Leicester City enjoyed a dream afternoon at the Etihad, running out 5-2 winners over Manchester City with Jamie Vardy helping himself to a hat-trick.
Former Foxes hero Riyad Mahrez put City in front before Vardy’s treble and a superb strike from distance from substitute James Maddison put the visitors 4-1 up.
Nathan Ake scored a late consolation for City from a Mahrez corner but Leicester restored their three-goal advantage when Youri Tielemans scored a penalty after Vardy had already netted twice from the spot.
Vardy’s hat-trick was the story of the game but Maddison’s curler from outside the area was the best goal and the playmaker celebrated by rushing over to the bench and holding a t-shirt aloft in an apparent tribute to a former Leicester City staff member.
The man in question was the club’s former doctor and ex-NHS orthopaedic surgeon Stuart Birtwistle, who passed away from cancer in June. On the t-shirt, Birtwistle was pictured alongside the Premier League trophy that Leicester City won in 2016.
It wasn’t the first time that Maddison has dedicated a goal to someone as he did likewise last year to Sophie Taylor from Norwich who died at the age of five after being diagnosed with bone cancer.
After scoring a free-kick for Leicester against Burnley, Maddison removed his shirt to display the message: “RIP Sophie I love you.” Maddison had met Sophie when she was a mascot for Norwich City during his time with the Canaries.
Leicester’s impressive victory against Pep Guardiola’s side meant that they maintained their 100 per cent winning start to the Premier League season and the result saw them shoot to the top of the table.
Maddison has endured a frustrating few months after missing the final few games of last season with a hip injury but he certainly made an impression during his 20 minute cameo at the Etihad.
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from Football – inews.co.uk https://ift.tt/3j9Vk82
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