JAMIE VARDY finally became the Premier League’s most prolific old timer as Leicester won for the first time in 2022.

Brendan Rodgers’ men were the only top-flight team yet to record a victory in the calendar year before last night.

3

But the former England striker struck late to make it 94 league goals since he turned 30.

The finish, his first in the Prem since a pair against Watford on November 28, saw his surpass the record set by Arsenal legend Ian Wright.

And it made it a memorable return from a hamstring injury for super-sub Vardy – who has been sidelined since December 28.

Asked about his new record, Vardy, 35, said: “It is great, but probably just means I didn’t score enough before 30!

“Fingers crossed there’s more to come. I don’t think you can lose that scoring touch. It is instinct.”

Vardy was thrown on 18 minutes from time by Brendan Rodgers as Nick Pope had threatened to frustrate the Foxes.

Most read in Football

LUK AT THAT

Conte’s side pip Inter to Scudetto as McTominay & Lukaku score in Cagliari win

UNITED LATEST

Amorim wants Casemiro 'GONE,' Mastantuono blow, Cunha deal agreed

OPEN-TOT BUS

Postecoglou gives update on future as Spurs celebrate ending trophy drought

NEV SHOCK

Gary Neville BANNED by Nottingham Forest for last day of Prem with Sky furious

FREE BETS: GET OVER £2,000 IN NEW CUSTOMER DEALS

But he created the opener for James Maddison then nodded in a cross by Harvey Barnes late on to seal it.

He said: “It has been a long nine weeks resting it and then four weeks getting the muscles back up.

“The main thing was to get back on and put a performance in. Getting 20 minutes it is good for myself there are no more issues.”

Boss Rodgers was delighted to have his iconic forward back, saying: “He is a real catalyst for the team. You see his energy.

“He makes runs and presses and is normally in the right areas to score. He is a huge boost for us. To have that quality and mentality back in the team will help us.

'HUGE LIFT'

“He couldn’t start, he has only trained for a few days. It is a great credit to him because he came to us and said he’d love to be involved and that shows you what he is all about.

“You see when he is on the pitch and the threat and the movement. He is a top player and it is a huge lift having him back.”

Burnley’s recent revival – which has seen them take seven points from nine before this – was checked by the late show.

Their chance to move out of the bottom three slipped away and boss Sean Dyche said: “I have to be careful not to be too critical. We stepped away from the mark to be fair.

“We weren’t as good as we have been, particularly in the first half.

“Without being terrible, we just let soft things against us."

⚽ Read our Football News Live blog for breaking news, transfer gossip and must-read stories

3

3