Leicester City

Tom Gayle
BBC Match of the Day commentator at King Power Stadium

Image source, Getty Images

Jamie Vardy's 'Last Dance' for Leicester City was planned meticulously.

From the flags bearing his name provided for the home fans, the "Goodbye to the Goat" messaging which was emblazoned across the matchday programme, as well as the stadium big screen, to all the VIPs in attendance, which included the manager who signed him, Nigel Pearson, a number of his former team-mates, plus Vardy's family and friends.

Having received an abundance of additional information on email and WhatsApp prior to kick-off, I can't have been the only one thinking this will be proper awkward if he doesn't score!

This shaped my questioning to Ruud van Nistelrooy pre-match when I asked if there was any danger of sentiment getting in the way of his players decision-making when attacking. His robust response clearly indicated this had been a discussion point during the week, but Van Nistelrooy was clear in explaining how it was Vardy himself who led the dialogue of their focus being on the team rather than any individual, and winning was the most important objective.

His 200th club goal, which is set to be replayed for years to come, was classic Jamie Vardy.

As soon as the counter was on, he held the high line to force the Ipswich defence into retreat, which created room for James Justin to drive into. Vardy then made the run to find just enough space so when the ball did arrive at his feet, he was able to deliver the type of 18-yard box finish which has become so synonymous throughout his goalscoring career. Topped off with a customary celebration in front of the away supporters, it was a full house when it comes to a Jamie Vardy goal bingo checklist.

It was a surprise to all media in attendance to discover Vardy's only post-match interview would be conducted by the club, as the squad carried out their lap of appreciation. However, in addition to his goals, given his time at Leicester was largely fuelled by homemade Skittles and vodka, and cutting on and off the field banter, which even his own team-mates and their 'Danish friends' couldn't escape, I respect how he was determined to go out on his own terms.

Image source, Getty Images

We asked for your views on Leicester's Premier League match against Ipswich.

Here are some of your comments:

Jon: So wonderful that Jamie scored in his final game for Leicester. What a magnificent career; a fairytale of epic proportions. A true 'Roy of the Rovers' of the 21st century! We will all miss you so much. Thank you for 13 wonderful years.

David: Written in the stars to finish their season this way. If Ipswich had a Vardy they would have won. Leicester have been very poor on the eyes most of the season, but I cannot complain about their recent achievements which we all never thought would happen.

Steve: If only Leicester had played like this earlier in the season! Vardy deserved his swansong and there can be no better servant for a football club. Jeremy Monga looked impressive for the short time he was on and I'm so glad that Kasey McAteer got his first Premier League goal.

Dave: Well done Vards, difficult season but you have done us well.

Nick Mashiter
BBC Sport football news reporter

Image source, Getty Images

Few could have envisaged the impact Jamie Vardy would make at the King Power Stadium, especially after five goals in his first season in the Championship.

"He was always joking and always full throttle in everything he did," said former team-mate Mark Schwarzer.

"Nobody saw what Leicester was going to do [winning the league in 2016]. When he first signed, apparently when he turned up he was terrible at training.

"His touch was horrendous, it was all over the place, and they all thought 'what have we just signed?'.

"Then he went away in the summer and really worked on his game. Apparently he was a different player when he returned back in that 2015-16 season."

Vardy put that improvement down to small changes. Before games, throughout the day, he started drinking three cans of Red Bull and a double espresso and eating a cheese and ham omelette with baked beans.

He also drank port from a Lucozade bottle the evening before matches during the 2015-16 season - having stopped with the Skittles vodka which was a previous favourite tipple and involved dissolving the sweets in the alcohol.

It helped him score 24 goals to win Leicester the league, and he went on to earn the Premier League's Golden Boot in 2019–20, becoming the oldest player to lift the award.

Title-winning Leicester manager Claudio Ranieri described Vardy as "a fantastic horse" back in 2016 as the Foxes closed in on the Premier League.

The veteran may not be a thoroughbred any more but he has been synonymous with Leicester's rise - and fall - as their last title winner to leave the King Power Stadium.

