Vardy s late strike blunts Blades
A 90th-minute goal from striker Jamie Vardy gave Leicester City a 2-1 win at Sheffield United in the Premier League on Sunday, lifting the Foxes back into the top four while leaving the Blades rooted to the bottom of the table.
Leicester moved up to third on 21 points from 11 games, while Sheffield United stayed in last place with one point, after stretching their winless league run to 14 games dating back to the end of last season.
Vardy netted a trademark winner as he raced clear through the middle and steered his shot past Sheffield United goalkeeper Aaron Ramsdale after Oliver McBurnie had cancelled out an Ayoze Perez opener for the visitors.
Perez gave the Foxes a 24thminute lead when he powered in a close-range volley but McBurnie equalised three minutes later as he headed home a John Lundstram corner.
Leicester dominated the first half and twice hit the post through Vardy and James Maddison, with the home side restricted to sporadic raids.
The pace dropped in the second half and when it seemed the Blades had done enough to earn a share of the spoils, Maddison released Vardy with a sublime pass and the striker made no mistake from the edge of the penalty area.
Crystal Palace manager Roy Hodgson has praised Wilfried Zaha for his newfound sharpness in front of goal after the Ivorian netted twice in Sunday’s 5-1 Premier League victory at 10man West Bromwich Albion.
Zaha marked his comeback from self-isolation after contracting Covid-19 with two welltaken goals, first curling the ball past Sam Johnstone in the 55th minute and then doubling his tally 13 minutes later by tapping home after a fine run from Eberechi Eze.
We know he has that ability. When he can get the ball in the final third, he’s very difficult to stop,” Hodgson said of Zaha, who is Palace’s top scorer this season with seven league goals.
What he’s added this year is goalscoring, he’s always looking to get shots away. That first goal I see a lot in training — it ’ s not a fluke. If he can keep that up, that bodes well for us.”
Hodgson also reserved praise for striker Christian Benteke, who opened his account for the campaign on his first start with two second-half goals.
I would like to think he’s going to get lots of plaudits. It wasn’t just the goals, there were other aspects, too,” Hodgson said. He ’ s waited for a chance. He s been patient and never stopped working.
Today he showed the type of player he was when we bought him from Liverpool, and he hasn’t lost it. Players can still rely on him, and I want to see more of it.”
Palace, who now have 16 points from 11 matches to sit 11th on the log, host league leaders Tottenham Hotspur next weekend.