Leicester City Clinches Championship Title: Jamie Vardy’s Double Leads Foxes To 3-0 Victory
Leicester City secured the Championship title in style with a resounding 3-0 victory over Preston North End, thanks to Jamie Vardy’s brace and a goal from Kasey McAteer.
After Kasey McAteer added a third goal to cap off an incredible victory for Enzo Maresca’s team, Leicester’s No. 9 started the celebration with goals just after halftime.
After the final day game against Blackburn at King Power Stadium on Saturday, which will decide whether or not the Foxes score 100 points, there were joyous scenes for Maresca, his staff, and his players as the full-time whistle blew. These players will also collect the Championship trophy.
It also means that Maresca, who finished second in the Championship behind Vincent Kompany’s Burnley, is the second-tier winner led by a disciple of Pep Guardiola for the second consecutive season.
Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall, James Justin, Mads Hermansen, and Stephy Mavididi were given the night off as Enzo Maresca made four changes from his starting lineup with Leicester only three points away from completing their mission in the second tier.
And rather than beginning like an end-of-season classic, the match began like a pre-season friendly with Preston in tenth place and nothing concrete to play for.
Vardy almost put his team ahead, but Freddie Woodman equalized his close-range attempt as the Foxes controlled. McAteer, who was a few yards out, missed an even better opportunity to end the tie.
After a flawless team move out of the back, which saw Wilfried N’Didi feed Abdul Fatawu down the right, Leicester finally seized the lead on 36 minutes. After finding Yunus Akgun in the box, the striker squared up to Vardy, who gave the Championship leaders a well-earned first goal by scuffing the ball in off the post.
Vardy only needed seven minutes of the second half to extend his goal total and Leicester’s lead. Wout Faes raced around the box this time and crashed a shot off the post. Vardy was in the right place to smash the ball into the net’s roof when the rebound fell to him.
Vardy was passed through on goal, but Woodman stopped him from scoring a hat-trick. Rather, McAteer scored the third goal by heading in a cross from Fatawu. He couldn’t miss this time.
Fatawu almost joined in, but he smashed into the post after a late drive. On the other hand, it took Preston 92 minutes to get their first shot on goal.
Only one team was on the field that evening, and that squad was the only one that continued to celebrate well into the April night following the end of play.
Also Read: List of Top 10 Richest Footballers in the World 2024: Net Worth, Salary, Career and Everything
Enzo Maresca, Manager of Leicester On The Win
“What a great season it’s been, wonderful. A challenging season. It’s a hard and demanding season in the Championship, but I’m thrilled.
“Now it’s time to enjoy the effort of the season to bring this unique club back to the Premier League. We’re worthy of it.I was a little bit terrified [when the players were hoisting him up and down on the pitch] but when they came to my house the other day [after gaining promotion], it demonstrated how great they are.
“They have been outstanding the past two days. We were promoted, but the preparation for the game was challenging. But we spent the morning and afternoon of today getting ready for the game. It was excellent.
“As I repeatedly stated, the noise was coming from outside. We anticipated giving up ground and losing; a game is not always won.”
Regarding the upcoming season and what life would be like in the Premier League: “I was planning this game, not next week. To determine what’s best for the club, we will consult with it.
“As I have stated numerous times, Jamie Vardy will always and forever score goals in his life. We are content right now and will search for the best course of action.”We can win 32 games and accumulate 100 points, which is more than I ever imagined. We will feel good about ourselves with our fans on Saturday.”
The striker Jamie Vardy of Leicester on the Win
“We are ecstatic. Although we knew it could have gone the other way, it was our goal at the beginning of the season. The goalie has arrived and instructed us on how to play. At this point, we should pay attention to the supporters.
It has progressed rapidly, but it’s a laborious task with few days off—I won’t tell you that for nothing. It’s the same in training as it is when we play. full speed ahead. I’m really happy that 5,000 of our fans came out to support us tonight. They are really large; it won’t take them twenty minutes to travel there, and they will still be present to rejoice.
“We may enjoy it tonight, but we now have 100 points as our next goal. On Saturday, when we celebrate with all of the supporters, we repeat that.
“Even the young lads, people like Hamza (Choudhury) there are more experienced than they’re given credit for.”The initial aim was my career’s greatest and worst professional connection. They can enter as long as they’re aimed correctly. I followed the second one in as it occurred to me. I could not possibly be missing it.
I might not return [in the upcoming season]! In my own experience, I feel new. I take care of myself. Fortunately, I have room in my home for all I need for my recuperation. I complete everything at home after training. I will gladly spend an hour using an iPad in my cryotherapy chamber.
“My legs feel good, but I’m not ready to hang up the boots just yet. We’ll see what happens, but I feel fitter than ever.
“What a huge club this is. I will not back down from it. When they signed me, they made a huge gamble. a player not in the League. I took some time to get used to it. In my second season, we clicked like a house on fire, even though my first season was difficult for me. The objectives began to flow.”