When Jamie Vardy started a love affair with The Hawthorns
A decade on from another pivotal moment in Leicester City’s remarkable Houdini act, it’s time to reflect on that afternoon at The Hawthorns with another excerpt from the Greatest Escape eBook from 2015.
This is a big day for Leicester City. Despite their apparent safety from relegation, it's also a significant occasion for West Bromwich Albion fans at The Hawthorns. It’s Jeff Astle Day, with Albion supporters paying tribute to their legendary centre forward. The current players have even earned special dispensation from the Premier League to wear a one-off kit in honour of the 1968 FA Cup final-winning side, led to victory by Astle.
Roared on by an emotional home crowd, the Baggies start strong, and it's City who find themselves on the back foot. The away fans are treated to a poor defensive moment as Darren Fletcher heads Albion into an early lead - yet another set-piece goal conceded by City’s fragile defence.
David Nugent soon levels the score after Leonardo Ulloa nods down a clever long ball from Esteban Cambiasso. But parity doesn’t last. Craig Gardner restores Albion’s lead and celebrates wildly in front of the loudest home fans, who share the other half of the end behind the goal that’s now seen two West Brom strikes - with over an hour still to play.
At half time, the away end is subdued. City haven’t played well. The midfield is failing to hold the ball, and the strikers are anonymous apart from the brief combination that led to Nugent’s goal.
A change is made at the break: Wasilewski replaces De Laet. But it’s more than a personnel switch - Pearson alters the shape from a 4-2-3-1 to something resembling the 3-4-3 that had previously failed against Hull. This time, though, it works. City start to control possession, and Cambiasso begins to orchestrate play like the most decorated Argentinian footballer of all time.
The formation change also frees Jeff Schlupp from his full-back role, allowing him to push further upfield. City ride their luck when Gardner finds space during a counterattack, but Albion’s talented, exciting, and inconsistent striker Saido Berahino wastes the chance - choosing a tame shot at Schmeichel rather than playing Gardner in.
That turns out to be Albion’s only real chance of the second half, as they increasingly retreat towards their own goal.
With ten minutes to go, City’s pressure finally pays off. Robert Huth heads home from a well-worked short corner between Cambiasso and Albrighton. The away end erupts. 2-2, and a point would be a decent result.
Despite the occasion - home advantage, Jeff Astle Day, and supposedly superior players - Albion start wasting time. Leicester, meanwhile, push for more.
Vardy time
With 90 minutes on the clock, it’s time to talk about Jamie Vardy.
Signed from non-league Fleetwood Town in 2012 for £1 million, Vardy was a gamble. He started his Championship career well but faded, losing confidence. Pearson and his staff had to rebuild him - not just to become a Championship striker, but to believe he would one day light up the Premier League in Leicester blue.
Many had written him off, suggesting a loan to the lower leagues. But Vardy worked harder than ever that summer. He was named in the starting XI for the 2013/14 season opener at Middlesbrough and repaid the faith with a brilliant second-half winner.
Vardy only improved from there, becoming City’s main man up front as they charged toward the title - repeatedly bursting through defences and scoring vital goals.
Flashback to that unforgettable day in September when Manchester United came to town. The score was 3-3 when Ritchie De Laet robbed Mata and charged over halfway. Vardy stood unmarked in the centre. Rooney chased, but couldn’t catch up. Vardy controlled the ball and slotted a cool finish past De Gea. 4-3. That was his Premier League arrival.
West Brom aren’t Manchester United, but this goal could be even more crucial to Leicester’s season.
The moment
The away end holds its breath. The home fans look on in dread. After all the tributes to Jeff Astle, could the winning goal come from the other number nine?
Vardy shrugs off Gareth McAuley on the halfway line near the touchline and races toward goal. Ahead is former England defender Joleon Lescott - once a £22 million signing for Manchester City. You could have bought 22 Jamie Vardys for that.
Vardy doesn’t hesitate. He runs at Lescott, who backs off, wary of being beaten. A subtle feint from Vardy, and he’s past him. He opens up enough space and fires across goal with his weaker foot. Albion keeper Boaz Myhill dives full stretch, but he can’t get there.
The ball arrows toward the corner of the net.
The away end is frozen. Will it ripple?
Let it happen. Let this be the goal they’ve dreamed of on this sunny day in the West Midlands.
It happens.
3-2.
Pandemonium in the away section. Unfiltered joy from the players. Vardy is almost furious with emotion—relief, release, redemption. Seven games to play, five at home. City are now within three points of safety and have a game in hand on everyone else.
At last - real, tangible hope.
