Takeaways from Leicester City’s 2-0 Win Over Ipswich: Vardy’s Farewell, Fan Sentiment, and a Glimpse Into the Future
Jamie Vardy’s final appearance in a Leicester City shirt was capped with a fittingly iconic moment—and photograph. After coolly netting his 200th goal, he raced away, silenced the Ipswich supporters, and triumphantly held the corner flag high, glaring back at the crowd. It was classic Vardy: defiant, dominant, and unforgettable.
It was the perfect highlight for a day steeped in celebration. A crowd of 32,000 came together to honour Vardy’s remarkable 13-year journey, and the striker responded in trademark fashion. The crowd’s yearning for him to reach the 200-goal milestone was evident, and he delivered with the relentless energy and instincts that have defined his career—making darting runs, pouncing on loose balls, and even bulldozing into Ipswich goalkeeper Alex Palmer for no particular reason beyond knowing he could get away with it.
The goal itself was vintage Vardy. After waiting patiently for James Justin to advance, he timed his movement flawlessly, drifting to the back post before cutting inside, squeezing past Dara O’Shea, and slotting the ball through Palmer’s legs.
There was a moment earlier that showed the toll of age—at 38, Vardy couldn’t quite burst away like he once did, letting a golden opportunity slip away after initially beating the defence. But true to form, he quickly corrected it. The next chance he got, he struck early—and scored.
There was never much doubt he would. His Leicester career has played out like a storybook, and the finale had to be triumphant. Naturally, he delivered.
Vardy may no longer have the power to change a club’s destiny single-handedly, but when the spotlight is on, he shows up. Though he’ll wear different colours next season, Leicester will always be his club. He’s surpassed every expectation, carved out a legendary legacy, and set a standard few—if any—can ever match. Even if a future star emerges, Vardy will remain the original, the benchmark.
The enduring image of him raising the corner flag speaks volumes. It’s not just that Vardy belongs to Leicester; the club, in many ways, belongs to him. He has been the symbol of their rise, the face of their success. As they now move into a new chapter, they must do so without their greatest icon.
£2.8m Victory Boost
While the pre-match spotlight focused heavily on Vardy’s swansong, the team itself had clear priorities—securing a win. That objective was achieved, and it could prove financially significant. The result places Leicester in pole position to finish 18th. Should they draw at Bournemouth or if Ipswich fail to defeat West Ham, Leicester would finish as the highest-ranked relegated team—earning nearly £3m in additional prize money.
Performance-wise, City had bright spells and improved control once Ricardo Pereira entered the fray. But they were far from dominant. Leif Davis and Omari Hutchinson posed regular threats, and Jakub Stolarczyk had some nervy moments in goal. A more established opponent could have punished those lapses.
Manager Ruud van Nistelrooy acknowledged as much post-match, saying:
“There were phases where we were decent with and without the ball, but defensively we weren’t as solid as I would’ve liked. We allowed them too many chances and were fortunate not to concede. That has to improve.”
He also noted a key tactical change: moving to two wingers in the final 35 minutes helped control the midfield and allowed City to dictate possession—something he was most pleased with.
A Moment of Joy and Protest
There were concerns that the emotional farewell to Vardy might overshadow the deeper issues surrounding Leicester’s season—issues that fans felt warranted scrutiny during the final home game. Some feared the club hierarchy would avoid criticism amid the feel-good atmosphere.
But the fanbase managed to walk both lines: celebrating Vardy’s legacy while still voicing their frustrations. Just before his milestone strike, the chant “Stand up if you love Vardy!” rang out—only to be followed within seconds by “Sack the board!” and “We want Rudkin out!”
It was a microcosm of the supporters’ feelings: unwavering love for their legendary striker, but lingering discontent with how the club has been run. For many, Vardy’s achievements this season have come in spite of leadership, not because of it. The message was clear—while the past was worth celebrating, the future still demands change.
