Vardy’s goal proves winner for Leicester

Jamie Vardy scored the Premier League’s first goal of 2019 to earn Leicester a 1-0 win at Everton in a low-quality match to begin the new year yesterday.

In a goal that summed up the home side’s sloppy display, Everton winger Theo Walcott misdirected a header from a clearance and team-mate Michael Keane then miscontrolled the ball to allow Ricardo Pereira to play in Vardy.

The former England striker slotted a low finish past goalkeeper Jordan Pickford and celebrated his 58th-minute goal with a somersault.

This was Leicester’s third win in four games over the festive period – other victories over Chelsea and Manchester City were mixed in with a surprise home loss to Cardiff – and the team is now firmly in the top half of the standings.

Harry Kane’s third-minute goal set Tottenham on its way to a 3-0 win at Cardiff, ensuring the prolific England striker has scored against all 28 teams he has faced in the Premier League.

Christian Eriksen and Son Heung-min also netted first-half goals as Tottenham moved back into second place, a point above Manchester City and six behind Liverpool.

City and Liverpool play each other tomorrow.

Kane had failed to breach Cardiff’s defence in his three previous matches against the Welsh club and only did so this time because of a touch of fortune.

Cardiff defender Sean Morrison tried to clear the ball out of his area but it struck the midriff of Kane and ended up dribbling over the goal line.

It was Kane’s 14th league goal, moving him alongside Arsenal striker Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang atop the scoring list and one above current Golden Boot holder Mohamed Salah, the Liverpool forward.

Arsenal bounced back from their mauling by Liverpool by easing past Fulham 4-1 in the Premier League to move to within two points of the Champions League qualification positions.

Aubameyang wrapped up a routine victory in the 84th minute with his 14th goal of the campaign, leaving him the league’s top scorer.