THRILLER IN THE MIST

Veteran Vardy joins party as Foxes finally end barren run

- Neil Squires

LEICESTER.........6
JUSTIN 9, 63, MAVIDIDI 37, BUONANOTTE 38, VARDY 51 (PEN), FAES 90 ❱ VARANE 18, KOLLI 45

QPR...................2

IT was a happy 38th birthday for Jamie Vardy as the Leicester captain helped end a five-game losing streak with a resounding FA Cup win over QPR.

Vardy’s 51st-minute penalty – his seventh goal of the season – gave his side the cushion they needed after an unconvincing first half and they cut loose afterwards to reach the fourth round.

James Justin added his second of the game 12 minutes later and Wout Faes put the cherry on top with a blockbuster sixth from 30 yards in added time.

Leicester boss Ruud van Nistelrooy, desperate to turn the tide for his relegation-threatened side, resisted the temptation to mothball his top players and the strong side he put out ultimately had too much for the Championship visitors.