Leicester City manager Claude Puel is delighted with Jamie Vardy’s contribution. Photo: AFP
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https://scmp.com/sport/soccer/article/2117546/new-leicester-boss-claude-puel-perfect-start-jamie-vardyignites-victory Football
New Leicester boss Claude Puel off to perfect start as Jamie Vardyignites victory over Everton
Leicester’s third win of the campaign lifts them to the relative safety of 11th in the table, while Everton are mired in the relegation zone
Jamie Vardy bangs the ball in the net to set Leicester City on their way to a 2-0 win over Everton. Photo: Reuters
Jamie Vardy gave Claude Puel the perfect start to his Leicester City reign on Sunday as the former Premier league champions returned to their counter-attacking best, brushing aside managerless Everton 2-0.
In a throwback to their 2015-16 title-winning season, Leicester caused problems for the visitors from the start, breaking with pace and purpose as Demarai Gray proved a real handful for the struggling Merseyside team.
Despite a poor start to the season that cost Craig Shakespeare his job, Leicester’s third win of the campaign lifts them to the relative safety of 11th in the table, while Everton, who parted company with Ronald Koeman last week, are mired in the relegation zone.
“It was more difficult in the second half because Everton are good. But I saw a team with a good attitude and good structure and solidarity.
“I want to say thanks to our fantastic fans for their warm welcome. It was a day that was perfect but it’s just the beginning I hope of something.”
Leicester City’s Demarai Gray, who scored the second goal, competes with Everton’s Tom Davies. Photo: Reuters
Mahrez crossed for Vardy to blast into the roof of the net, sending the King Power Stadium into raptures.
The rampant hosts were 2-0 up 11 minutes later when Jonjoe Kenny sliced Gray’s effort from the left into the far corner of his own net past the helpless Jordan Pickford.
It initially appeared to be an own goal but was awarded to Gray, who has struggled to pin down a first-team place, following a review.
Leicester City’s Kasper Schmeichel makes a save. Photo: Reuters
Everton’s caretaker boss David Unsworth said: “I went with the best team to try to win. The first half wasn’t acceptable, but the second half we didn’t get the rewards that our dominance justified.
“Whoever gets the honour of being Everton boss, including me, needs time with this set of players.”
Earlier, Brighton and Hove Albion recovered from conceding an early goal to draw 1-1 with Southampton in a dull clash of south-coast rivals, a result that leaves both clubs in mid table.
Southampton took the lead in the seventh minute when Steven Davis pounced after a brilliant free-kick from James Ward-Prowse came back off the woodwork.
Newly promoted Brighton levelled soon after the break when Glenn Murray headed in a Pascal Gross cross from the right at the back post.