Leicester thrash Watford as Jamie Vardy and Harvey Barnes star

Updated: May 17, 2023, 04:57 am
Jamie Vardy of Leicester City celebrates their sides second goal with team mate James Maddison during the Premier League match between Watford and Leicester City
Jamie Vardy of Leicester City celebrates their sides second goal with team mate James Maddison during the Premier League match between Watford and Leicester City
Paul Harding/Getty Images

Jamie Vardy and Harvey Barnes scored two goals each as Leicester City thrashed relegated Watford 5-1 at Vicarage Road in the Premier League on Sunday.

Watford led after six minutes through a half-volley from Joao Pedro after the away side failed to clear a corner, but James Maddison and Vardy scored in quick succession to turn the game in Leicester's favour.

Midfielder Youri Tielemans capitalised on a defensive mix-up from Watford and squared the ball to Maddison, who steered it into an empty net to bring Leicester level with his 16th goal of the season across all competitions.

Maddison played a long ball forward and Watford goalkeeper Ben Foster raced off his line to punch it clear but Vardy headed it home to put Leicester ahead.

Barnes scored 30 seconds after the restart, volleying past Foster from substitute Marc Albrighton's cross, and set up Vardy's second with 20 minutes remaining for the striker to score his 14th league goal of the campaign.

With five minutes remaining, Leicester countered through Maddison and Barnes connected with the midfielder's pass to coolly beat Foster as Watford slumped to their seventh defeat in eight league games.