Ranieri Hails His 'Unbelievable' Foxes

- Jamie Vardy scores both goals in a victory that keeps Leicester City three points clear at the top of the Barclays Premier League 

- Ranieri praises Vardy’s opening strike, which was a sensational dipping half volley from 30 yards 

- Next up for Leicester is a trip to second placed Manchester City on Saturday 

After Jamie Vardy’s stunning brace kept Leicester City flying high at the top of the Barclays Premier League on Tuesday night, Claudio Ranieri was bursting with praise for his team. 

The striker’s 17th and 18th goals of the season gave the Foxes a 2-0 victory over Liverpool in front of a delirious King Power Stadium crowd, and kept them three clear of second placed Manchester City. 

After an energetic but goalless first half, England man Vardy blew the game open with a goal of the season contender – a dipping half volley from 30 yards that caught Simon Mignolet off his line. 

Vardy then added a second with another finish into the top corner, this time from close range, to ensure Ranieri’s side of victory, and speaking afterwards, the manager was understandably thrilled. 

“We have to think about what a great performance we did,” said Ranieri. “It was amazing because we beat a very good team, very well organised. [Jurgen] Klopp has made a fantastic job so far and I am sure next season it will be much better. 

“But I want to say we made a fantastic performance tonight. We pressed everywhere and we didn’t give the Liverpool players the time to think. They were very dangerous on the counter attack and had a great chance at the beginning of the second half. 

“I don’t know why we didn’t restart in the second half well and concentrated, but after their chance we restarted and scored a fantastic goal.” 

And what a goal it was. Riyad Mahrez was once again the provider as Vardy put his right foot through a shot that will go down as one of the greatest ever seen inside King Power Stadium. 

Ranieri added: “The pass from Mahrez was unbelievable and it was unbelievable what Vardy did. He watched the ball arrive, watched the opponent and watched the goalkeeper. 

“He saw him out of the goal and shot, it was amazing, unbelievable, fantastic. This opened the match up. We continued to press and were solid behind. It was a very good performance and I am very pleased with my players. 

“Now it is one month since he (Vardy) restarted training [after his operation]. Before he didn’t train well and played without training. It is not easy. He continued to score but slowly he started to go down. Now he is fresh and is a new Vardy. He presses a lot, works very hard and scored a goal.”