V FOR VICIOUS
Vardy off for horror tackle
JAMIE VARDY faces a three-game ban after the Leicester and England striker was sent off for this shocking tackle on Matt Doherty.
Referee Mike Dean (above) did not hesitate to produce the red card following the second-half challenge. Vardy was making his first start of the Premier League season. Foxes manager Claude Puel insisted that the clash was not malicious – but they are unlikely to appeal the decision. The Frenchman said: “I think that it was a little tough. It was not his intention to commit a foul. Too much enthusiasm, and it’s a pity. “It was not aggressive, and he’s been unlucky.”
THREE points, two goals, one red card – the countdown to a mad afternoon for Leicester manager Claude Puel.
On the one hand, a wonderful performance from new scoring midfielder James Maddison and a first win of the season in the bag.
On the other, Jamie Vardy can look forward to an early-season mini-break after his out-of-control challenge on Matt Doherty brought instant dismissal from referee Mike Dean.
It was a day to forget for Doherty, who left the pitch after the tackle having earlier scored the own-goal opener. So mixed emotions for the Foxes after the only Midlands derby left on the Premier League fixture list. Puel was full of sympathy for England forward Vardy afterwards.
He said: “I think it was a little tough. It was not his intention to make a foul. Too much enthusiasm and it’s a pity.
“After the ball he touches the player and it was in the move. It was not aggressive and he has been unlucky.”
Wolves swept all before them last season, collecting plaudits, points and goals seemingly without effort.
The Premier League is a very different playground and this was a wake-up call for the newly promoted side.
Manager Nuno Espirito Santo said: “Disappointed with the result. We started the game very well, we were totally in control, creating chances, playing good, managing the game.
“But in that moment we should score, we had chances enough to do it, so we have to work on that – one thing that we have to improve because it changes the dynamic of the game.
“And in the other box we didn’t have luck – the game is like that. But the second half, playing against 10 men, we should do more. A lot of things to take on but a lot of things in front of us.
“We must be more ruthless and clinical, but at the same time relentless to keep on doing the same things – control the game, manage the possession of the ball, create chances
and now we must score.”
Nuno’s decision to hook Helder Costa and Diogo Jota at half-time could not have been a more visible way of displaying his anger.
Conceding an own goal and a deflected second in a dozy 15-minute first-half spell was plenty of reason for the Wolves manager’s grumpiness, especially given the amount of possession they had enjoyed up to the opener.
Joao Moutinho was a massive early influence, dictating the play with imagination having cracked the crossbar early on. But Leicester, having survived the passing masterclass and with the usual nod of gratitude to Kasper Schmeichel, took the lead.
Marc Albrighton’s cross skimmed Conor Coady before making full contact with Doherty’s head. He looked horrified as the ball bulleted into the net.
The shift in fortunes pumped fresh energy into the home team with the lead doubled through the superb Maddison, whose curler from Ricardo’s pass took a slight deflection off Ryan Bennett. Cue the Wolves double substitution and the attempted fightback. Once again Schmeichel stepped up with a crucial block from a Raul Jimenez shot. Then came Vardy’s moment. He flung himself at Doherty, took the ball but was never in control of the follow-through – and saw red with 25 minutes to go. Wolves tried to up the pressure but Leicester held firm. Puel added: “It was a tough game and our opponents played well. We are happy.”