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Tom Hamilton, Senior Writer
Jamie Vardy completed his return to the Premier League with a goal to secure a point for Leicester City against Tottenham Hotspur and left his mark on the occasion by also goading the Spurs away fans when he was substituted with 11 minutes of the match left.
Vardy, 37, didn’t play a minute of preseason football for Leicester but was named up front for their Premier League opener, a 1-1 draw on Monday at the King Power Stadium. Vardy was part of their title-winning team in 2016 and was back in the top flight with Leicester after they were promoted from the Championship last season.
He scored Leicester’s equaliser in the 57th minute with a well-placed header — after he was pictured drinking a can of Red Bull at half time as he left the dressing room — and was substituted in the 79th-minute to a standing ovation.
As he left the pitch he was jeered by the travelling Tottenham fans and he appeared to goad them further by pointing at the Premier League badge on his arm and holding up one finger, seemingly referring to the title they won in 2016. He then pointed at the Spurs fans — a club who are yet to win a Premier League title — made a zero sign with his finger and walked off.
“You take a bit of stick during the game, but it’s part of football,” Vardy said. “As long as they can take it when I’m giving it back, that’s all that matters.”
Vardy was also seen in a verbal altercation with Tottenham defender Cristian Romero as he left the pitch.
“I see it [age] as just a number. As long as I keep looking after myself and my legs keep feeling great, then I will carry on for as long as is physically possible,” Vardy said afterwards.
“I wouldn’t say I am doing anything differently playing-wise. Probably adapted a bit by dropping in but I think the main thing is I am looking after myself recovery-wise to the maximum. I was as fit as a fiddle until I got to about 65 minutes, if I’m honest!”