Report as Sheffield Wednesday fan Jamie Vardy seizes on late John Fleck mistake to snap back-to-back defeats for Leicester City; Oli McBurnie's first goal of the season looked to have grabbed a point for the winless Blades
Sunday 6 December 2020 18:01, UK
Jamie Vardy struck a 90th-minute winner to grab Leicester a 2-1 victory at Sheffield United, leaving Chris Wilder’s men in all sorts of trouble in the Premier League
Ayoze Perez fired Leicester in front (24) after seizing upon a deflected shot by Marc Albrighton but Oli McBurnie scored his first goal of the season minutes later (26), heading in from a corner.
Leicester's performance tailed off in the second period but they could have had the game wrapped up as both Vardy and James Maddison hit the post in the first half.
The Blades were minutes away from their second point of the season but Vardy, who grew up a Sheffield Wednesday fan, raced clear from a Maddison pass with one of the last attacks of the game and grabbed maximum points for the Foxes.
The Blades remain winless at the foot of the Premier League table and have taken just one point from the last 42 available in the league.
With Sheffield falling into the Tier 3 category of government restrictions, United could not welcome any fans in to help their cause. Teams have found it easier to settle without the usual raucous atmosphere at Bramall Lane and Leicester were into their stride quickly.
Maddison was finding plenty of space as the Blades defended deep and he instigated an attack that finished with Vardy crashing a fierce effort back off the woodwork on 10 minutes.
Leicester maintained their pressure by keeping control of the ball in midfield and it wasn't a surprise to see the opening goal come with 24 minutes played. Albrighton joined the attack from his right-wing back role and fired a shot that was blocked into the path of Perez, who celebrated a return to the team with a powerful finish that Aaron Ramsdale couldn't keep out.
With confidence low within the ranks, a reaction seemed unlikely but they managed to turn Leicester and win a corner down the left. Leicester had already conceded six goals from set-piece situations and six became seven when McBurnie rose highest to divert a clever header into the far corner. It was his first goal of the season from his 20th effort on goal.
Max Lowe was fortunate not to receive a second yellow card just before the break when cynically tripping Perez who was charging towards goal. From the free-kick, Maddison wriggled into space about 18 yards out smacked the same post that Vardy hit earlier in the half with another rasping effort.
Wilder withdrew Lowe at the break and the introduction of Ben Osborn down the left seemed to give the hosts better balance in their defensive shape. Leicester continued to dominate the ball but space was now at a premium.
You sensed a smash and grab could be on the cards for the Blades who have been owed some luck this season but their threat in forward areas remained minimal. Only a McBurnie header from another set-piece troubled Leicester's goal but this one sailed over the crossbar.
Youri Tielemans almost seized upon a dropped catch by Ramsdale on 68 minutes but the goalkeeper bravely reacted in time to deflect the ball away.
The game seemed to be fizzling out but then Vardy came to the party in dramatic fashion.
Vardy, who took great delight in scoring in this fixture last season when the Foxes also won 2-1, kept his cool when through one-on-one and beat Ramsdale with a confident right-foot finish. His wild celebration drew a yellow card after he annihilated the corner flag but it mattered little to his mood.
Wilder's side have now made the worst-ever start to a Premier League season and remain rooted to the bottom of the table with only one point from 11 matches.
Sheffield United fans just can't catch a break this season. Just when things couldn't have reached more frustrating levels, the sight of Vardy wheeling away celebrating a last-minute winner at Bramall Lane intensified the misery for all concerned with the club. He'd hardly a kick for the previous 89 minutes - apart from smashing an effort against a post - but was ready for action when Maddison slotted him through on goal.
Sheffield United boss Chris Wilder: "We are a losing team at the moment and I am the manager of a losing team. Whether it is cruel or deserved, we have to make the right decisions.
"If we make the right decisions we get something from the game against a really decent team. There has to be a mindset when you get deep into a game that we get something from it, but we didn't.
"We can't lose in that manner. If someone wins it with a bit of brilliance then we can accept that.
"I'm not going to sit here and say we are a decent team. We turned the ball over too cheaply and again we didn't show the quality you need for momentum in the game."
Leicester boss Brendan Rodgers said: "I thought it was very much deserved. We hit the post twice and created other chances and our combination play was good, while defending very well.
"We just need that final pass and it came late in the game and wins us the match, and Jamie Vardy is one of the best in Europe in that position."
Sheffield United have a trip to Southampton next Sunday, live on Sky Sports. Meanwhile, Leicester still have work to do in order to top their Europa League group on Thursday against AEK Athens before host Brighton in the Premier League next Saturday.
