Jamie Vardy was once again in top form when Leicester City took on Brighton and Hove Albion on Sunday.
Ruud van Nistelrooy knew his team would be up against it when they welcomed Brighton and Hove Albion to the King Power Stadium over the weekend.
Leicester City beat West Ham United 3-1 in the Dutchman’s first game in the dugout but the Seagulls were a much bigger test.
The South Coast outfit are battling at the top end of the Premier League this term and kicked off on Sunday fifth in the division.
As was to be expected, the Foxes were under heavy pressure from the off and found themselves 2-0 down in the 79th minute after goals from Tariq Lamptey and Yankuba Minteh.
However, Jamie Vardy made it 1-1 in the 86th minute before substitute Bobby De Cordova-Reid scored late on, seeing Leicester draw 2-2 with Brighton.
Jamie Vardy of Leicester City celebrates scoring his team's first goal during the Premier League match between Leicester City FC and Brighton &...
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Former Leicester City star Matt Piper sends Jamie Vardy message to Ruud van Nistelrooy
After scoring against the Seagulls on Sunday, an impressive Vardy stat has come to light.
The striker has six goals already in the Premier League in 2024/25, despite his team on the whole struggling.
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Vardy’s excellent form this term is made even more impressive by the fact he is now 37 and will be 38 next month.
Now, speaking to BBC Sport, former Fox Matt Piper has explained to Van Nistelrooy why he still needs to keep playing Vardy, adding that he hopes he will go on to beat Michael Owen’s Premier League goal record.
He said: “To be that unselfish and that calm – in that moment – was huge. It was just deserved for Leicester.
“This is why you still need him in this team. If he is fit, he is the first name on the team sheet. He has all the experience, he is still quick and he can still finish.
“I’m hoping that he will go on to beat Michael Owen’s record [of 150 Premier League goals] this season.
“We call him the GOAT for a reason. We say every season that we need a statue for him. The more he keeps having goal contributions like this, he is only going to make it more definite that his statue is erected soon.”
Ruud van Nistelrooy manager / head coach of Leicester City with Jamie Vardy during the Premier League match between Leicester City FC and West Ham ...
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Ruud van Nistelrooy challenge to Jamie Vardy
As already mentioned, the 27-year-old now has six goals in the top flight this season.
And his goal against Brighton means he has now scored in Leicester’s last two league ties.
Vardy currently holds the record for most consecutive Premier League games scored in, beating the previous tally which was held by his now manager.
After joining the Foxes and linking up with the striker, Van Nistelrooy set Vardy a challenge, which he joked he has to do to make up for breaking his record.
He said: “I said he has to break the record again, then I’ll be able to forgive him!”
Vardy would now need to score in Leicester’s next 10 Premier League fixtures to surpass his own tally of 11.
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