Leicester City 2-0 Watford: Jamie Vardy scores twice to earn Foxes victory
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Jamie Vardy finally broke the deadlock after Leicester had spurned a number of chances
Jamie Vardy's first goals since early October ensured Leicester City stayed top of the Championship as they beat Watford 2-0.
Kasey McAteer had a good chance saved shortly before the interval while Stephy Mavididi blasted into the side netting after the restart as Leicester dominated the chances.
Substitute Vardy missed an easy chance with 17 minutes to go, but two minutes later he finished at the far post from close range to finally put the Foxes ahead.
Vardy made it 2-0 in stoppage time from the penalty spot after he was fouled by Daniel Bachmann - a challenge which earned the Watford goalkeeper a second yellow card and saw defender Ryan Porteous go in goal.
It means Leicester go three points clear of Ipswich at the top of the table following Town's 2-0 defeat at West Brom in the evening's late kick-off. Watford, meanwhile, drop to 15th place.
Leicester, who had gone into the international break on the back of successive losses to Leeds United and Middlesbrough, dominated much of the first period but could not find a goal.
Watford had their best effort in the ninth minute when Tom Ince flashed a ball across the face of goal which Mileta Rajovic scuffed from close range.
From then on it was the Foxes who impressed as McAteer and Kelechi Iheanacho had good efforts midway through the half, with Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall at the centre of much that was good.
The midfielder flashed a free-kick just wide while he crossed for the best chance of the half as McAteer had a header well saved low down by Bachmann shortly before half-time.
Mavididi went close before Leicester boss Enzo Maresca brought on Vardy and Abdul Fatawu in place of Iheanacho and McAteer 10 minutes into the second period.
Soon after, Fatawu set up Vardy in the box but the former England striker blazed over from eight yards while Dewsbury-Hall hit the post.
Vardy volleyed over from six yards out before finally getting the opener after Jannik Vestergaard's header was saved by Bachmann but fell into his path.
Watford could have equalised in the 89th minute when Porteous went for placement rather than power after making his way into the box and saw his effort saved, before he was forced to go in goal for Vardy's penalty after Bachmann's red card.
Leicester City manager Enzo Maresca told BBC Radio Leicester:
"[I'm] very happy because it is always important to win games, especially after two defeats.
"Second half, we improved the tempo. It was a complete performance. We didn't concede chances.
"Jamie Vardy always scores goals in his life and he will continue.
"The way he behaved off the ball has been incredible."
Watford manager Valerien Ismael told BBC Three Counties Radio:
"This is a tough away game for everyone in the league.
"We knew that we would have a difficult moment. The more it is difficult, the more we have to stick together.
"The second half, until the first goal, we were compact. But, with the ball, it was not good enough.
"We lost the ball too quickly. You have no time to breathe and the next wave is coming."
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