Vardy’s winner offers Leicester hope

BEYOND 90 minutes, Leicester City’s Jamie Vardy scored a goal that gave an exhilarating indication that improbable story of survival could yet be told.

Leicester secured their second consecutive Premier League win to bring safety into view for the first time in a long time. Nigel Pearson’s side are still bottom, but now just three points behind Hull in 17th. With seven games to go, five at home, they are still very much in this fight.

In the first minute of added time, Vardy bullied Gareth McAuley to gain possession by the halfway line and advanced on goal. Joleon Lescott was unable to halt him and in a flash the ball was in the net.

Trailing 2-1, Leicester had equalised in the 80th minute when Robert Huth nodded home.

It had all begun so brightly for the hosts when Darren Fletcher’s glancing header put them in front. Leicester equalised in the 20th minute through Nugent but West Brom went ahead again six minutes later when Craig Gardner’s volley deflected off Wes Morgan into the net. But Leicester struck back impressively and, from nowhere, have genuine hope of survival. WEST BROM (4-4-2): Myhill 5.5; Dawson 5, McAuley 5, Lescott 5.5, Brunt 6; Gardner 6.5 (Olsson 73, 5), Yacob 6, Fletcher 7, Morrison 6.5 (Sessegnon 85); Ideye 5 (Anichebe 60, 5), Berahino 5. Subs (not used): Rose, Wisdom, Baird, McManaman. Booked: Gardner, Fletcher. LEICESTER (4-3-1-2): Schmeichel 6; De Laet 4 (Wasilewski 46, 6), Huth 6.5, Morgan 6, Schlupp 6.5; Albrighton 6.5, James 6 (King 60, 6), Cambiasso 7; Nugent 7; Vardy 7.5, Ulloa 6.5 (Mahrez 64, 6). Subs (not used): Schwarzer, Konchesky, Drinkwater, Kramaric. Booked: Albrighton. REfEREE: Martin Atkinson 6.