Manchester City 2-5 Leicester: player ratings, Vardy’s on fire!
By Joe Reilly
A sensational Jamie Vardy hat-trick launched Leicester City to the top of the league, marking their best ever start to a Premier League campaign. Here’s how the rest of the team performed.
Leading up to this afternoon’s game against Manchester City, there were many questions surrounding the apparent negativity of the Foxes’ team selection. Wins against West Brom and Burnley were secured utilising a four-at-the-back system, and so the choice to switch to a back three baffled many. What’s more, Leicester City’s last away win against the Citizens came all the way back in the title-winning campaign of 2016 with an infamous Robert Huth brace, while manager Rodgers was yet to beat a Pep Guardiola side until today.
The Foxes started poorly, with a loose James Justin clearance from a corner falling to former Leicester winger Riyad Mahrez. The Algerian slammed the ball home convincingly in the fourth minute, unknowingly setting the tone for what would be a certifiable goal-fest.
It took the East Midlanders up until the 37th minute to respond, when Jamie Vardy drew and scored the first penalty of the game after being brought down by fellow England man Kyle Walker. The Foxes only managed one shot on target and 27% possession in the first half, but nonetheless entered half-time level.
Despite having far less of the ball, Rodgers’ men defended compactly, allowing the home side little space and then hitting hard on the counter-attack. At 54 minutes played, a superb Youri Tielemans release saw fellow Belgian Timothy Castagne set up Vardy for his second of the game with a sublime back-heel finish. Only four minutes later, Vardy completed his hat-trick with another penalty, putting Leicester City two goals to the good.
Substitute James Maddison made it four with an outrageous curling strike that’s surely an early contender for goal of the season, before Nathan Aké headed home from a corner to bring one back for Guardiola’s men. Maddison’s impact off the bench was again felt when he drew the 20th penalty of this Premier League campaign already (5 of which by Leicester), which was tucked away comfortably by Tielemans.