Foxes take giant step to safety
CRAIG SHAKESPEARE refused to declare LEICESTER safe despite Jamie Vardy’s eighth goal in 12 games clinching victory at WEST BROM.
Temporary boss Shakespeare insisted: “We are not mathematically safe but we’re delighted to have three points and take a giant step toward that aim.
“Vardy is going through that purple patch when everything he does ends with a goal. He is a striker in form but he has got to thank the other players for the service and he will be the first to say that.”
West Brom have gone five matches without scoring, losing four in a row, but manager Tony Pulis insisted the players have not switched off since hitting the magic 40 mark.
He said: “I’m disappointed with the result but I can’t fault the players’ efforts and I don’t think we have strolled around.”
STOKE boss Mark Hughes believes keeper Jack Butland is already showing England form – just two games into his return from a 14-month injury nightmare.
Butland, who damaged his ankle playing against Germany in March last year, produced two excellent saves in front of watching Three Lions boss Gareth Southgate as the Potters drew 0-0 with WEST HAM at the bet365 Stadium.
And Hughes said: “You need a top-class keeper to make match-defining saves – and that is what Jack did.
“It has taken 12 months to get him back and we are delighted he is showing the form he did prior to the injury. Jack enjoys the England set-up and he has the ambition to be No.1 for his country.”
Sean Dyche confirmed that BURNLEY’S James Tarkowski was hit on the head with a lighter thrown from the crowd at Selhurst Park – but joked that the defender’s big head protected him from any lasting damage.
Tarkowski was superb as the Clarets ground down CRYSTAL PALACE for their first away win of the season, but suffered the wrath of one home fan when celebrating Ashley Barnes’ opening goal.
“It was Tarky’s first start in the Premier League and he gets hit by a lighter,” chuckled Dyche. “It wouldn’t have hurt him, he’s got a massive head!”