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Watford 1-5 Leicester City: Jamie Vardy scores twice as Foxes condemn relegated Watford to defeat

By Steve SutcliffeBBC Sport

Last updated on .From the section Premier Leaguecomments235

Jamie Vardy scores
Jamie Vardy has scored 26 goals against promoted teams since the start of 2014-15

Jamie Vardy scored twice as Leicester thrashed already relegated Watford to consign them to a seventh defeat in eight Premier League games.

The result boosts the Foxes hopes of a top-10 finish, with Watford, who have now lost 15 of their 19 home matches, remaining just above Norwich at the bottom of the table.

With Roy Hodgson's successor Rob Edwards paraded before kick-off, the afternoon had started brightly for the Hornets.

Joao Pedro's close-range effort deflected off Timothy Castagne to put them in front, and they had opportunities to extend their lead with Adam Masina hitting the crossbar and Brazilian forward Pedro seeing another effort well saved by Foxes goalkeeper Danny Ward.

However, a defensive mix-up between Masina and Craig Cathcart allowed Youri Tielemans to tee-up James Maddison for the equaliser, and from there the Foxes took control.

Another misjudgement, this time from goalkeeper Ben Foster, saw Vardy beat him to the ball to head in Leicester's second before Harvey Barnes guided Marc Albrighton's cross into the bottom left corner 22 seconds after the break.

While Pedro twice further seriously tested Ward, Watford's dismal day saw Vardy race on to Barnes' pass to prod the ball past Foster, before Barnes compounded their misery, sweeping a low effort past Foster into the bottom right corner late on.

Woeful Watford

Relegated Hornets 'architects of own downfall' - Roy Hodgson

This felt like an occasion for Watford to try and finish their final home match of a wretched season with a flourish.

However, they delivered a disappointing display which did anything but lay an optimistic foundation for next term's Championship campaign, their performance only underlining the scale of the job in front of Edwards as he watched on from the stands.

Pedro's early effort had provided the perfect start as they attempted to record their first victory at Vicarage Road since the 4-1 humbling of Manchester United in November.

But from the moment Leicester equalised they capitulated, with some hapless defending contributing to them becoming the first club to lose 15 home games in a Premier League season.

"We were architects of own downfall," Hodgson said.

"Bad mistakes led to the goals. When you analyse the goals we conceded, there isn't a lot good you could say. Crass individual errors and we find ourselves on the end of a very bad defeat.

"We've had the worst home record in all the leagues. You need your wins at home. The fans are entitled to be frustrated and upset with us and to make their opinions heard."

Hodgson's side have also conceded 46 league goals at home this term, the most by any top-flight team since 1960-61.

It represented an embarrassing send-off for Hodgson at Vicarage Road and for Foster, who also appears set to leave the club this summer.

Vintage Vardy

James Maddison was 'sensational' - Brendan Rodgers

While the pre-match focus was on goalkeeper Kasper Schmeichel's omission after 149 consecutive league appearances, by the end it was another of Leicester's 35-year-olds who had taken the headlines.

For the second game running Vardy scored twice, becoming the first Leicester player to do so in the Premier League and the second-oldest player ever after Youri Djorkaeff to accomplish that feat in the competition.

His first was all about anticipation, running clear of the last defender to reach Maddison's lofted ball before Foster and glancing his header into an unguarded net.

His second was another typical Vardy effort, running into the channel to collect Barnes' pass before sliding his shot past Foster.

By then Leicester's early woes of conceding a 16th top-flight goal from a corner were long forgotten.

"It was a fantastic win," said Leicester manager Brendan Rodgers.

"It's never easy at this stage of the season when people think you have nothing to play for. I'm proud of the players. They turned up and they were hungry right to the end. I thought the attacking part of our game was outstanding."

