SAN FRANCISCO, October 29, (THEWILL) – The prolific Jamie Vardy continued his goalscoring streak as Leicester City claimed a gritty 2-1 win over AEK Athens in the UEFA Europa League Group G fixture on Thursday.
The English striker put Leicester ahead from the penalty spot for his 11th goal in his last 12 appearances in all competitions for the club.
The Foxes were awarded a penalty when Vardy, after being put through by English central attacking midfielder James Maddison went to ground following an infringement by AEK goalkeeper Panagiotis Tsintotas.
Tsintotas almost made amends when he decided correctly and dived to his right, getting a hand to Vardy’s spot-kick, but the ferocity of the strike allowed it to squeeze over the line.
The Greek keeper was alert soon after to produce a smart save at his near post and deny Turkish winger Cengiz Under a goal on his debut start for the Foxes.
In the 24th minute, Brendan Rodgers’ side were very nearly punished for sloppy play at the back as first, keeper Kasper Schmeichel saved from Marko Livaja’s header and then, moments later the same Croatian striker dragged a shot wide.
However, it was the Foxes that scored again, adding a second shortly before half-time. AEK allowed a Maddison corner to bounce in the box and the unmarked defensive midfielder Choudhury found time to adjust his body at the back post and stylishly whip the ball home.
AEK was to pull one back three minutes into the second half, though and it was a goal of equal quality. Swedish left winger Muamer Tankovic, on for a like-for-like substitution of winger Livaja, beat the Leicester offside trap and drilled a low first-time shot beyond Schmeichel.
The Swede found himself in a similar position in the 50th minute but could not replicate that strike, sending his effort over the crossbar. Schmeichel, however, did not fancy being so exposed and was furious with his defence.
That fury worked as Leicester tightened up at the back from that point and saw out the rest of the contest without further trouble.
For their next encounter, AEK host OFI in the Sunday afternoon kickoff of the Greek top flight while Leicester travel to Elland Road for a Monday night cracker of English Premier League football.
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