Leicester fans would be forgiven for still being haunted by the nightmare of their team’s top four collapse last season.
Brendan Rodgers’ men looked on to secure their place in the Champions League and looked like the most likely contenders for Liverpool against the Premier League crown at one point, although a number of important injuries and suspensions at the end of the campaign saw them fall apart.
A final day defeat against Manchester United ensured that they would play in the Europa League this season rather than the Champions League, but after strengthening in the summer transfer window, they saw good value in improving their fifth place this season.
The Leicester squad were all smiling against West Brom | Michael Regan / Getty Images
And then the wheels began to fall off again.
The back-to-back Premier League defeat – including a huge damaging loss to other top-chasers West Ham – threatened to completely derail his campaign, so what better time for Jamie Vardy to remind everyone what he can do?
The former England compatriot looked back at Vardy earlier against West Brom on Thursday night and opened the scoring with a typical clinical finish to capture just his second goal in 15 Premier League games.
Dissatisfied with his job, the 34-year-old rolled back the years with a brilliant piece of wing play that left Baggie’s backline completely bamboo, before putting it on a plate for strike partner Kelechi Iheanacho to all but end the game as a pre-half-time contest.
LEICESTER LEAD! ⚽️ pic.twitter.com/6pvBj8E7Pl
– Leicester City (@LCFC) April 22, 2021
During the second half, Vardy took potshots from his own half, such was his confidence, although he was not the only player who clearly enjoyed the foxes’ renewed confidence.
James Maddison returned to the squad after being reprimanded for breaking the lock and the former Norwich man looked like a player with a point to prove.
Maddison picked up small pockets of space between West Brom midfield and the back line and gave absolute riot and provided a link between Leicester’s midfield and attack that had really been missing in his absence.
Vardy and Maddison were not the only stars of the night with Jonny Evans, Timothy Castagne, Wilfred Ndidi and Youri Tielemans all looking back at their best just when Leicester needed them most.
Rodger’s side ran out convincingly 3-0 winners at night, but in truth, they had long ago taken their foot off the gas after running into a three-goal lead with just 35 minutes on the clock.
Jamie Vardy is looking for a way past Dara O’Shea | Michael Regan / Getty Images
While the three points are obviously the most important thing for Leicester to take away from the game as the season enters the home straight, the way of their performance will probably have pleased Rodgers more than anything.
Yes, they were expected to beat a West Brom side who struggled at the bottom of the league table, but with Sam Allardyce’s side scrapped to survive, it could have turned out to be a tricky assignment – just as Chelsea found out at their expense a few weeks ago .
Leicester easily made the work of the collision and lay down in bed worried about possible mental fragility after last season’s collapse and ended their unprofitable run.
With only six games in the campaign to play the foxes, it is now four points clear from the fifth-placed West Ham, and psychologically, the win over the Baggies can prove to be a huge boost when they enter the home.