Player of the match

VardyJamie Vardy

with an average of 8.32

Watford

  1. Squad number1Player nameFoster
    Average rating

    6.48

  2. Squad number10Player nameJoão Pedro
    Average rating

    5.74

  3. Squad number19Player nameSissoko
    Average rating

    5.08

  4. Squad number12Player nameSema
    Average rating

    4.92

  5. Squad number16Player nameGosling
    Average rating

    4.91

  6. Squad number2Player nameNgakia
    Average rating

    4.89

  7. Squad number27Player nameKabasele
    Average rating

    4.72

  8. Squad number15Player nameCathcart
    Average rating

    4.69

  9. Squad number28Player nameKalu
    Average rating

    4.66

  10. Squad number11Player nameMasina
    Average rating

    4.60

  11. Squad number39Player nameKayembe
    Average rating

    4.51

  12. Squad number14Player nameKamara
    Average rating

    4.14

  13. Squad number4Player nameEtebo
    Average rating

    3.35

Leicester City

  1. Squad number9Player nameVardy
    Average rating

    8.32

  2. Squad number10Player nameMaddison
    Average rating

    8.08

  3. Squad number22Player nameDewsbury-Hall
    Average rating

    8.00

  4. Squad number7Player nameBarnes
    Average rating

    7.79

  5. Squad number11Player nameAlbrighton
    Average rating

    7.67

  6. Squad number18Player nameAmartey
    Average rating

    7.52

  7. Squad number3Player nameFofana
    Average rating

    7.45

  8. Squad number2Player nameJustin
    Average rating

    7.45

  9. Squad number29Player nameDaka
    Average rating

    7.38

  10. Squad number6Player nameEvans
    Average rating

    7.25

  11. Squad number27Player nameCastagne
    Average rating

    7.25

  12. Squad number8Player nameTielemans
    Average rating

    7.25

  13. Squad number24Player nameMendy
    Average rating

    7.15

  14. Squad number12Player nameWard
    Average rating

    7.01

Line-ups

Watford

Formation 4-3-3

  • 1Foster
  • 2Ngakia
  • 27Kabasele
  • 15Cathcart
  • 11Masina
  • 19Sissoko
  • 39Kayembe
  • 16GoslingSubstituted forKamaraat 45'minutes
  • 28Kalu
  • 10João Pedro
  • 12SemaSubstituted forEteboat 81'minutes

Substitutes

  • 4Etebo
  • 5Troost-Ekong
  • 14Kamara
  • 26Bachmann
  • 31Sierralta
  • 34Baah
  • 42Morris
  • 49Çukur

Leicester

Formation 4-1-4-1

  • 12Ward
  • 27Castagne
  • 3Fofana
  • 6EvansSubstituted forAmarteyat 57'minutes
  • 2Justin
  • 24MendySubstituted forAlbrightonat 45'minutes
  • 10Maddison
  • 8TielemansBooked at 55mins
  • 22Dewsbury-Hall
  • 7Barnes
  • 9VardySubstituted forDakaat 81'minutes

Substitutes

  • 1Schmeichel
  • 4Söyüncü
  • 11Albrighton
  • 14Iheanacho
  • 17Pérez
  • 18Amartey
  • 29Daka
  • 33Thomas
  • 37Lookman
Referee:
Jarred Gillett
Attendance:
20,257

Match Stats

Home TeamWatfordAway TeamLeicester
Possession
Home40%
Away60%
Shots
Home13
Away13
Shots on Target
Home5
Away7
Corners
Home7
Away3
Fouls
Home4
Away6

Live Text

  1. Post update

    Match ends, Watford 1, Leicester City 5.

  2. Full Time

    Second Half ends, Watford 1, Leicester City 5.

  3. Post update

    Attempt saved. Patson Daka (Leicester City) left footed shot from the left side of the box is saved in the bottom right corner. Assisted by Harvey Barnes with a through ball.

  4. Post update

    James Justin (Leicester City) wins a free kick on the left wing.

  5. Post update

    Foul by Peter Etebo (Watford).

  6. Post update

    Foul by Wesley Fofana (Leicester City).

  7. Post update

    Samuel Kalu (Watford) wins a free kick in the attacking half.

  8. Goal!

    Goal! Watford 1, Leicester City 5. Harvey Barnes (Leicester City) right footed shot from the left side of the box to the bottom right corner. Assisted by James Maddison.

  9. Substitution

    Substitution, Leicester City. Patson Daka replaces Jamie Vardy.

  10. Substitution

    Substitution, Watford. Peter Etebo replaces Ken Sema.

  11. Post update

    Attempt missed. Christian Kabasele (Watford) header from very close range is close, but misses to the left. Assisted by Ken Sema with a cross following a corner.

  12. Post update

    Corner, Watford. Conceded by Danny Ward.

  13. Post update

    Attempt saved. João Pedro (Watford) right footed shot from the centre of the box is saved in the top centre of the goal. Assisted by Samuel Kalu.

  14. Post update

    Corner, Watford. Conceded by Timothy Castagne.

  15. Post update

    Attempt missed. Christian Kabasele (Watford) header from very close range is too high. Assisted by Ken Sema with a cross following a corner.

  16. Post update

    Corner, Watford. Conceded by Danny Ward.

  17. Goal!

    Goal! Watford 1, Leicester City 4. Jamie Vardy (Leicester City) right footed shot from the centre of the box to the bottom right corner. Assisted by Harvey Barnes with a through ball.

  18. Post update

    James Maddison (Leicester City) wins a free kick in the attacking half.

  19. Post update

    Foul by Adam Masina (Watford).

  20. Post update

    Offside, Leicester City. Timothy Castagne tries a through ball, but Marc Albrighton is caught offside.

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Comments

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235 comments

  • Comment posted by Navers, at 16:08 15 May

    While Watford are absolutely pants, how much of a different team are Leicester with Vardy back? What a player.

    • Reply posted by gone-for-a-walk-bye, at 16:16 15 May

      gone-for-a-walk-bye replied:
      Wow yes now old man Vardy he’s back he scores a brace against two championship teams fantastic

  • Comment posted by Randy Bandicoot, at 16:15 15 May

    Oh what could have been, if Vardy, Maddison, Ndidi, Fofana, Evans and Justin had been healthy all year. So pleased to see Danny Ward have a great game.

    • Reply posted by gone-for-a-walk-bye, at 16:19 15 May

      gone-for-a-walk-bye replied:
      Stop whingeing everybody has injuries in their team Leicester is no different

  • Comment posted by I Am Not A Bouncy Castle, at 16:02 15 May

    Jamie Vardy just doesn't stop.

