Vardy’s suspension gives title chasers hope

Harry Kane’s two goals against Stoke City helped Tottenham Hotspur to a crucial 4-0 win at Britannia Stadium on Monday to close the gap between them and leaders Leicester City to five points with four games remaining.

Leicester dropped points in their 2-2 draw against West Ham United but more alarmingly their top goal scorer Jamie Vardy lost the plot in swearing at the referee after a dubious call of diving which led to his second yellow card. Charged with improper conduct by the FA, Vardy is now facing a one game automatic suspension for his red card with at least one more game added to his ban if the charge is upheld.

Vardy is one of the most crucial figures in the Foxes’ title challenge, having featured in every league game this season and netting 22 goals in the process – only two goals less than Kane. The English striker’s loss would be a huge blow to the leaders, but as the most consistent club with only three defeats this season it still seems unlikely that they will let their lead slip.

If this season is anything to go by, Leicester will find goal scorers somewhere else. Riyad Mahrez has made a huge contribution this season, Wes Morgan once scored the winning goal and so did Leonardo Ulloa! Vardy is indeed the cherry on the cake, but Leicester’s success this season has not been built on any single player. If results go the Blues’ way, they can be crowned champions as early as their trip to Old Trafford at the end of the month but on current form they should at least do enough to get there in their final two games against Everton and Chelsea.