Nugent: Not Been A Bad Week!

The Foxes frontman was in devastating form during Sunday’s 3-1 win over Hull City, completing a ‘perfect’ treble to give Nigel Pearson’s side a fourth win out of four at King Power Stadium.

Nugent slotted City into a seventh-minute lead with his left foot, before heading them back in front on 42 after Jay Simpson’s equaliser. He then capped a brilliant Foxes display with a composed right-footed finish in stoppage time to claim the matchball.

Not bad for a player who ended an 11-game wait for his 100th career goal in the 2-1 win over Burnley last Wednesday.

“It’s not been a bad week!” said the 27-year-old forward, a smile etched across his face and his signed prize tucked safely under his arm.

“I’ve had a few doubles, but good things come to those who wait don’t they? It’s been 11 years! If you’re going to score a hat-trick, do it in the best way!

“I thought everyone played well today – the defence were solid, the midfield were closing people down and me, Vards (Jamie Vardy) and Marshy (Ben Marshall) did our best to stop their three centre-halves.

“I thought we started the game well and had chances to be three or four up in the first 15 minutes, with their ‘keeper making saves and shots being cleared off the line. We deserved to be up at half-time.

“It was a great team performance and I’ve got to thank my team mates for that.”

Few would begrudge Nugent a purple patch. A tireless worker whenever he crosses the white line, he regularly sacrifices personal glory for the cause of the group, which may have been a contributing factor in his recent dry spell in front of goal.

But with four goals in his last two games, the Liverpool-born striker is now a finisher to be feared and is already setting his sights on more goals in Saturday’s trip to Middlesbrough. 

“I’ll never shy away from the ball and if the chances don’t go in I’ll go for the next one,” he said.

“When last season finished, I started counting from the start of this season rather than the games last year. They’re in the past now.

“But I’m not going to shy away; it was 11 games. It’s not 11 games now, though!

“That’s four for the season now in five starts so it’s been going pretty well. Hopefully I can take it into Middlesbrough on Saturday.”