Late Vardy magic gives Leicester the edge over Sheffield United
Sheffield: A 90th-minute goal from striker Jamie Vardy gave Leicester City a 2-1 win at Sheffield United in the Premier League on Sunday, lifting the Foxes back into the top four while leaving the Blades rooted to the bottom of the table.
Meanwhile at The Hawthorns, Wilfried Zaha inspires Crystal Palace to a 5-1 demolition of 10-man West Bromwich Albion.
Jamie Vardy strikes gold for Leicester. Again.Credit:AP
Leicester moved up to third on 21 points from 11 games, while Sheffield United stayed in last place with one point, after stretching their winless league run to 14 games dating back to the end of last season.
Vardy netted a trademark winner as he raced clear through the middle and steered his shot past Sheffield United goalkeeper Aaron Ramsdale. Oliver McBurnie had earlier cancelled out an Ayoze Perez opener for the visitors.
Perez gave the Foxes a 24th-minute lead when he powered in a close range volley, but McBurnie equalised three minutes later as he headed home a John Lundstram corner.
Leicester dominated the first half and twice hit the post through Vardy and James Maddison, with the home side restricted to sporadic raids.
The pace dropped in the second half and when it seemed the Blades had done enough to earn a share of the spoils, Maddison released Vardy with a sublime pass and the striker made no mistake from the edge of the penalty area.
West Brom demolish Palace
Zaha struck twice on his comeback after recovering from the coronavirus, as Palace scored five away from home to beat Crystal Palace. Without Zaha, Palace had lost to Burnley and Newcastle.
Christian Benteke also scored twice for Palace in the second half after Darnell Furlong’s own goal put the visitors ahead at The Hawthorns.
Conor Gallagher levelled in the first half before Matheus Pereira’s controversial 34th-minute red card allowed Palace to take control.
Christian Benteke strikes for Crystal Palace.Credit:AP
Palace climbed to 11th but inflicted more Premier League misery on West Brom, which remains in the bottom three.
Albion has won just once this season and now faces the next three games without Pereira, following his dismissal for appearing to kick Patrick Van Aanholt.
The forward was bundled over by Van Aanholt and, while he was on the ground, appeared to catch the defender in the stomach with his boot.
After a VAR check, referee Paul Tierney also consulted his monitor and sent off the Baggies star.
While some Premier League stadiums have been allowed 2000 fans this weekend, West Bromwich is an area subject to more stringent coronavirus restrictions, which means spectators are still prohibited.
Reuters