Vardy goal replies to Yates opener in fast start to East Midlands derby

Ryan Yates struck his first goal of the season from 25 yards out to give Nottingham Forest a 16th-minute lead at Leicester City on Friday – but Jamie Vardy hit back for the Foxes within eight minutes.

Captain Yates’ low first-time shot beat goalkeeper Mads Hermansen after Facundo Buonanotte, James Justin and Ricardo Pereira all scuffed chances to clear following a Forest corner.

Visiting skipper Vardy then produced a typically sharp finish to bring City level, applying a toe to Harry Winks’ inviting cross from the left for the striker’s second goal in as many matches.

A win for Forest in the first Premier League match of the weekend would send Nuno Espirito Santo’s side fifth, while Leicester could rise as high as ninth with a third consecutive victory.

“The opportunity was perfect and he TOOK it.” 🔥

Ryan Yates puts Nottingham Forest ahead ⚽ pic.twitter.com/t0Tu2Vpb1t

— Sky Sports Premier League (@SkySportsPL) October 25, 2024

Nottingham Forest vs Leicester City: Yates strikes

Leicester’s loanee from Brighton & Hove Albion has been one of the key reasons why they have moved away from the bottom three this month but former Liverpool defender Jamie Carragher was not impressed with his part in Forest’s goal.

“Buonanotte had the chance to clear the ball but decides not to,” Carragher told Sky Sports. “It’s then a poor clearance from Justin. Yates has passed that into the net with a decent strike, going through bodies right into the corner of the goal.”

Jamie Vardy has STARTED the party with an equaliser for Leicester City! 🎉

Game on. pic.twitter.com/YVpNSCdIt6

— Sky Sports Premier League (@SkySportsPL) October 25, 2024

Promoted last season, Leicester’s only defeat in their last six matches was a late loss at title contenders Arsenal on September 28.

Having beaten Bournemouth at home through a Buonanotte strike, Steve Cooper’s side recovered from 2-0 behind last Saturday at Southampton, where Buonanotte started their comeback before Vardy levelled from the spot and Jordan Ayew scored the 98th-minute winner.

HOW has Mads Hermansen saved that? 🤯 pic.twitter.com/YQsqC0W8Js

— Sky Sports Premier League (@SkySportsPL) October 25, 2024

Forest vs Leicester: Winks assist ‘outstanding’

“Outstanding midfield play from Winks,” Carragher observed of Leicester’s goal against Forest. “He puts it in the danger area and Vardy’s at full stretch. But that’s all about the assist from Winks.”

Forest almost went ahead again immediately, Hermansen making a save which Carragher called “Schmeichel-like” – a reference to former Leicester goalkeeper Kasper or his father, Peter, who is a legend in the same position – to deny Nicolas Dominguez.

“How’s he saved that?” Carragher asked. “I was just waiting for the net to bulge. It’s absolutely outstanding.”