Maddison puts on masterclass

JAMES MADDISON said recently that he wanted people to start talking about him again — and if he continues to play like this, England boss Gareth Southgate will soon be obliging. The Leicester midfielder produced a vintage display, scoring two goals — the second a spectacular curling effort with his weaker left foot — to move Brendan Rodgers’ side third in the table, just a point adrift of joint-leaders Tottenham and Liverpool. Both Maddison’s strikes arrived before half-time, either side of Jamie Vardy’s 12th goal of the season. After Danny Welbeck had wasted a glorious chance to put Brighton in front, Rodgers switched from a back three to a back four and Leicester quickly took control. They seized the lead in the 27th minute. James Justin’s cross was cleared by Ben White only to Maddison, whose strike from 15 yards clipped Lewis Dunk and evaded Mat Ryan’s grasp. With Leicester playing some of their best football of the season, a Vardy goal seemed inevitable and, sure enough, he delivered four minutes before the break. Ayoze Perez collected Mark Albrighton’s lofted ball and freed Justin in another crossing position. Vardy did the rest from close range and even a long VAR check did not save Brighton. Three minutes later, another swift passing sequence involving Wilfred Ndidi, Maddison and Perez sent Vardy running into space. The striker steered the ball into Maddison’s path and, after beating the bewildered Dan Burn, he found the top corner from just inside the area.