It was the end of an era and Leicester must find a new talisman. They will never find someone quite like Vardy again.

Read Nick's full piece on Vardy

Highlights and analysis from Sunday's five Premier League fixtures, plus the best of the action from the rest of the weekend.

If you missed Match of the Day 2, catch up now on BBC iPlayer.

And you can watch Saturday's Match of the Day here.

Listen back to the weekend's full match commentaries on BBC Sounds:

Saturday 17th May

FA Cup final: Crystal Palace 1-0 Manchester City - 5 LIVE

Sunday 18th May

West Ham 1-2 Nottingham Forest - 5 LIVE

Brentford 2-3 Fulham – SPORTS EXTRA 2

Arsenal 1-0 Newcastle - 5 LIVE

The latest episode of When You're Smiling podcast has landed.

The team discuss Sunday's victory against Ipswich and Jamie Vardy's 500th and final appearance for the club.

Listen to the full episode on BBC Sounds

Image source, Getty Images

Jamie Vardy addressing the Leicester fans on the pitch after his final match for the Foxes: "I've enjoyed every minute of this. I look forward to keeping an eye on the club I love. They are in my heart.

"From the bottom of my heart, thank you for taking myself and my family in as your own. I hope I've repaid you."

Image source, Getty Images

On his 500th and final appearance for Leicester City, Jamie Vardy scored his 200th goal for the Foxes across all competitions.

Ruud van Nistelrooy spoke to Premier League productions about the 38 year-old: "If you score your 200th goal on your 500th appearance, then you are a great one.

"He has been a unique player and person for this football club. In years to come we will realise we were part of this moment. He's a character as well, there's a story and an edge to him. He's a great captain as well.

"We were motivated to do well for Jamie, but also to get more momentum after the Southampton win and the point against Nottingham Forest. It's some positives towards the end of the season."

On Kasey McAteer's goal, he added: "It's great he, deserves that, like all of us he's had a season of ups and growns, he trains well and works for the team, his effort was rewarded today with a great goal."

Image source, Getty Images

Amongst the 34 players to have scored 100+ Premier League goals, only Dwight Yorke (98.4%) has scored a greater proportion of his goals from inside the penalty area than Jamie Vardy (97.9% - 142/145).

Were you at the game or watching from elsewhere?

Have your say on Leicester's performance

What did you think of Ipswich's display?

Come back to this page on Monday to find a selection of your replies

Five matches make up Sunday's Premier League action and BBC Sport will bring you every kick.

• Everton v Southampton (12:00) - listen on BBC Radio 5 Live

• West Ham v Nottingham Forest (14:15)

• Brentford v Fulham - listen on BBC Radio 5 Sports Extra 2

• Leicester v Ipswich

• Arsenal v Newcastle (16:30) - listen on BBC Radio 5 Live

Kick-off times 15:00 BST unless stated

Follow all of the action and reaction here

Join the When You're Smiling team to look to a key game in the career of Jamie Vardy.

Listen to the full episode

Leicester were really good against Nottingham Forest last week once Ruud van Nistelrooy had made some substitutions, but they were terrible before he changed things.

It took a 94th-minute equaliser from Jordan Ayew to deny Ipswich a win when Leicester came to Portman Road in November but that was when both sides were still fighting to stay up, which feels like an awfully long time ago now.

What a desperate game this is for both teams, because the only prize for the winner is 18th place.

I am backing Leicester to take it, and it would be fitting for Jamie Vardy to mark his final game for the club with his 200th Foxes goal.

Sutton's prediction: 2-1

Read the full predictions and have your say here

Image source, Getty Images

Former Leicester City defender Michael Morrison says Jamie Vardy's departure will mark "the end of a chapter" at the club but believes the record-breaking striker will leave behind a "massive legacy" at King Power Stadium.

Since signing for the club in May 2012, Vardy has won a Premier League title, the FA Cup, the Community Shield and two promotions from the Championship.

