of the season. Marc Albrighton justified his manager's faith by walloping the hosts into a 2-0 lead before half-time.

Record £8m signing Leonardo Ulloa then applied a touch of gloss before Cambiasso, deserving of the keys to the city, scored a sumptuous goal to send the home fans delirious. Never before has a player walked onto Filbert Way and been subject to such unadulterated affection.

His standing ovation, when replaced by Danny Drinkwater in the 76th minute, could transpire to be a fond farewell unless he is persuaded to sign a new contract. If it wasn't for the fact it would hardly be a drop in the ocean of a modern day footballer's weekly wages, the Leicester fans would have a whip-round to ensure he stays on.

Leicester fans before the match against QPR (Getty)

Not even Charlie Austin's strike, to narrow their advantage, could dampen the mood. He and Vardy will be seeing each other again very soon when the England squad convene next month.

Andrej Kramaric, who Pearson signed for £6m in January, was destined to score when he replaced Vardy in the second half. It was that sort of day for the Foxes. The Croatian has had a tough introduction to life in England, but you imagine next season could run more smoothly for the 23-year-old.

This match was always going to escalate into a full-blown party for the hosts. Considering they had been rock-bottom with just 19 points at the turn of April, the fact they finish the campaign with 41 is nothing short of remarkable.

Leicester fans were given a free bottle of beer by the Thai owners (Getty)

Club legend Alan Birchenall mirrored the mood perfectly before kick-off, wearing a ostrich costume as he completed his annual charity run around the King Power Stadium pitch.

The hosts, wearing their new 2015/16 home strip, showed all the vibrancy and attacking endeavour which made their great escape possible. Rangers, on the other hand, did well to quell the party early on but buckled under the pressure when it mattered.

'We want six,' the Leicester fans roared as the clock ticked down. Alas, it never came but their biggest victory of the season gives Pearson a marvelous springboard to build upon next year.