JAMIE VARDY surpassed Lionel Messi with his hat-trick against Manchester City.
The Leicester supremo struck three times in a 5-2 win at the Etihad.
Jamie Vardy has become the first player to score an away-day hat-trick against Pep GuardiolaCredit: Getty Images – Getty
The Man City boss was stunned as Leicester won 5-2 at the EtihadCredit: AFP or Licensors
It was the first time a Pep Guardiola side has ever conceded five goals.
And Vardy’s stunning performance made him the first-ever footballer to score an away-day treble against a team managed by Pep.
Legendary Barcelona forward Lionel Messi has never managed that.
He does have a hat-trick against City during Guardiola’s Etihad tenure.
But those goals came at the Nou Camp in 2016 when Barcelona beat City 4-0 in the Champions League group stage.
Vardy is no stranger to scoring three times in a single game against Guardiola’s City too.
He netted a trio in Leicester’s 4-2 win in 2016 at the King Power stadium – with the Foxes recording just 22 per cent possession that day.
But Sunday’s effort was the first time Vardy – or anyone for that matter – had hit three against Guardiola with the tactician playing at home.
Barcelona ace Lionel Messi hit three against Pep’s City in 2016 at the Nou CampCredit: Reuters
Reflecting on his match-winning performance, Vardy told Sky Sports: “We have set up to infuriate them and it has worked a treat.
“We knew if we stuck to our plan we would get some chances. I always want to improve. I am hoping I am doing that.”
He added to BBC Sport: “It was a great result. We tweaked it tactically today and knowing when we got the ball and played through their press we would get a few chances and we stuck them all away.
“We just had to keep believing. The main thing was getting the three points and we have done that with a great performance.
“It’s only the start though, we have to keep going and show that consistently.
“It’s only a start. The way we finished last season was not good enough so we have to keep it going now.”
Jamie Vardy signs new Leicester deal until 2023 keeping him at Foxes until he is 36
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
