Hard Work Paying Off For Vardy

- Jamie Vardy says Leicester City's blistering recent run of form is reward for their hard work

- The Foxes overcame bottom side Sunderland 2-0 to make it six wins in a row in all competitions

- Vardy scored City's second on the night after Islam Slimani's opener on Filbert Way on Tuesday

- The City forward also heaps praise on Marc Albrighton after a brilliant brief cameo as a sub

Jamie Vardy was delighted to see Leicester City’s hard work pay off yet again on Tuesday night with the being their sixth consecutive victory in all competitions. 

With just eight matches remaining of the 2016/17 Premier League campaign, the Foxes sit in the top half of the table for the first time since September and could climb even further with a positive return from Sunday’s trip to Merseyside to face Everton (4pm kick-off). 

On Tuesday night, goals from Islam Slimani and Vardy were enough for City to see off the Black Cats at King Power Stadium but the 30-year-old says it was a tough match which required Craig Shakespeare’s men to wait patiently for an opening in front of goal. 

“We’re playing well at the minute and we’ve picked up the points tonight,” the England striker said. “It was a scrappy game but we knew it was going to be tough. I scored with my left foot as well. I was very surprised when it went in a straight line!” 

Vardy was also pleased for Marc Albrighton after he returned from illness to make two assists in the space of nine minutes: “He’s come back in, come on and you’ve seen the energy he has. His cross was perfect and right into my path, I took one touch and put it in the top corner. 

Leicester’s high-pressing game has reaped its due rewards in recent weeks and Vardy says their current form, level with a Club-record five consecutive Premier League wins, is down to their hard work in training. 

He added: “That’s what we’re about, we like to be on the front foot and press as high up as possible. If we win the ball back in their half, we’re straight onto their defenders which can only benefit us. Especially if we’re through on goal - instead of working from 70 yards, we’re only 30 away.”