Killer Fox
Rodgers hails Vardy as Leicester go second in the standings
LEICESTER: Manager Brendan Rodgers was quick to praise Jamie Vardy when the England international bagged one goal and set up another as Leicester confirmed their status as a surprise Premier League title contender with a 2-0 win over Arsenal.
Vardy, with 10 goals so far from this campaign, scored from a pass by Youri Tielemans in the 68th minute, then laid on the second for James Maddison seven minutes later.
This Leicester team have also made a habit of upping their game after the interval, and that was again to be the case against the Gunners.
Vardy produced a characteristic, confident first-time finish from just inside the box after neat passing in the build-up from a confident Leicester side.
The goal was Vardy’s ninth in 10 appearances against Arsenal and he went close to a second in the 72nd minute but his low drive was kept out by Bernd Leno.
Three minutes later, Vardy turned provider for the Foxes’ second, poking the ball back to Maddison whose low strike whistled past Leno.
“It was a brilliant goal and from there I thought we took control of the game,” said Rodgers.
“It’s firstly about giving him confidence. He is up there with the very, very top strikers in European football with what he brings to a team, his pressing,” added the former Liverpool and Celtic manager.
“We’ve allowed him to do essentially what he wants to do – how we play, being aggressive and playing quickly obviously suits him. But his finishing ability, how clinical he is, is absolutely phenomenal. That’s a big testament to his concentration – when the opportunities come he’s always ready.”