Jamie Vardy was up to his usual tricks during Leicester’s 1-1 draw with Tottenham Hotspur, violently attacking Spurs fans after being substituted.
The 37-year-old Vardy made a successful return to the top flight by scoring the equaliser in the 57th minute, giving the promoted team a surprise point.
Steve Cooper’s Leicester had been under fire for much of the game until Vardy delivered a powerful blow to the North London side.
The former England striker, who was questionable due to injury before the match, was unable to play the full 90 minutes and was substituted with 79 minutes remaining.
As Vardy left the field, he couldn’t resist mocking the away fans for not winning the Premier League title.
Jamie Vardy scored the equaliser against Tottenham in the 57th minute, giving the Foxes a point
Pedro Porro had put Spurs ahead in the first half as they looked set to cruise to victory
Vardy mocked Spurs fans for never seeing their team win the Premier League because he was substituted
After handing the captain’s armband to team-mate Harry Winks, Vardy took the opportunity to address the Spurs fans before leaving the field.
First he points to the Premier League logo on the sleeve of his shirt, then he points to himself and raises one finger to indicate that he won the title in the 2015-16 season.
The striker then points back to the crest, wagging his finger at the Spurs fans and gesturing to the number zero, emphasising that Tottenham still need to win the Premier League title.
When he eventually left the field, he also got into an argument with Spurs defender Cristian Romero.
The Leicester player was caught telling the Argentine centre-back to ‘fuck off’ during a heated exchange.
After the match, Vardy was asked about the incident, but he dismissed it as a joke.
Vardy told Sky Sports: ‘You get a bit of a beating during the game but that’s part of football. As long as they can take it when I give it back, that’s all that matters.’
The 37-year-old turned to the Tottenham fans and initially pointed to the Premier League logo
He then pointed to himself and raised one finger to indicate that he had won the trophy once before, in 2016, while Tottenham have not won it since its reincarnation in 1993.
Vardy was then caught on camera telling Spurs defender Cristian Romero: ‘Fuck off’
Former Liverpool defender Jamie Carragher, who worked on Sky Sports’ Monday Night Football programme, was delighted with Vardy’s humorous gesture.
“Thankfully Jamie Vardy went to Steve Cooper in the middle of the week and said he was ready, ready to play,” Carragher said. “And I mean, never change Jamie Vardy.
Vardy’s goal against Tottenham Hotspur was his ninth Premier League goal against the club, with only rivals Arsenal and Watford having scored more.
It was also his 103rd goal since he turned 30, showing that he is still fit for the highest level of English football.
His performance was praised by many experts, especially Carragher, who was impressed by his achievement.
“That was Vardy at his best,” Carragher added. “He could have scored the winner and he did.”
‘It was night and day, the performance in the second half [from Leicester]and there was energy in the stadium.’
Steve Cooper (left) showed his full confidence in Vardy despite the striker not being match fit
Gary Neville, a fellow analyst of the former Liverpool defender, was also impressed with Vardy’s performance.
Neville said in an interview with Sky Sports: ‘I loved it when he first came into the Premier League, when we got our eyes on him, and the idea of that non-league mentality that was at play.
‘He’s a step back, but I expected him to be one of those players who completely trust their pace, run on their shoulder and counter.
‘When he lost his pace or lost a metre, and he’s still quite quick, I thought he would find it difficult to adapt his game, which I think is the case with a lot of others, but he’s still 37.’