Leicester’s clash with Southampton had to be stopped when referee David Webb went down following a collision, but the game continued until Jamie Vardy stepped in
Jamie Vardy has been hailed by supporters for his actions during Leicester’s clash with Southampton. The veteran striker had opened the scoring for the Foxes against the Saints in Saturday’s game.
But 10 minutes after that goal referee David Webb went down aafter colliding with the shoulder of Jordan Ayew. The game carried on despite Webb being on the ground, with play only stopping once Vardy had run over to the stricken official, picked up his arm and blown the whistle.
That allowed physios to rush onto the pitch to treat Webb, who had been making his Premier League debut. After treatment the referee did get back up to his feet, but it was decided he would be unable to continue.
Fourth official Samuel Barrott stepped up, with the game resuming after a 12-minute delay. Wedd underwent a concussion test and was then put under further observation.
It was a bizarre incident, though supporters quickly rushed to praise Vardy for his actions. One fan wrote: “More vintage Jamie Vardy!” Another added: “Never change Jamie Vardy.”
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A third said: “Jamie Vardy never change. Sad to see him leave at the end of the season.” A fourth claimed: “Jamie Vardy is a national treasure.”
A fifth made light of the situation, saying: “Jamie Vardy is bowing out just as you’d expect him to.” A sixth said: “Absolutely incredible scenes. We cannot let this man leave the Premier League.” While a final fan concluded: “Jamie Vardy is some character.”
Vardy’s goal was his 199th strike in Leicester colours. It came when Bilal El Khannouss linked up well with Luke Thomas on the left wing, with the ball then fed in to Vardy in the box, who swept it high into the net.
That was Leicester’s first goal in the league at home since 8 December and led to jubilant chants of “We scored a goal” from the Foxes fans. The supporters later poked fun at the Premier League during the stoppage for Webb’s injury.
An announcement came over the tannoy that officials hoped to restart the game shortly. That was met by chants of: “Premier League, you’re having a laugh.”
Having felled Webb, Ayew then doubled Leicester’s lead on the stroke of half-time with his first goal since Boxing Day. His awful free-kick went low into the wall but the rebound fell nicely to him and he hammered it beyond Aaron Ramsdale into the bottom corner.
Both Leicester and Southampton have of course already been relegated. These are also the final four games of Vardy’s Leicester career, with the Englishman leaving the King Power at the end of the season.
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