WBA 2-3 Leicester: Comeback kings rescued by Jamie Vardy once again [VIDEO]
Jamie Vardy continued his stunning form as Leicester edged past West Brom. The England striker has now scored in eight straight Barclays Premier League games as he sealed the Foxes' 3-2 win at The Hawthorns. He is now just two games away from equalling Ruud van Nistelrooy's all-time record set […]
Jamie Vardy continued his stunning form as Leicester edged past West Brom.
The England striker has now scored in eight straight Barclays Premier League games as he sealed the Foxes' 3-2 win at The Hawthorns.
He is now just two games away from equalling Ruud van Nistelrooy's all-time record set in 2003 and is the league's top scorer with 11 goals in as many matches.
Riyad Mahrez had already scored twice – although his second should have been disallowed for offside – as the visitors remain unbeaten on the road.
Salomon Rondon's second goal in two games put the Baggies ahead but they missed the chance to record three successive wins for the first time since 2012.
Rickie Lambert scored his first goal for Albion from the penalty spot late on but it could not rescue the hosts.
Leicester were the better side throughout and Vardy sent the Baggies an early warning when he was inches away from the opening goal after eight minutes.
The England striker lost Craig Dawson before turning Gareth McAuley only to hit the inside of the post and see the ball fly out.
It was the only early chance during a tepid start where the Foxes made the running without making the crucial breakthrough.
The one-dimensional Baggies had rarely looked like creating from open play with their only threat coming from Chris Brunt's free kick which hit the wall.
But they took the lead on 30 minutes when Leicester switched off from a corner and Danny Simpson allowed Rondon to edge ahead and glance in at the near post.
It at least roused a subdued Hawthorns although the Foxes remained the more dangerous.
Boaz Myhill saved from Leonardo Ulloa, making his first league start of the season as the rusty striker searched for his first goal since May.
But they remained without an equaliser and were indebted to Simpson when he denied James McClean when the winger was ready to pounce two minutes after the break.
The Foxes always looked likely to score, though, and they deservedly levelled on 57 minutes thanks to Mahrez's seventh goal of the season.
Marc Albrighton was given far too much time and space to put in a dangerous cross and Mahrez arrived to slot past Myhill from six yards.
It was sloppy from Albion and they suffered again seven minutes later.
Vardy had already gone close before Mahrez struck again when he combined with Albrighton to volley in from close range.
It was again deserved but the winger was offside before he made contact and it got worse for Albion with 13 minutes left when Vardy continued his remarkable record.
With West Brom pressing Danny Drinkwater split the Baggies for Vardy to outpace the floundering defence and rifle past Myhill.
It set up a grandstand finish as Lambert made it 3-2 from the spot when Callum McManaman was felled by N'Golo Kante with five minutes left.
McManaman curled wide and Kasper Schmeichel saved from Lambert in injury time as Leicester held on.
TWEET OF THE MATCH
“Vardy strikes for the 8th consecutive @premierleague game. Game's gone mad!” – Gary Lineker (@GaryLineker) reacts after Jamie Vardy's goal against West Brom.
RATINGS
West Brom:
Boaz Myhill: 6/10
Craig Dawson: 6
Gareth McAuley: 6
Jonny Evans: 6
Chris Brunt: 6
Darren Fletcher: 6
Claudio Yacob: 6
James McClean: 6
Saido Berahino: 6
Stephane Sessegnon: 6
Salomon Rondon: 7
Subs:
Rickie Lambert: 6
James Morrison: 6
Callum McManaman: 7
Leicester:
Kasper Schmeichel: 7
Danny Simpson: 7
Robert Huth: 6
Wes Morgan: 6
Jeff Schlupp: 6
Marc Albrighton: 7
N'Golo Kante: 6
Danny Drinkwater: 7
Riyad Mahrez: 8
Leonardo Ulloa: 6
Jamie Vardy: 7
Subs:
Andy King: 6
Nathan Dyer: 6
Shinji Okazaki: 6
STAR MAN:
Riyad Mahrez
The winger changed the game inside seven minutes with clinical finishes – although he profited from poor defending and officiating. The Foxes were the more dangerous and in Mahrez they have someone who can change a game when they need him. He now has three goals in his last two games and his creativity and intelligence are things West Brom were crying out for.
MOMENT OF THE MATCH:
Leicester always looked the better side and they rubber stamped the victory – before surviving a few late scares – with Jamie Vardy's goal. The striker outpaced the Albion defence and his ruthless finish showed he is at the top of his game. It made it 11 goals for the season in the Barclays Premier League and Vardy has now scored in eight straight games – just two matches away from equalling the league's all-time record.
VIEW FROM THE BENCH
West Brom were searching for three straight wins for the first time since 2012 and boss Pulis will be unhappy they failed to build on a first-half lead. Albion were second best for much of the contest and they never looked comfortable even with the goal from Salomon Rondon. Claudio Ranieri would have been frustrated with his side, despite being the better team in the first half, but they showed their character and in Mahrez and Vardy he has match winners.
MOAN OF THE MATCH:
Tony Pulis will be rightfully angry about Mahrez's second goal after replays showed the winger was offside before he scored. It will be a massive bone of contention with the game delicately poised at 1-1 before the Algerian struck. How the officials missed it will also be questioned with Mahrez clearly beyond the Baggies' backline when Marc Albrighton crossed for him.
WHO'S UP NEXT?
Leicester v Watford (Premier League, Saturday November 7).
Man Utd v West Brom (Premier League, Saturday November 7)
