On a day when champions Chelsea ended their slump with a 1-0 win over Norwich City, Leicester became the third team in five hours to top the table after Manchester United also briefly led following their 2-1 victory at Watford in the early kickoff.
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Former Manchester United striker Van Nistelrooy set the record in 2003.
Leonardo Ulloa and substitute Shinji Okazaki were also on target but it was Vardy’s individual feat that garnered the most attention.
It’s possible not even the wolly’s brolly could could help Newcastle and the slippery path they’re on right now, as they sit one place above the drop zone.
While Vardy’s heroics perfectly encompass Leicester’s inspiring achievements this season, there’s another member of the squad who personifies the club’s unexpected success.
Vardy was the first player to score against Steve McClaren’s Magpies in three fixtures after they had recorded back-to-back clean sheets and appeared to be turning the corner under the ex-England manager prior to the worldwide break.
“I kept getting it sent to me [Van Nistelrooy’s message], so fair play to him for doing that”.
Vardy, 28, can make the record his own next Saturday in front of his home fans and against Manchester United.
“There are questions we have to ask moving forward about Vardy, because there’s no way teams will be as bad as Newcastle’s defence were on Saturday, particularly in these next six games which are tough”, England assistant Neville told Sky Sports.
That approach is shared by Leicester boss Claudio Ranieri, who said he wants his team to “be safe”. In my career, I know just one player like him who has taken the same route to the top.
Jamie Vardy found himself being mentioned in the same bracket as Gabriel Batistuta.
The manager admitted: “We looked fragile out there and that is something that can only be solved from within. Consistency is one; at the moment we’ve not got that”. “(On Saturday) we have a game, and I will try to be better than”.
Aston Villa slumped to a heavy first defeat under Remi Garde in his second game in charge as braces from Ross Barkley and Romelu Lukaku condemned the basement boys to a 4-0 thrashing at Everton.
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“At the end of the season we won the Copa del Rey, beating Atletico Madrid 3-0 in the final”. Stoke beat Southampton 1-0 away and Swansea rallied from two goals down to draw 2-2 at home to Bournemouth.