Speaking on BBC Radio Leicester's When You're Smiling podcast, Morrison said: "I was looking at how many games he has played and it is just incredible. I can't think of anybody that has played that many games for one club in the last 10 years.

"Then it is amazing to back it up with how many goals he has scored, the accolades he has received and the record-breaking runs he has gone on.

"It is the end of a chapter for Leicester City as a football club. He's also the last remaining player that was involved in the team that won the Premier League, so that is another closing door.

"I think his legacy is massive - and as a player you can only be proud of that.

"When he looks back at his Leicester City career, I think he will be amazed at what he has achieved. He wouldn't have thought he would have had this much success in his wildest dreams.

"I'm sure this isn't how Jamie Vardy saw his Leicester City career finishing. It is a really difficult moment to be celebrating such a legend because it's off the back of a really disappointing season.

"I do think it will be a bit of a strange atmosphere for some but the club is strong enough and it has bounced back plenty of times, so I definitely think Sunday should be used as a celebration for what Jamie Vardy has done over the last 13 years."

Listen to the full podcast on BBC Sounds

Image source, Getty Images

Former Leicester City midfielder Marc Albrighton thinks there is no doubt Jamie Vardy has left a legacy behind at the King Power Stadium.

Vardy will leave Leicester at the end of the season after 13 years at the club, with his 200th - and final - game coming against Ipswich on Sunday.

"I think the way the fans could relate to him made him quite unique," Albrighton told BBC East Midlands.

"He was somebody that went out every game and gave 100%. He wound the fans up, he was lively in and amongst opponents and I think the fans loved that. I think he brought the non-league to the Premier League in some respects.

"His numbers speak for themselves and his goalscoring record is fantastic considering he came in to the professional game so late. It is certainly something he is going to be remembered for and he will have a legacy for a long time at Leicester City Football Club."

Albrighton played alongside Vardy for 10 years, winning the Premier League, FA Cup and promotion back to the top flight last season.

He added: "Over the few years that we played together we didn't even have to think, he [Vardy] knew where I was going to put the ball and I knew exactly the run he was going to make and it just seemed to click. He certainly made my job a lot easier.

"It's obviously going to be such a special day [on Sunday] and I've said this to him, 'just enjoy it.' There's times where he can shy away from his achievements and when he does achieve these outstanding things that's when he's at his most vulnerable."

Millie Sian
BBC Sport journalist

Leicester City boss Ruud van Nistelrooy has been speaking to the media before Sunday's Premier League game against Ipswich Town (kick-off 15:00 BST).

Here are the key lines from his news conference:

• There are no fresh injury concerns. Ricardo Pereira could make his return from a minor muscle injury but his availability will need to be assessed in training today and tomorrow.

• Jeremy Monga has impressed in his recent substitute appearances, with the winger putting out his "best performance" against Nottingham Forest last weekend. Van Nistelrooy added: "You can see him growing into these opportunities. He is a young lad that also has to adapt to playing in these kinds of atmospheres."

• He is happy with the development his side have shown in their last five games, adding: "It is visible in the performances, the points, the goals scored and goals conceded. We can't take away the disappointment of relegation but I'm happy with how the players have been performing."

• There is "extra motivation to do well" against Ipswich Town because the Foxes will be competing against Kieran McKenna's side in the Championship next season.

• When told that Leicester City would record their worst points return in a Premier League season if they don't win their final two games, he responded: "Thanks for sharing that, it is a good motivation."

• After the club announcement that Jamie Vardy's final game for Leicester City would be this weekend, Van Nistelrooy confirmed it was the striker's decision to round off his time at the club on home turf.

• Vardy will be "leading the team out" on Sunday and they are ready to give their Premier League, FA Cup, Community Shield and two-time Championship promotion winner "the best possible send-off" after his 13-year stint at the club.

• On whether the focus will be on getting the striker his 200th Leicester City goal, he said: "He is preparing to win the game, that's what he does. He has been so good at what he does over the years because of this mindset. We aren't going to see any other Vardy than we have always seen - and I love that."

