Vardy savours first Leicester hat-trick

Leicester (United Kingdom) (AFP) – Jamie Vardy admitted he was relieved to end his goal drought and get Leicester back on track as the striker’s hat-trick inspired a 4-2 win against Manchester City on Saturday.

Vardy brought a halt to his 16-game barren run in spectacular fashion as the England international clinically converted all three of his shots at the King Power Stadium to net his first hat-trick for Leicester.

It was also Vardy’s first treble since 2012 when he was playing for Fleetwood against Ebbsfleet in non-league football.

Vardy’s life has changed hugely since then and asked if he could recall his previous hat-trick, the Premier League title winner said: “I’m guessing it was for Fleetwood, against Ebbsfleet? I think I scored an audacious halfway line shot as well.”

Vardy is now Leicester’s all-time leading Premier League scorer as his 34 goals took him ahead of Emile Heskey.

But the 29-year-old, who departed to a standing ovation when he was substituted in the closing stages, was more concerned with the impact his goals could have on Leicester after a disappointing run had seen them fall dangerously close to the relegation zone.

“You can definitely say that. We wanted to make sure we were competitive and see the team fighting for the cause and we definitely showed that,” Vardy said.

“We will just get back on the training pitch and look forward to the next game.”

After hinting that Vardy was in danger of losing his place and then resting him for the midweek Champions League defeat at Porto, Foxes boss Claudio Ranieri was delighted to see his star back on the goal trail.

“I’m very pleased for Jamie, when he finished I said ‘oh welcome back’,” Ranieri added.