Veteran Vardy earns Leicester draw against Tottenham

Leicester City’s Wout Faes in action with Tottenham Hotspur’s Dominic Solanke

The evergreen Jamie Vardy marked his return to the English Premier League with a goal as promoted Leicester City held Tottenham Hotspur to a 1-1 draw at the King Power Stadium.

Vardy, 37, scored with the hosts first shot on target, nodding in Abdul Fatawu’s cross from close range just before the hour mark.

The goal cancelled out Pedro Porro’s first half opener for a Spurs side who had been utterly dominant in the opening 45 minutes and should have been comfortably clear before Vardy struck.

Summer signing Dominic Solanke, who moved to Tottenham for a fee that could rise to £65m, missed a number of early opportunities to score on his debut, twice directing tame headers at Foxes goal-keeper Mads Hermansen.

Instead, Vardy’s equaliser brought Leicester to life and they could have taken all three points as Tottenham struggled to deal with their energy and enthusiasm.

The former England striker could have secured the win himself as he was sent through on goal but his low strike was kept out by Guglielmo Vicario.

Neither side could find a winner nor while Leicester gained an important point as they strive to prove wrong those tipping them for relegation, Spurs were frustrated after their first-half dominance.

Meanwhile, Tottenham midfielder Rodrigo Bentancur was substituted in the second half after he was injured in a nasty collision.

The 27-year-old received oxygen as he was carried off on a stretcher following a five-minute delay for treatment, but boss Ange Postecoglou said after the game he was “conscious and communicating”.

Leicester have experienced plenty over the past few years - from winning the Premier League and playing in the Champions League to relegation to the Championship.

But the constant throughout all that has been the presence of Vardy.

He scored 136 goals in 307 appearances during his first spell in the Premier League but stayed with them on their return to the second tier to help them bounce back immediately.

The striker agreed a new one-year deal in the summer to enjoy what presumably will be one final hurrah in the top flight but belied his advancing years to earn Leicester a deserved point.

It had initially been expected that he would not be fit enough to play in this game but he stepped up for Steve Cooper’s injury-hit side and made the most of his surprise appearance with his goal.

The signs of rustiness were there when he was unable to grab the winner, placing a strike he normally tucks into the far corner too close to Vicario.

But he nevertheless showed he will more than play a part in Leicester’s bid to stay up this season, particularly with a possible points deduction looming for an alleged profit and sustainability breach. 

(Agencies)