A Big Win, Says Vardy

LCFC Men
06 Mar 2024
2 Minutes
Jamie Vardy hailed the importance of Leicester City's 1-0 win at Sunderland on Tuesday, which kept the Foxes three points clear at the top of the Sky Bet Championship table.

- Leicester City sealed a 1-0 victory over Sunderland at the Stadium of Light on Tuesday
- Jamie Vardy's 13th goal of the season, in the 13th minute, was the difference
- The iconic No.9 explained the significance of the win at full-time

In the 13th minute, Vardy's header put City ahead at the Stadium and Light and it remained 1-0 throughout to end a run of three successive league defeats. Leicester are also still five points ahead of third in the second tier standings.

"It’s big," Vardy said afterwards. "It’s the first time this season we’ve had three defeats in a row, so it was important to bounce back and we’ve done that here tonight. We’ve put a shift in and we’ve had to dig in deep in that second half.

"I don’t know if [losing three games in a row] was a confidence thing, it was more that we’ve not been used to it. The gaffer always says that we need to remain that this was a new project at the start of the season.

"To be in the position that we’re in, with how we work on the training field and then transfer that into games, it’s been good. We’ve had a little blip and we just want to keep getting those wins.

"It's not happened in the previous weeks, but we’ve got one tonight and now it’s all about recovering and getting ready for Hull on Saturday."

Vardy's 13th goal of the season was ultimately the winner in the North East and he went on to offer an insight into the goal.

"It’s just getting connection and, nine times out of 10, you’re bracing yourself to get clattered by the defender," he added.

"When it’s like that and it’s coming that way, you have to obviously head it back to where the ‘keeper’s come from and, as soon as I’ve done that, I’ve watch it just loop in."

He has an impressive record against the Black Cats but the 37-year-old doesn't mind who he scores against, so long as he nets.

"I like playing against everyone as long as I’m playing football," the No.9 explained. "Obviously, being a striker, that’s what you want to be doing. You want to be scoring goals and, fortunately, I’ve managed to get the winner tonight."

Taken off late on, Vardy also detailed the importance of the players on the bench as Leicester held on for the points.

"I’m horrible when I’m sat in that dugout!" the forward said. "You want to be on the pitch, but you’re still there. You’re being as vocal as you can, you’re trying to get the lads going. If we’re a bit deep, you’re trying to push them up.

"You’re still shouting, you’re still feeling like you’re involved. That’s from every one of the lads. It’s a close-knit group and it’s good that the voices are not only out there. They’re on the bench as well and it just keeps everyone going."