Leicester City 2-0 Ipswich Town
Post Match Analysis by Chris Griffin (Part one, with it being Vardy’s special day we thought we would ask two long term members of our reporting team for their thoughts)
The views expressed in this report are the opinions of the Trust member nominated to file the report only and do not represent the views of the Foxes Trust organisation.
Jamie Vardy photo (c) Julie Williams-Glover
What could have easily been a dull and mundane game was a match of great significance for City fans. This game was all about Vardy, our departing and legendary talisman. Could the great man secure his so well-deserved 200th goal for the club in his 500th Leicester game?
All was hope and anticipation before the match. Each fan swirled a blue and white flag bearing the legend ”Thank you Vards”. Outsized banners of Vardy adorned the ends behind the goals. The team came out to a rapturous reception – or rather Jamie Vardy came out to a rapturous reception. Fans were also pleased to see Nigel Pearson in the ground – the manager who signed JV for City 13 years ago to the day.
The game had a quiet start with Ipswich edging the play. Ipswich left back Davis struck the post with a fierce shot. Morsy shot over the bar. Hutchinson shot high and wide. At the other end Ayew played Vardy into the box neatly but the striker was shepherded away from goal and his shot went wide. A clever El Khannouss free kick gave Vardy the chance to turn and shoot left-footed but his effort hit the side netting.
The 28th minute brought the moment every City fan had been waiting for. Justin won the ball in the Leicester half and set off on a long run in the inside right position. On reaching the Ipswich D he spotted Vardy’s diagonal run and played a short pass into Vardy’s stride. Our man did not hesitate, turning and side footing the ball into the far corner of the goal with keeper Palmer left with no chance. A classy striker’s goal.
The acclaim for Vardy brought memories of some of the seismic roars from the premier title winning season. Every player rushed to him. Vardy was already reminding the Ipswich fans who had scored, especially as they had been coming out with the usual nonsense about his wife.
Given the game did not count for much – if anything – there was almost a sense of “what do we do now?” as the fans settled. What they had come to see had happened.
The game meandered towards half time. Hutchinson put another effort over the bar. Leicester stayed one up. The family in front of me wore their party hats as they chorused “Jamie Vardy’s having a party.”
Ipswich started the second half with more energy. McAteer earned a card after a tackle from behind. Encisco looked lively for the visitors and his right foot effort just missed the far post. Town were getting some shots away in the City area but the blocking of City defenders was effective and kept the goal protected.
At the other end McAteer came close, striking the post with a rasping left foot shot. Leicester replaced Justin and Ayew with Pereira and Monga. In the 69th minute City doubled the lead. Good passing between Soumare, El Khannouss and Ndidi worked the ball to McAteer. The winger drove a fierce right footed shot past the keeper at the near post and into the net.
That was game over although there was time to enjoy a little cameo from Monga who looks a remarkably gifted player.
Come the 81st minute Jamie Vardy left the King Power pitch for the last time as a player. The ovation was loud, long and rapturous. The City players formed a guard of honour as he departed underlining the significance of his going.
There was time for El Khannouss to go close with a strong shot and then the final whistle.
The overwhelming majority of City fans stayed to see the presentation to Vardy and to watch his lap of honour. It was a good touch to have so many former players present who had played with Vardy over the previous thirteen years. It was also a good touch to give the microphone to Sky’s Rob Dorsset. He handled the occasion deftly and drew out typically laconic and dry Jamie Vardy responses. Vardy’s closing farewell comments are worth noting. He said being with City “had been a roller coaster but that there were more highs than lows.” He added “I will keep an eye on the club I love. They’re in my heart.” He concluded: “The only thing I can really say is that from the bottom of my heart is thank you for taking in me and my family.”
The club presented its gifts to the great man. (As happens in the best stories the hero rightly receives the tributes.) He was also announced as City’s Player of the Season. No surprise there!
Before the long walk around the ground started Vardy’s young daughter decided to go first. Her confidence and chutzpah (wonder where she gets those from) engaged the crowd’s applause and waves as she waved to all during her solo walk. A chorus of “sign her up” accompanied her. An enjoyable end to a memorable day.
Media outlets covering Vardy’s farewell have asked fans and pundits to select their favourite Vardy goals. All City supporters will have a favourite: the lashed in volley from wide out against Liverpool; the equaliser from Fuchs’ pass against Manchester United which set Vardy’s record for goals in consecutive games; the goals he scored in the 5-3 win against United in the Great Escape season.
My choice is also from the Great Escape season. We had been stranded at the foot of the table and many points adrift for most of the season. It looked very bleak – but then the football gods began to look kindly on us.
In early April a last minute deflection off Andy King’s shin gave us three points against West Ham. The following week we were at West Bromwich. The game was nearly done. The score 2-2 and the Baggies pressing hard. A long clearance from City’s defence was gathered by former City defender McAuley on the half way line close to touch. He lingered on the ball, weighing up his passing options.
That was a big mistake. From nowhere Vardy appeared, nicked the ball in a nanosecond and sprinted towards the Baggies’ penalty area. In vain Lescott came across to challenge but Vardy’s speed left the Baggies defender treading water. With enormous confidence and brio Vardy strode into the box and unleashed an unstoppable drive across goalkeeper Myhill into the far corner of the net. The winning goal and one essential to sustaining momentum for the Great Escape.
Mahrez joined Vardy to celebrate with the fans. Little did we realise that pictures of that pair celebrating together would be frequent images the following season as we went on to win the league by ten points. Had Vardy not scored that goal v WBA our momentum to climb the table and escape relegation may have been terminally damaged. It wasn’t and it was all because of a cracker from our best of all time.
Great day. Great win. Great player.
Leicester City: Stolarczyk; Justin (Pereira 64); Coady; Faes; Thomas; Ndidi (Skipp 88); Soumare; McAteer (Evans 80); Ayew (Monga 64); El Khannouss; Vardy (Daka 80)
Ipswich Town: Palmer; Tuanzebe; O’Shea; Greaves; Davis; Morsy (Luongo 88); Cajuste (Taylor 71); Hutchinson; Encisco (Chaplin 71); Jack Clarke (Broadhead 71); Hirst (Delap 71)
Referee: Andrew Kitchen