• He added: "When you are performing at this level for 13 seasons - coming up to 500 games and 200 goals - that says it all. It says something about his mindset, his standards and how he lives his life around football. It is the total package for one of the greatest."

• The pair haven't had any discussions about whether Vardy might want to step into coaching or management in the future. Van Nistelrooy explained: "When I was playing at an older age, I was focused on performing and I recognise that in him as well. He isn't thinking about a future after football, he wants to continue playing."

• Lastly, the manager confirmed there was "no news to bring" on his future at the football club. He is still waiting to find out whether he will be leading Leicester City in the Championship next season.

Follow all of Friday's Premier League news conferences and the rest of the day's football news

Image source, Getty Images

Leicester City striker Jamie Vardy will make his final club appearance on Sunday against Ipswich Town, as the Foxes prepare to say goodbye to arguably their greatest player of all time after a 13-year stint at King Power Stadium.

The striker's last dance will see him reach 500 Leicester City appearances, and he will also be hoping to score his 200th goal for the club.

Speaking on the When You're Smiling podcast, former Leicester City defender Michael Morrison said it will be an "emotional" occasion: "You do half-think about the fact he could do a job for us next season, so it is one of those bittersweet situations.

"A lot of us probably feel like there are more goals that we want to see Jamie Vardy score for Leicester City, so I think that makes it all a little bit harder.

"When a legend leaves a football club - and he is a proper legend - it becomes difficult for everybody, especially off the back of a disappointing season.

"Every time the club has brought in somebody younger to try and replace him, or to be their contingency plan, he has come up with the goods.

"So it is going to be a difficult day on Sunday and it will be quite emotional at the stadium. I think he will be really emotional because it is hard when you have committed your life to a club and played so many games - no matter what you do next.

"I think it will really hit the club when the 2025-26 season starts, when we see Jamie Vardy playing for and scoring for somebody else. It will be especially hard if he stays in the country, so it'll be interesting to see where he ends up."

Listen to the full podcast on BBC Sounds

Image source, PA Media

Jamie Vardy could make his final home appearance for Leicester in this match. If he plays, it will be his 500th overall appearance for the Foxes in all competitions, while he is also currently on 199 goals for the club.

Image source, Getty Images

For the players and fans, Nottingham Forest striker Taiwo Awoniyi getting this injury in a situation where the offside flag should have been raised is so frustrating.

The frustration is when it is clear and obvious. Officials have been overseeing games for many years and they would always flag whether they were right or wrong.

Now technology has come into it, they are very reliant on VAR to make the right decision, the factual decision, about an offside. But, I think when an offside is so clear and obvious, it should be the duty of the assistant referee to put their flag up and stop play from the off.

When it is marginal, I understand we are a bit more hesitant when there are really fine margins, and we have seen those fine margins when goals have been given and it is a toenail to keep them on-side. I would understand it from that point of view, but it was on the halfway-line where the offside happened on Sunday, only for play to be allowed to continue.

It has been a matter of time. It has been a time bomb waiting to go off for somebody to get seriously injured. Awoniyi is the one that has got that injury - that horrific injury - because of it. Some will say it is only the first time it has happened in the duration of this rule, but it should never happen. That is how players will be looking at it, how fans and managers will be looking at it and saying 'it should never happen'. We should not wait for something to happen to reassess rules like this.

I don't like the ruling of it - it is on the halfway-line, it is clear and obviously offside, everybody in the stadium could probably see it. It should be for the assistant referee to make the decision. There are small margins in the box, I understand why they are a bit hesitant, but in open play, if somebody is sprinting, you could cause hamstring, quad, and all types of muscle injuries.

I am totally against this rule of waiting to put up the flag and I think most players and managers are as well. It's disappointing. I think it's a rule that nobody likes, and I'm sure in the summer off the back of this injury, one that will probably be reassessed.

Fara Williams was speaking to BBC Sport's Nicola Pearson