Vardy: I love it at the SCORETHORNS WEST BROM
At least they won’t face Foxes hitman every week
0 LEICESTER JAMES NURSEY
JAMIE VARDY returned to terrorise West Brom again and get Leicester’s season off to a flyer.
Last term’s Golden Boot winner with 23 goals already has two this term despite having only 15 touches at promoted West
SLAVEN BILIC was admirably loyal to his West Brom promotion winners here – but he might feel like being more ruthless after this.
Bilic’s entire starting line-up were all his regulars from last season, which finished second to go up.
But despite a bright start by the hosts, Leicester soon took control and ran out comfortable winners to dish out a harsh lesson on life back in the top flight.
And maybe Bilic would be advised to copy opposite number Brendan Rodgers, who has been outspoken in his desire to bring in more quality players.
Rodgers has made only one signing so far, but new £25million full-back Timothy Castagne made an impressive debut as he headed in a second-half opener.
Jamie Vardy, who won last term’s Golden Boot, later buried two late penalties to secure the points and get his latest campaign off to a flyer. It was the fifth successive game at the Hawthorns that Leicester have won and Vardy has notched in all of them.
It meant he equalled Ruud van Nistelrooy’s record of scoring in five games for Manchester United at Newcastle.
But a comfortable Leicester win did not seem likely when West Brom made a bold start.
The hosts dominated possession and made major inroads to stretch City – who had Wilfred Ndidi out of position in defence.
But West Brom failed to test goalkeeper Kasper Schmeichel and were later made to pay.
The visitors served notice on their threats before the break as the lively Harvey Barnes twice shot straight at keeper Sam Johnstone.
Vardy also nearly scored with a smart turn and right-foot shot straight at Johnstone before he spotted the offside flag.
After the break Leicester remained the more dangerous side, fashioning a deserved opener in the 56th minute when James Justin released Dennis Praet down the left. His cross to the back post was met by Belgian compatriot Castagne to head in.
Albion later changed to a back four
to chase the game and try to get dangerman Matheus Pereira involved more.
But it was Leicester who scored again in the 74th minute when Vardy fired in a low right-foot penalty after Kyle Bartley had brought down the striker when Barnes broke clear.
Var dy quickly notched his brace with another penalty six minutes from time.
This time it was rookie defender Dara O’Shea who conceded with a late challenge on Justin.
Vardy went with his right foot to the same side and was deadly once more as Johnstone went the wrong way again.
It ensured Leicester made a superb start to the new season to banish memories of last season’s collapse when they won just two of their last nine league games, missing out on a Champions League spot that had looked assured.
But West Brom will have plenty more tough afternoons ahead of them back in the top flight on this evidence.
And they will need to improve on this display quickly if they are to get a vital foothold back in the big time.