Record-equaling Vardy keeps Leicester flying high
Newcastle 0
Leicester 3
Jamie Vardy scored for the 10th successive game to equal Ruud van Nistelrooy’s Premier League record and keep Leicester flying high in the English top tier with a 3-0 win at Newcastle yesterday. Vardy struck in first-half stoppage time to move level with former Manchester United striker Van Nistelrooy’s streak of scoring in consecutive fixtures. Fittingly, the Leicester forward could eclipse Van Nistelrooy’s record against the Dutchman’s old club when United visit the King Power Stadium next weekend.
If he manages that, Vardy can set his sights on the all-time English top-flight record for goals in an unbroken run of 12 club matches set by Jimmy Dunne of Sheffield United in the old First Division during the 1931/32 season. While Vardy stole the headlines, the England international wasn’t Leicester’s only hero in their eighth win in 13 league matches. Leonardo Ulloa laid on Vardy’s record-equaling effort before heading home himself and Japan forward Shinji Okazaki came off the bench to wrap up the points.
Vardy’s remarkable rise from playing non-league football just a few years ago has run hand in hand with Leicester’s ascent and their dominant display at St James’ Park left them top of the Premier League, although Manchester City could regain first place. Vardy threatened for the first time when Riyad Mahrez skipped beyond Vurnon Anita and found his teammate six yards out. Goalkeeper Rob Elliot’s left foot denied Vardy on that occasion, but the moment everyone was waiting for soon arrived. France international Moussa Sissoko lost the ball inside Leicester’s half and it found its way to Vardy. He rolled a pass into Ulloa and drifted off the flank as he stayed onside and collected the return ball, knocked it past Sissoko and rifled inside Elliot’s near post for an historic goal. It was his 13th of the campaign and a strike which earned him a warm round of applause from even Newcastle’s fans as he walked off at the break. Leicester’s second goal came in the 62nd minute when Mahrez was given time to cross to the far post, where an unmarked Ulloa headed home. Vardy came off with 13 minutes to go, but there was still time for Leicester to score once more. Danny Simpson’s effort from Marc Albrighton’s pass was saved by Rob Elliot and Okazaki slammed home from close-range.—AFP