Leicester City striker Jamie Vardy can make history for the second weekend running when the Premier League’s early-season over-achievers visit slip-sliding Swansea City on Saturday.
Leicester City striker Jamie Vardy can make history for the second weekend running when the Premier League’s early-season over-achievers visit slip-sliding Swansea City on Saturday.
Vardy’s goal in the 1-1 draw against Manchester United saw him set a new Premier League record of scoring in 11 consecutive matches, eclipsing the mark set by United old boy Ruud van Nistelrooy in 2003.
Should he score at Swansea, Vardy will equal an even more historic mark: Jimmy Dunne’s English top-flight record from 1931-32 of scoring in 12 successive games for Sheffield United.
But the England striker has played down the significance of the new milestone, telling Sky Sports: “I just have my eyes on helping Leicester get three points at the weekend.
“If someone else gets the winning goal, then I am more than happy.”
While Leicester go into the weekend level on points with leaders Manchester City, Swansea are just four points above the relegation zone following a run of one win in 10 matches.
It has led to speculation about the future of manager Garry Monk, who knows that his side’s ability to contain former non-league player Vardy could be a determining factor in the outcome of the match.
“We obviously have experience of coming up through the leagues and we have players that have come through to this level,” Monk told his pre-match press conference.
“Our club will appreciate a story like that, but it’s our job to maybe put an end to that story.”
Manchester City have an opportunity to put pressure on the chasing pack as they visit Stoke City, their fellow League Cup semi-finalists, in the Saturday lunchtime fixture.
With progress assured in both the League Cup and the Champions League, Manuel Pellegrini’s side can plough all their resources into the league campaign ahead of a sequence of six matches in 24 days.
Third-place Manchester United could be forgiven for having their thoughts elsewhere as they gear up for Saturday’s home game against West Ham United.
On Tuesday they visit Wolfsburg for a match they are likely to have to win to secure a place in the Champions League last 16, leaving manager Louis van Gaal with a dilemma over who to select for the visit of West Ham.
But injuries have already forced his hand, with Phil Jones, Marcos Rojo, Jesse Lingard and Ander Herrera all doubtful, while Luke Shaw and Antonio Valencia are long-term absentees.
Another manager ruing a long injury list is Arsenal’s Arsene Wenger, who will be without star forward Alexis Sanchez and midfielder Santi Cazorla — to name but two players — for the home game with Sunderland.
