Ton up for top Fox
VARDY SCORES 100TH GOAL
JAMIE Vardy registered his 100th Premier League goal as Leicester got their challenge for Champions League football back on track with a 3-0 success over Crystal Palace.
Vardy, stuck on 99 goals since the final match before the lockdown, netted the Foxes’ second and third at the King Power Stadium after Kelechi Iheanacho had opened the scoring.
The 33-year-old former Stocksbridge Park Steels striker, who became the first £1million signing from a non-league club when he joined the Foxes from Fleetwood in the summer of 2012, finally reached the milestone in his 205th game.
After Iheanacho converted Youri Tielemans’ cross, Vardy was twice assisted by substitute Harvey Barnes, tapping home his landmark goal before racing away to add a second late on.
More importantly for Brendan Rodgers’ side, the much-needed first win since play resumed keeps them third in the table after pressure had been building with resurgent Manchester United and Chelsea having significantly narrowed the gap in recent weeks.
Ole Gunnar’s Solskjaer’s United side remain in hot pursuit after Mason Greenwood’s double helped them come from a goal down to hammer relegation-threatened Bournemouth 5-2. Greenwood’s first, a penalty from Marcus Rashford and a fine solo effort from Anthony Martial put the hosts in control following Junior Stanislas’ shock opener.
Cherries forward Joshua King scored against his former club for the second time this season by converting from the spot to halve the deficit, but Greenwood’s second and a Bruno Fernandes free-kick helped United romp to victory.
The 20-time English champions remain three points behind Leicester in fourth spot, while games are running out for 19th-placed Bournemouth, who stay a point from safety.
At Molineux, Bukayo Saka celebrated his new Arsenal deal by inspiring a crucial 2-0 win over Wolves.
The 18-year-old, who penned a new long-term contract at the Emirates Stadium this week, struck his first Premier League goal to give the Gunners’ European hopes a huge boost.
Alexandre Lacazette claimed a late second as Mikel Arteta’s impressive visitors closed the gap on their sixth-placed hosts to just three points.
Rock-bottom Norwich slipped closer to an immediate return to the Sky Bet Championship following a damaging 1-0 home defeat to Brighton.
Leandro Trossard’s fourth goal of the campaign inflicted a fifth successive top-flight loss on the Canaries.
Chelsea retained fourth place after a 3-0 home win over struggling Watford.
GATESHEAD will ramp up their preparations for the National League North play-offs this week as their players and staff return to training.
The Heed players and staff have undergone two rounds of Covid-19 testing over the last fortnight and will receive a further test over the next two days in line with government and league guidelines.
The club revealed their initial tests had returned with no positive results, paving the way for training to resume at the Green Energy Sports Ground, home of Northern League Division One club Hebburn Town.
The National League confirmed Gateshead will travel to Brackley Town on Sunday, July 19 in the Eliminator Round of the playoffs.
Should Mike Williamson’s side be successful in finding their way past the former FA Trophy winners, they will hit the road again to face Boston United in the semi-final on Saturday, July 25.
The league also revealed the final will take place on Saturday, August 1 and all play-off fixtures will take place behind closed doors.
Former Newcastle United defender Williamson received a major boost ahead of the return to training after loan stars Brad James,
Jake Cooper and Liam Agnew all agreed to return to the club to take part in the bid to make an immediate return to non-league’s top tier.
Middlesbrough goalkeeper James has followed the example set by another Boro stopper Aynsley Pears by making a big impression during a season-long loan spell at the International Stadium.
James, who turns 21 today, has kept 17 clean sheets during his 34 appearances throughout the season and his return will be a welcome boost for Williamson.
Harrogate Town midfielder Agnew also arrived on a season-long loan last summer and he scored two goals in 34 appearances during the regular season. Centre-back Jake Cooper joined the Heed on loan from Rotherham United in December and impressed alongside Williamson as his side hit form before the coronavirus epidemic curtailed the season.
Cooper’s form on Tyneside has earned him a new two-year deal with the Millers – but his immediate focus will be on helping Gateshead in their play-off bid.
All three loan extensions are still subject to approval by the Football Association, although no issues are expected to arise over the coming days.
Another player that starred during a temporary stint will also return after young winger Dom Tear joined the Heed on non-contract terms after he was released by Huddersfield Town.
Meanwhile, there was a key off-field appointment made at Gateshead this week as long-term supporter Bernard Mcwilliams was named as the club’s new vice-chairman.
Mcwilliams replaces local businessman Trevor Clark, who stepped down from the role after one season in May.
After his appointment was confirmed, Mcwilliams told the Heed website: “I am honoured that the board have the confidence in me to take over the role of vice-chairman.
“I would first of all like to thank Trevor for all the hard work and dedication he has shown over the last season.
“Rest assured, I will do all that I can to support Neil and the board of directors whilst representing the great fanbase we have.
“I also look forward to working closely with the trustees of Gateshead FC Foundation to help build the connection of our club to the wider Gateshead community.”