The opening weekend of the Premier League came to a close on Monday night, with Leicester hosting Spurs on their return to the top flight. More importantly for many neutral fans, the game marked the return of Jamie Vardy to the top flight of English football.
When Leicester sensationally claimed the Premier League title in 2016, many of the plaudits went to midfield maestro N'Golo Kanté, while winger Riyad Mahrez would win the PFA Player of the Year award.
However, the man who captured the imagination of football fans and became the face of the most unlikely of triumphs was Jamie Vardy, the former non-league striker who broke numerous records during an immense goalscoring season.
Since that 2015-16 campaign, Vardy has not only kept up his goalscoring but become an immense character, renowned for his ability to rile up opposition fans with exquisitely executed acts of shithousery.
Monday night's visit of Spurs to the King Power Stadium saw Vardy's shithousery (and goalscoring) make an impeccable return to the Premier League.
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Jamie Vardy's madcap antics made their Premier League return on Monday
Spurs would go in at half-time 1-0 up thanks to Pedro Porro's header but it did not take long for Leicester to level things up in the second period.
Given everything he and Leicester have been through during their 12 years together, perhaps there was a sense of inevitability about Jamie Vardy scoring their first goal back in the Premier League.
Jamie Vardy is BACK in the Premier League 💥
That header 👏 pic.twitter.com/7rTVpIx3Ga— Sky Sports Premier League (@SkySportsPL) August 19, 2024
Vardy was in typically bullish mood after levelling the scores - and video footage circulating on social media may have explained why.
The 37-year-old striker could be seen chugging a can of Red Bull in the tunnel before re-emerging for the second half, perhaps exemplifying where his immense energy had come from.
Jamie Vardy 🤝 Red Bull = GOAL pic.twitter.com/W8uDBDDDqB
— 🇨🇩🇸🇱 (@8Flavs) August 19, 2024
That was not even close to the peak of Jamie Vardy's antics on the pitch on Monday night.
After an outstanding shift from the veteran striker, Vardy would be subbed off with just over ten minutes to go.
The Englishman took some grief from the Spurs fans as he exited the pitch - prompting him to point to the Premier League badge on his sleeve. "Me 1, Spurs 0" was the message that followed, alluding to his tally of Premier League medals.
Jamie Vardy is well and truly back in the Premier League 😅 pic.twitter.com/UDDHlGd65a
— Sky Sports Premier League (@SkySportsPL) August 19, 2024
And, as if that wasn't enough, Vardy would tell Spurs defender Christian Romero where to go in somewhat unparliamentary language as he exited the stage.
We've missed Jamie Vardy at the highest stage. How delightful it is to have him back.
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