Unbeaten Run Continues As Vardy Hits A Double
Four changes to the Brendan Rodgers’ XI saw Wilfred Ndidi and Ben Chilwell make a return from injury, while Marc Albrighton was handed his first start of the 2019/20 season and Jonny Evans partnered Çağlar Söyüncü in the centre of defence.
It took just 12 minutes for the Foxes to find an opener, as the returning Chilwell lifted a pin-point pass over the top of the Cherries defence and into the path of Vardy, whose superb first-time lob beat the onrushing Aaron Ramsdale.
City were pegged back, though, as Callum Wilson finished well past Kasper Schmeichel after latching onto Ryan Fraser’s pass, three minutes after Vardy’s strike.
Attacker James Maddison, who a day earlier was called-up to England’s senior team, then sent a header wide, while Vardy nearly capitalised on a mistake from Ramsdale after chasing down the shot-stopper.
The sturdy Söyüncü then came close to scoring a stunning goal, but his left-footed shot curled just over the bar with 31 minutes on the clock.
City’s pressure told before the interval, though, and it was Youri Tielemans who was this time on target. Vardy’s initial pass was blocked, but the ball fell to the No.9 for the second time before he squared to the Belgian, who side-footed in off the post.
An early spell of defending from the Foxes saw Evans make two important clearances, while Academy graduate Harvey Barnes drew a good stop from Ramsdale with 66 minutes gone.
Further pressure from City eventually led to their third, and Vardy’s second strike of the game. Maddison recovered the ball off Chris Mepham and it fell to Tielemans – the Belgian’s instinctive pass found Vardy, who slotted in for 3-1.
Substitute Demarai Gray nearly added a third goal in injury time, but after rounding Steve Cook, Ramsdale denied the City winger at the front post.
Major moment
Initially pegged back by Callum Wilson’s leveller, City knew a goal before half-time would reignite them ahead of the interval.
It was Youri Tielemans who would score the Foxes’ second of the game, and restore their advantage with 41 minutes on the clock.
It proved crucial to the game’s overall result, as Vardy went on to add a third of the afternoon with 17 minutes remaining.
Who impressed?
Matt Elliott told LCFC Radio: “It’s a collective performance. There were some good performances throughout. Jonny Evans was stead as a rock and Çağlar Söyüncü did well the longer the game went on. Wilfred Ndidi came back like he’s never been away and James Maddison was technically the best player out there.
"For me, the man with the biggest influence is that man Jamie Vardy. He got two goals and one assist. There were numerous other scares for the opposition. The defenders and goalkeeper will be having nightmares about him for weeks to come.
"What an attribute he is, he’s my Man of the Match."
Where do we stand?
City currently sit third in the Premier League standings after four fixtures after securing back-to-back wins. They have accumulated eight points from a possible 12, and are two points behind Manchester City.
Coming up…
The Foxes return to action on Saturday 14 September, when they travel to Old Trafford to take on Manchester United (3pm BST kick-off), while they make a return to King Power Stadium a week later when they face Tottenham Hotspur.