Jimenez joy as VAR delivers for Wolves
Penalty save from deadly Vardy is the turning point
BIG moments win games and they may not come any bigger than Nick Pope’s penalty save.
Burnley were staring down the barrel of a fifth straight Premier League loss when the deadly JamieVardy stepped up to take a 68th-minute spot-kick.
But Pope dived to his left to expertly keep out Vardy’s effort and turn the game on its head.
Foxes boss Brendan Rodgers said: “There is no blame attached to Jamie – he has been absolutely brilliant for us. We wouldn’t be in the position we are without him.
“He’s normally clinical in that situation and if we get another penalty he’ll be the one who takes it.”
But Burnley capitalised on their lifeline big time: Ashley Westwood chose the perfect moment to score his first Clarets goal at Turf Moor for the winner. The Clarets now have breathing space as they moved to 14th. They also ended their hoodoo against top-half sides this term.
For Leicester, their poor run continued – this made it four defeats in their last six league games. There was also mystery surrounding absent pair Ben Chilwell and Hamza Choudhury.
Rodgers said they were unavailable because they missed training in the week.
Little happened in the first half an hour until Leicester punished Burnley with a swift counter to take the through Harvey Barnes.
Dennis Praet robbed Jack Cork with a tackle the Burnley midfielder felt was a foul and the ball fell to Barnes, who went round Ben Mee as if he was not there, before shooting home.
Leicester almost scored again but Pope saved one-handed from Praet’s drive. That was critical for Burnley and they showed more of their customary fight in the second half.
ChrisWood headed over from Charlie Taylor’s cross before the Kiwi levelled with a poacher’s effort. Keeper Kasper Schmeichel
could lead
LEICESTER
RAUL JIMENEZ says Wolves were well overdue someVAR love.
Nuno Espirito Santo’s team had suffered more than anyone from the system this season until this thrilling comeback win.
In their 39th game of the season, the super-fit visitors saw two goals upheld and a penalty overrule award from Stockley Park.
And no one was happier than teenager Pedro Neto, who suffered an agonising wait to see his goal confirmed after efforts ruled out against Liverpool and Manchester United in the FA Cup.
Wolves forward Jimenez, who took his goal tally for the campaign to 19 with two here, said: “I think it’s the first time this season theVAR goes with us and Neto scored after two denied goals. I am very happy for all the team and proud of them.”
If Wolves could start games as well as they finish them, they would be Champions League certainties.They have now gained a Premier League-high 18 points from losing positions after conceding first in their last seven matches – and 16 times from the 23 played.
They were 2-0 down at half-time after Jan Bednarek’s first goal for 20 months and only a second for the Saints, and Shane Long’s first league strike of the season. But Neto started the comeback with a neat swivel and shot, and Jimenez converted a penalty, after Jonny was taken out by Jack Stephens and Cedric Soares, before his winner.