LEICESTER, ENGLAND - DECEMBER 08: Jamie Vardy of Leicester City celebrates scoring his team's first goal during the Premier League match between Leicester City FC and Brighton & Hove Albion FC at The King Power Stadium on December 08, 2024 in Leicester, England. (Photo by Michael Regan/Getty Images)
Jamie Vardy inspired Leicester to a comeback against Brighton on Sunday
Jamie Vardy hit a new landmark on Sunday when he became the second-oldest player to both score and assist a goal in a single Premier League match.
Vardy inspired Leicester to an incredible comeback against Brighton at the King Power Stadium. The Foxes had fallen two goals down to the Seagulls after strikes from Tariq Lamptey and Yankuba Minteh.
The visitors looked set to have claimed all three points with only four minutes to go when Vardy sparked Leicester into life. First, he latched on to James Justin's deflected cross to slot across visiting keeper Bart Verbruggen.
Then in the first minute of added time, Vardy showed brilliant awareness to square the ball to Bobby De Cordova-Reid to tap home the equaliser, having fooled the Brighton defence into thinking he would shoot.
[
Jim Ratcliffe's 7 brutal Man Utd calls as Dan Ashworth follows Sir Alex Ferguson and Erik ten Hag](https://www.mirror.co.uk/sport/football/news/jim-ratcliffe-manutd-ashworth-exit-34275421)
His actions ensured Ruud van Nistelrooy maintained his unbeaten start as manager, with Leicester now five points clear of the relegation places. It also means that Vardy is the second-oldest player in Premier League history to both score and assist a goal in a single match.
Vardy achieved the feat aged 37 years and 332 days, just behind Manchester United legend Ryan Giggs who did the same against Fulham in December 2011 at the age of 38 years and 22 days.
Van Nistelrooy was left in no doubt that Vardy remains Leicester's key man. He hailed the veteran striker for his performance, though he did reserve praise for the rest of his team.
HAVE YOUR SAY! Will Leicester avoid relegation this season? Comment below.
LEICESTER, ENGLAND - DECEMBER 03: Ruud van Nistelrooy manager / head coach of Leicester City celebrates with Jamie Vardy during the Premier League match between Leicester City FC and West Ham United FC at The King Power Stadium on December 03, 2024 in Leicester, England. (Photo by Marc Atkins/Getty Images)
Foxes boss Ruud van Nistelrooy is under no illusion as to how important Vardy is
"If you are on the scoresheet and make an assist, then you have to say this result would not be possible without him. It's also the performance of the whole team, of course, that puts him in position," he told Match of the Day.
"I enjoyed the whole sequence leading up to the goal and that's why, we as a team, we put him in a position there. That's why we want these players who can make the difference for us in position. Then Jamie had the awareness for that second goal.
"I think you know with strikers, their eyes are focused on the goals. To have the awareness to play the path to Bobby, pretty good skill, that was a brilliant moment, because so late in the game, 90th minute, on the top of my head.
"And when you have the calmness and the composure to decide on these things, then that's absolute top class. We're happy that we have that. If you don't pass it, you have to score. I think he made sure that we were going to get that goal."
"I think I liked the second half a lot. The way we played, we deserved the point. I think. I'm pleased with the character and spirit and approach of the game. That is what the team showed that character and it was rewarded today."
Join our new WhatsApp community and receive your daily dose of Mirror Football content. We also treat our community members to special offers, promotions, and adverts from us and our partners. If you don't like our community, you can check out any time you like. If you're curious, you can read our Privacy Notice.