RELEGATION IN THE BAGG NOW
Albion look doomed as Foxes tighten grip on top-four slot
JAMIE VARDY rediscovered his goalscoring touch as Leicester destroyed West Brom to set up a mouth-watering finale to a memorable season.
Brendan Rodgers’ side returned to action after reaching the FA Cup final by beating Southampton last weekend.
And there was no let up whatsoever as the Foxes kept their foot on the accelerator as they storm towards a topfour finish too.
Rampant Leicester were three goals to the good at the break against 19th-placed West Brom, whose recent revival scarcely seemed believable on this evidence.
Perhaps Albion should have known they were in for a torrid night when Mbaye Diagne managed an astonishing air-shot early on.
Vardy (below) showed no sign of rustiness though, his clinical finish opening the scoring in the 23rd minute. Former Baggies defender Jonny Evans headed a quick-fire second before in-form Kelechi Iheanacho also notched in the first half.
It could have been even worse for the Baggies who are nine points from safety with a shocking goal difference and look doomed.
Yet Leicester appear set for Champions League qualification as they consolidated third. There was no repeat of the nerves, frailties or injuries which cost Rodgers’ men last term in the run-in. West Brom unchanged after beating Southampton 3-0 for a second successive win.
While the hosts made two changes from their Wembley win as they recalled James Maddison and Luke Thomas.
They almost took the lead in the second minute when Iheanacho did well to rob a dithering Conor Townsend.
The in-form striker raced clear on goal but took a heavy touch which allowed keeper Sam Johnstone to force him wide.
The forward then had a shot which Johnstone did well to block as Leicester blew a golden chance.
But West Brom also had a superb early chance when Matheus Pereira picked out Diagne from Matt Phillips’ cross.
Yet the Senegal forward, who has two goals since joining on loan in January from Galatasaray, missed the ball completely with his effort.
Albion were made to pay a heavy price as the Foxes then scored twice in quick succession.
First Vardy ran on to Timothy Castagne’s unselfish lay-off from Youri Tielemans’ defencesplitting pass to end an 11-game drought.
The striker buried a firstwere time, right-foot finish beating the offside trap.
The Foxes doubled their lead three minutes later when Evans charged in at the back post to head in Tielemans’ corner which was helped on inadvertently off Phillips.
With Albion losing their heads in a torrid spell, Castagne also lashed a shot against the post.
But the hosts were not to be denied, as Iheanacho netted the third in the 36th minute with a composed close-range finish from Vardy’s excellent run and cut-back.
It was the striker’s 13th goal of 2021 – second to only Harry Kane, who has 15.
Unimpressed Baggies boss Allardyce sent on defender Semi Ajayi at the break.
His side improved but never looked capable of salvaging anything and it was just damage limitation. after