Dean Smith Manager
Jamie Vardy will keep scoring if Leicester City keep creating chances for him, manager Dean Smith guaranteed after the number nine ended his Premier League goal drought at Leeds. Vardy netted 10 minutes from time at Elland Road to earn City a point against their relegation rivals. The 36-year-old had been brought into the game as a substitute, latching onto James Maddison’s through ball and netting in the Premier League for the first time since October. He put the ball in again moments later, but that time it was ruled out for offside.
Kelechi Iheanacho, who started the game up front, injured himself in the move for the goal, and if he is now out, Vardy could become the man Smith backs to lead the line for the final five games. Discussing his goal after game,
Dean Smith said: “We needed somebody who was going to run into the spaces behind them. There was some really good football in the build-up, with Kel when he got injured, and Madders as well. It was a really good finish. He made two good runs like that on Saturday. It’s nice to see him score, which he hasn’t done for a while. I’m really pleased. I’m disappointed the second one got ruled out for offside. If that goes in, he would have won the game. The chance he scored today, we’ve seen him take loads of those. If we can keep creating chances like that, he will take them. (Strikers) know they’re judged by goals. It’s not been the most fruitful of seasons for him. The penalty on Saturday and the goal tonight are as important as they come. Who knows, he could end up with eight goals by the end of the season.”
Vardy’s goal was deserved for City for the way they pushed in the second half, but they could have lost it at the end as well after conceding a series of chances from corners in the final few minutes.
Dean Smith said: “It was a topsy-turvy game. I thought we started well. We were unfortunate that Youri’s goal got ruled out. We dominated for the first 18 minutes. They scored against the run of play. It was sloppy from us, we didn’t get into the right positions early enough and force the ball backwards. They get a cheap cross in and score. The game became frantic then and end to end. I spoke to the players at half-time about getting control back. We did that. The substitutions made a difference and helped us penetrate. In the end, I feel a tad disappointed we haven’t gone away with all three points, but also know we could have lost it with the set-piece efforts they had. I thought we showed a lot of character. I was pleased with the control we had for long periods in the game. I thought we showed good composure. We can’t give chances away like we did from set-pieces.”
