Vardy scores hat-trick as Leicester humble Man City in seven-goal thriller

September 27

20:22 2020

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Manchester City were comprehensively humbled by Leicester City in the English Premier League (EPL) on Sunday, succumbing to a 5-2 loss at the Etihad Stadium.

Leicester City, unbeaten this season, were aided by three penalty awards, two of which were converted by Jamie Vardy who scored a hat-trick of goals against the former EPL champions.

It is the first time ever in Pep Guardiola’s 686-game managerial career that his team would concede five goals in a match.

Guardiola, Man City manager, had complained of injuries, lack of a striker and availability of only 13 senior players coming into this encounter, and Brendan Rodger’s Leicester made them pay in spectacular fashion, scoring four times in the second half.

Man City sprinted off from the start and took the lead through Riyad Mahrez, a former Leicester player.

Leicester equalised with eight minutes to the end of the first half through Vardy’s first penalty that was awarded for a foul by Kyle Walker in the 16-yard box. The 33-year-old English striker found the top left corner of the net.

The speedy attacker got his second on 54 minutes when he stole the ball ahead of a City defender to flick home Timothy Castagne’s low cross at the near post.

Vardy completed his hat-trick with a second penalty that he won himself with the number nine dusting himself up to put the ball beyond the dive of Ederson Moraes, Man City goalkeeper, for a 3-1 lead.

James Maddison, a 69th-minute substitute, made it 4-1 with an excellent curling shot from the edge of the area.

The attacking midfielder evaded Walker’s attention with nobody closing him down and then curled the ball into the top right corner and beyond a helpless Ederson.

While Nathan Ake, a defender signed in the summer from Bournemouth, reduced the deficit six minutes from time with a header from Mahrez’s cross following a short corner, Leicester had the final word through Youri Tielemans.

The midfielder converted Leicester’s third penalty kick that was awarded for a Benjamin Mendy foul on Maddison.

Leicester City’s win means they are top of the EPL after winning all opening three games and with better goal difference to Everton who have also started the season unbeaten with three straight wins.

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