    • Reply posted by topo, at 16:15 15 May

      topo replied:
      Class finisher, plenty would have been happy to have him in their team - proper Goalscorers like Hen’s teeth.....

  • Comment posted by Biggers123, at 20:31 15 May

    Correct me if I'm wrong but Vardy is second with 37 goals against top 6 teams in the Premier League! Aguero is top with 54. Now stands alone as 14th and 132 goals on the all Premier League list. Could knock Michael Owen off 10th spot with 150. Not bad for a machine operator who played Sunday pub football and Non League. Keep going Vards we love you!!

  • Comment posted by certman, at 16:54 15 May

    What can one say it was an absolute shambles. Highlight was the response to Leicester fans chanting we are winning away when our lot chanted that’s nothing special we are losing again.

  • Comment posted by Scottiedog, at 16:03 15 May

    The Foxes have had terrible injuries this season, along with playing 19 cup games.

    I think we are only now seeing how good they are, and think they will be up there next season with no European distractions and a fully fit squad.

    • Reply posted by John Leicester, at 16:34 15 May

      John Leicester replied:
      Terrible injuries...... Terrible MANAGER

  • Comment posted by paul, at 16:52 15 May

    No sympathy for Watford should have stuck with Munoz, they'd have been alright. Hope the premier league can see a fit Vardy for another few seasons

    • Reply posted by elmet, at 16:56 15 May

      elmet replied:
      You must be joking. No manager would keep the Watford squad in the division, least of all the cheerful but clueless Munoz.

  • Comment posted by Alan, at 19:22 15 May

    The Watford owner is responsible for this shambolic mess - I feel sorry for the true fans, they deserve better.

    • Reply posted by cyclelogical, at 20:13 15 May

      cyclelogical replied:
      Who would have thought that changing managers three times a season would end badly

  • Comment posted by John Leicester, at 16:00 15 May

    JAMIE VARDY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

  • Comment posted by Max G, at 18:04 15 May

    Vardy grabs the headlines again.

    This time it's Jamie.

  • Comment posted by Peter, at 21:23 15 May

    Why is it that 'Gone-for-walk-bye' is always on the Leicester HYS? It's like he's infatuated with the Foxes... Unfortunately his comments are also pants... He must have a vey sad life...

    • Reply posted by justoffside, at 04:00 16 May

      justoffside replied:
      Agreed. It’s very strange. We do seem to attract some unusually vitriolic haters. We have no immediate local rivals in the league currently so could just be Forest or Cov keyboard warriors. Or people still jealous of 2016, maybe? Oh well. We’re a big club now so goes with the territory

  • Comment posted by PsychoPat, at 16:24 15 May

    2 decent wins against relegated opposition.

    • Reply posted by Bazza84, at 16:28 15 May

      Bazza84 replied:
      And?

  • Comment posted by shaun, at 16:03 15 May

    Good to see city finishing the season strong, rebuild in the summer and go again

    • Reply posted by Job Dunne, at 16:53 15 May

      Job Dunne replied:
      Norwich and Watford. Both rubbish and both with nothing to play for.

  • Comment posted by DavidHankey, at 15:59 15 May

    75 goals conceded by the Hornets explains why they are going down. LCFC on the other hand up to 9th.

  • Comment posted by Richard, at 18:57 15 May

    Has Rodgers even given an interview without using the word outstanding at some point?

    • Reply posted by PepperamiofDarkness, at 11:12 16 May

      PepperamiofDarkness replied:
      They showed lots of character.

  • Comment posted by Stephen, at 16:04 15 May

    Just a pity that Rodgers never seemed to play his best available team when the players were available from injury. Probably dropped a dozen points with weakened teams against the likes of Villa, Wolves, Newcastle,Spurs, Saints,Everton...all games they could have got more from.Difference of being in/out of Europe next season.

    • Reply posted by SleepPoster, at 16:08 15 May

      SleepPoster replied:
      Fair point. Although could work to your advantage next season not playing in Europe will.

  • Comment posted by Dad, at 19:21 15 May

    Psst could you ask Jamie vardy...whodunit 😉

  • Comment posted by CeeCeeBee, at 16:02 15 May

    I'm fairly sure Watford would have survived had they not ditched their manager and appointed Hodgeson, although some decisions before that have been ludicrous, letting Will Hughes go for example, class player they should have been building a team around.

    • Reply posted by Frankie Magners, at 18:27 15 May

      Frankie Magners replied:
      No manager would have kept them up this season, squad simply wasn't good enough, Ranieri and Roy couldn't get a tune out of tttm, that should tell you all you need to know.
      Hughes didn't want to stay, not a lot the club can do about that

  • Comment posted by Michael D, at 17:27 15 May

    Xisco, Claudio , Roy. They had no chance with this motley crew,

  • Comment posted by Blessed Abersoch, at 16:36 15 May

    Who’s Davy Jones?? 🤣🤣🤣

    • Reply posted by Knighton Palace, at 16:57 15 May

      Knighton Palace replied:
      Think he is the fella with that locker ?