Jamie Vardy: Leicester City striker says he has to pinch himself

Leicester were bottom of the table in April, but seven months on, led by goals from prolific striker Jamie Vardy, they have lost only one of their first 13 league matches.

Ahead of the win over Newcastle, former Manchester United striker Van Nistelrooy had taken to social media to wish Vardy good luck in pursuit of his record, but Vardy was keeping his feet on the ground after putting his name alongside the Dutchman in the history books.

Dutch striker van Nistelrooy’s streak was spread over two seasons, starting against Fulham on March 22, 2003 and ending against Newcastle on August 23, 2003, with eight goals coming in the 2002/03 campaign and two in 2003/04.

It’s possible not even the wolly’s brolly could could help Newcastle and the slippery path they’re on right now, as they sit one place above the drop zone.

Vardy now has 13 goals this season – making him the division’s top goalscorer – but sat out England’s two friendlies last week with a tight groin.

Leonardo Ulloa laid on Vardy’s record-equalling effort before heading home himself and Japan forward Shinji Okazaki came off the bench to wrap up the points.

“In the last five or six games we had seen progression, I said we were going to get setbacks on the way before we get consistency and today was a flawless example of that”.

“Sometimes players like Vardy can be a little bit exposed, because you think about him running in behind”.

“I’m very proud, because the players play like a team, suffer, run, and play good football”, Ranieri said.

“Second best in everything that we did from the beginning and congratulations to Leicester. They were far better than us on the day – most disappointing performance since we got here”.

“He struggled at first with the step up to the Championship but, with hard work he made it, and now he is in the form of his life. But I want to see us there at the end of the race”.

While Vardy showed his humble side after the game, Foxes boss Claudio Ranieri was happy to heap praise on the England worldwide. “Consistency is one; at the moment we’ve not got that”. “The more we can do that, the better”.

Also, Everton beat Aston Villa 4-0 courtesy of doubles from Ross Barkley and Romelu Lukaku, who became the fifth player – after Michael Owen, Robbie Fowler, Wayne Rooney and Cristiano Ronaldo – to reach 50 top-flight goals before the age of 23.

Swansea City and Bournemouth shared four goals in a 2-2 draw at the Liberty Stadium.