Jamie Vardy scores the first goal for Leicester City to equal the record for scoring in consecutive Premier League games. (Reuters)


AFP/Newcastle


Leicester City striker Jamie Vardy equalled former Manchester United forward Ruud van Nistelrooy’s record of scoring in 10 consecutive English Premier League games when he netted in the 3-0 win at Newcastle United yesterday.
England international Vardy struck in first-half stoppage-time at St James’ Park to equal the mark.
Dutch striker van Nistelrooy’s streak was spread over two seasons, starting against Fulham on March 22, 2003 and ending against Newcastle on August 23, 2003, with eight goals coming in the 2002/03 campaign and two in 2003/04.
By contrast, all of Vardy’s goals in consecutive Leicester games have come this season, starting on August 29 against Bournemouth. Van Nistelrooy was quick to congratulate Vardy as he took to Twitter to write: “Records are there to be broken. Go on @vardy7, all the best and good luck!”
Vardy admitted equalling the record in another win for high-flying Leicester made it a perfect day. He also gave credit to the club’s medical staff, who ensured he was fit enough to play after missing England’s recent friendlies with a hip injury.
“I have matched Ruud van Nistelrooy’s record and we have got the three points and clean sheet,” he said. “The physios have done brilliantly to get me fit today. We know we can cause teams problems and are solid at the back too. We have a never say die attitude and will fight for each other until the end.”
The 28-year-old Vardy, who only scored four league goals last season, cut inside Moussa Sissoko to give Leicester a 1-0 lead. Vardy has now scored 13 league goals so far this season and fittingly he can move ahead of van Nistelrooy when United visit the King Power Stadium next weekend.
“People kept sending his tweet to me, fair play to him for doing that. We’ll see what happens next week now against Manchester United,” Vardy added.
Leicester manager Claudio Ranieri added: “It is good for Jamie Vardy and everybody. He is very confident and the team-mates believe something can happen when he gets the ball.
“I also had Gabriel Batistuta score in 11 consecutive matches, but Jamie came from the non-league and he looks very confident,”  he said.
Vardy is still short of all the time English top-flight record for goals in an unbroken run of 12 club matches set by the late Jimmy Dunne of Sheffield United in the old First Division in the 1931/32 season.
Stan Mortensen scored in 15 consecutive First Division appearances for Blackpool in 1950/51, but they were not consecutive games for his club, with Mortensen having two breaks for injuries during the run.