FAN REPORT – Jamie Vardy Makes It 10 in 10

We sent City Fan SCOTT DAVIES up to NEWCASTLE to bring you the view from the fans….

City took the long trip to Tyneside to face a Newcastle team who have had a mixed start to the Premier League campaign under new manager Steve McClaren.

All eyes were on Vardy who had the chance to equal the Premier League record of scoring in 10 consecutive games. Having missed out on both England matches, it was touch and go if he’d play for City, but all worries were eased when the starting 11 was named.

It was all Leicester from the off with a number of good chances being created in the first half as City looked a class above a somewhat poor Magpies team. Mahrez and Vardy combined well on six minutes, with the Algerian playing in England’s Number 9, only for his shot to be blocked.

On 42 Vardy was once again played through by a weaving Mahrez run which Elliott did well to save with his legs sending the ball out for a corner.

City pressed Newcastle hard and got their reward on 45. A neat passage of play down the left flank between Drinkwater, Albrighton, Ulloa and Vardy carved open the Toon defence and Vardy drilled his shot low and hard to the right of Elliott for and incredible 13th goal of the season in as many games. He now sits proudly alongside Ruud Van Nistlerooy in an illustrious list of players.

Deserved leaders at half time and despite it only being 1-0, you just couldn’t see Newcastle troubling City now they had the goal.

The second half continued in the same vain. Newcastle were simply second best in every department. Drinkwater and Kante, outstanding in the middle were tearing Newcastle apart. Albrighton and Mahrez were unstoppable with the latter completing 85% of his passes, rarely missing his target.

On 62, The Foxes went further ahead. Mahrez took the ball on the right flank and waited for an opening at the far post before chipping in a cross to Ulloa who was left unmarked. He couldn’t miss and powered a diving header by Elliott.

Okazaki came on for Ulloa on 73 as Ulloa was looking tired and is still lacking full match fitness. 10 minutes later, Okazaki got in on the action after Simpson had his shot blocked. Okazaki mistimed the first header, but did well to control the second ball with a neat header down before bundling the ball into the net.  Replays showed it was way over the line and if it wasn’t already over, at 3-0, they were never going to let it slip.

Cries of Ole sounded from the away fans as Leicester simply passed the ball about with ease and embarrassed Newcastle in a stadium which was now all but empty.

This was probably the most complete performance this season. Strong at the back, dominant in midfield and deadly up front. Despite a superb performance, I still think we have more in us, which is frightening!

The battle of first v second commences next Saturday as City take on Man Utd. Who’d have thought at the start of the season, that would be the case come 28th November!? United will have scores to settle after last season, but you can bet City will be up for the fight as we currently fear no one.

It was hard to single out one player as everyone was superb.  I was torn between Fuchs, Drinkwater and Kante for the man of the match, but I think Kante edged it overall as he was everywhere once again, snapping at the heels of every Newcastle player.

Man of the Match – N’Golo Kante  

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