/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/63215058/1134715638.jpg.0.jpg)
Jamie Vardy and the Leicester City Foxes took down Claudio Ranieri’s Scott Parker’s Fulham 3-1 at the King Power. City was comfortably in charge for most of the game, but a brief spell saw Fulham equalize and even push for more. A landmark moment for Vardy, however, sealed it for City.
Kasper Schmeichel - 6.5
Had very little to do for most of the match as Fulham had just three shots on target. Thankfully there was no game-altering giveaway, unlike against Watford. He even hit Chilwell in stride with a perfect long ball on one occasion.
Ricardo Pereira - 7
Not at his potent best, but still productive. He tallied two key passes, three successful dribbles, three interceptions, and two clearances.
Jonny Evans - 7.5
It wasn’t the busiest of days for him, but he was effective when called upon. He registered one tackle, three interceptions, and six clearances.
Harry Maguire - 7.5
Had almost identical statistical contributions in defense as Evans (the difference being one less interception), but was slightly more involved in possession as he attempted and completed more passes.
Ben Chilwell - 6.5
Made a crucial mistake by misjudging a long ball and allowing Floyd Ayite to get in behind him for his goal. Mostly a standard day for Chilwell outside of that error, however. He finished the game with four tackles and three key passes.
Wilfred Ndidi - 8.5
Was at his absolute best in the first half. Not quite as imposing in the second, but still a remarkable day for the midfield destroyer. He was successful on all nine of his tackles and completed 85 percent of his passes as a bonus. His signature moment in the game came when he won the ball in midfield and set Vardy free with a pass before the striker’s assist on the opening goal.
Youri Tielemans - 7.5
Was extremely lively in the first half as he ventured forward frequently and threatened. He shot five times in the game (the most of any player) and put three on target. He scored an empty net goal where he showed good composer to shake past the last defender after Vardy played him through. Once again subbed off just after the 70 minute mark.
Youri #LeiFul pic.twitter.com/DRPYcvD309
— Leicester City (@LCFC) March 9, 2019
James Maddison - 7.5
Led the game with three key passes (shocker, I know) and got an assist by intercepting the ball in the middle of the pitch and immediately playing a perfectly weighted pass into the box for Jamie Vardy.
Demarai Gray - 5.5
The least involved member of the Foxes’ attack on the day. He was marked well by Joe Bryan and resorted to dropping deep to get touches on the ball. He was also dispossessed on five occasions.
Harvey Barnes - 8
Appeared in flashes rather than the consistent threat he has been in previous games, but was threatening in each of those flashes. He forced a hugely impressive save out of Sergio Rico with a curling shot, completed two key passes, and provided the assist on Vardy’s final goal after a strong run.
Jamie Vardy - 10
Was just an unstoppable force on the day. He needed two goals to officially reach the 100 mark for Leicester City and looked like he would get the first of the two in the 21st minute, only to lay a pass off to Tielemans instead. He would get his two goals later, however, with a clinical finish from a somewhat tight angle with his right foot, and later a perfectly placed first time shot with his left foot into the bottom corner of the net.
:no_upscale()/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_asset/file/15949928/1134717258.jpg.jpg)
Shinji Okazaki - 6.5
Came on in a double change in the 71st minute with City looking for goals. He came agonizingly close to scoring on one occasion and ran hard the rest of the time he was on the pitch, but didn’t get on the ball too often.
Rachid Ghezzal - 6.5
Subbed on alongside Okazaki but was slightly more involved. He didn’t have a big moment like Okazaki’s shot on target, but he was subtly effective with his simple dribbling and passing.
Nampalys Mendy - 6
Came on for Madders in the 80th minute after the Foxes had retaken the lead. Completed two tackles in his time on the pitch.
*all stats courtesy of whoscored.com
With the season winding down and little more than positioning in table left to fight for, Leicester City took care of business and earned three home points. There is still an outside shot (the Foxes are familiar with those) at European qualification and these three points paired with the other results from the weekend will aide in that chase.
The day was about one man, though, and that was Jamie Vardy. Leicester City’s leading man exploded back into form with an assist and two goals, one of which was the historic 100th of his career with the Foxes.
goals for Leicester City Football Club.
— Leicester City (@LCFC) March 9, 2019
Just another chapter in the incredible Jamie Vardy story…#Vardy100 pic.twitter.com/FxIyGSWMHa
Of course this means Jamie Vardy was the Fosse Posse Man of the Match. This wasn’t just some symbolic gesture because of the landmark moment, either, as he was genuinely unstoppable. Wilfred Ndidi’s midfield dominance would have been good enough to earn MOTM on almost any other day, but Vardy’s clinic in the final third was the difference maker.