Jamie Vardy breaks Premier League record

Agencies, K24

LEICESTER, England — Barclays Premier League club Leicester City have had an amazing season so far, and it just got better for them after striker Jamie Vardy made Premier League history on Saturday by scoring in 11 consecutive games.

Vardy opening the scoring against Manchester United in his team’s 1-1 draw, surpassing former Manchester United striker Ruud van Nistelrooy’s record of scoring in 10 consecutive league games.

It is an incredible achievement for a player whose team were almost relegated from the league last season, spending months at the bottom of the table. After a remarkable run of games, Leicester City were able to avoid relegation.

A season later, and Leicester are now joint top of the Premier League, with Vardy playing a huge role in that. The Englishman has scored 14 goals already, putting him above the rest of the players in the league on the goalscoring chart.

Vardy expressed his delight at breaking the record, but said he wasn’t consumed by thoughts of achieving it before the match against Manchester United.

“The record was not in my mind, it would have affected my performance and the team’s, and that’s the last thing I wanted to do,” Vardy said. “I can think about it when I am home but as soon as I cross the white line all I should be concentrating on is my football.”

Leicester manager Claudio Ranieri reserved praise for the player and shared some encouraging words for his star striker after he broke the 12 year record.

“We had two objectives—to win the match and try to help Vardy break the record,” he said. “Jamie made the record, it is fantastic for us. Five years ago he played non-league, it is difficult to grow up so quickly and this fantastic man is not only our goalscorer but he presses, he works hard, he is important.”

Leicester City’s next match is away to Swansea City before they host defending Premier League Champions Chelsea at the King Power Stadium on December 14.