Vardy scores as Leicester fights back to earn draw with Spurs

LEICESTER, England — Jamie Vardy still knows how to score in the Premier League.

The 37-year-old striker rescued a point for Leicester in its return to the English top flight on Monday, by heading home a second-half equalizer in a 1-1 draw against Tottenham, which had largely dominated the first half.

Tottenham had plenty of opportunities to build a bigger lead, but new signing Dominic Solanke was among those guilty of missing chances.

Instead it was Spanish defender Pedro Porro who made Tottenham's early superiority count after 29 minutes, when he got between two Leicester defenders to head James Maddison's cross into the net at the far post.

But Vardy, who was key to Leicester's stunning Premier League title win in 2016, and has remained with the club since then, was left unmarked to head home an equalizer.

A corner count of 9-0 gave some indication of Spurs' dominance in the first half, but Vardy's goal changed the game completely.

Vardy has now scored nine Premier League goals in 17 appearances against Tottenham, which trudged off the pitch wondering how it had failed to demolish Leicester during its dominant first-half display.

Tottenham finished fifth in manager Ange Postecoglou's first season at the helm, following a campaign in which the Australian's commitment to all-out attack was eventually exposed at the cost of Champions League qualification.

Once again, Tottenham was hampered by poor finishing and unfocused defending.

Striker Solanke was especially culpable on his Spurs debut after moving from Bournemouth for a fee that could rise to 65 million pounds ($84 million).

"Disappointing night for us. First half was excellent and we controlled the game, but were wasteful in front of goal. Once Leicester scored, the crowd lifted, and we lost our composure," Postecoglou said.

"It was an issue we had last year as well. We need to keep working hard and be a bit more ruthless in front of goal. At times, we made poor decisions.

"The dominance is great, but if you don't score it is meaningless. We have to be stronger in our mindset in the front third. To be that wasteful is disappointing. We just weren't clinical."

After Vardy's goal, Steve Cooper's team suddenly looked a lot more lively, and both teams had chances to win in a busy last half hour.

Vardy spurned a good chance for a second in the 70th minute, when he was able to run clear on goal.

However, his low shot was saved by Guglielmo Vicario. At the other end, deep into injury time, Richarlison sent a header wide with the last chance of the match.

Amid reports the Foxes could face a points deduction for breaking financial rules, new boss Cooper needs to hit the ground running if they are to avoid relegation, and this gritty display was an encouraging start.

"I was as fit as a fiddle until I got to about 65 minutes, if I'm honest!" Vardy said afterward.

"Tottenham are a really good team, but we gave them too much respect.

"We started going after them and it changed the momentum.

"When we are at the top of our game, we can give anyone a run for their money."

Agencies