Record breaker

Jamie Vardy breaks Ruud van Nistelrooy’s record but it wasn’t enough to get the three points against Manchester United.

The Dutchman took to social media to personally congratulate Vardy saying: “You’re number one now and you deserved it.”

The England striker put the Foxes ahead midway through the first half when he was played in by an excellent through ball from Christian Fuchs, before calmly slotting the ball past David De Gea.

It was set up to be the dream scenario for Vardy, breaking the record against van Nistelrooy’s former club. His run of scoring in 11 consecutive games actually included 13 goals and this takes him to 14 for the season, beating Tony Cottee’s club record to become Leicester’s highest goal scorer in a Premier League season.

Although Leicester may be disappointed not to win the game it was a resilient performance from the team against a strong Manchester United side.

The game wasn’t anywhere near as entertaining as this fixture last season but it looked like the Foxes may have been heading into the break a goal ahead. A set piece on the stroke of half-time gave the visitors an opportunity however and Bastian Schweinsteiger was allowed a free run at goal to head the ball past Kasper Schmeichel.

There weren’t a great deal of clear-cut chances in the game but it was Claudio Ranieri’s side that had the better opportunities to take the lead again. Vardy could have grabbed a second but Marc Albrighton’s cross was just too high and Leonardo Ulloa spurned an excellent chance but made light work for De Gea.

A share of the points ensures the Red Devils are still a point behind the Foxes but Manchester City have moved to the top of the table on goal difference.

This shouldn’t concern Leicester too much as it is another point towards their initial target of 40 points, meaning they now need just 11 to reach their objective.

Leicester now face Swansea away in the next fixture and with the pressure of the record now lifted, Vardy can aim to extend his run even further.

One thing to take note from this game and something which England boss Roy Hodgson should pay close attention to is the difference between Vardy and Wayne Rooney. It was a total contrast with Rooney looking uninterested and even resorting to diving at one point in the first period.

The debate regarding England strikers will continue to go on with many saying it should be Vardy and Harry Kane in the middle for the national side. The decision is with Hodgson however and with the Euros on the horizon it will be interesting to see whether he is brave enough to drop his out-of-form captain.