during the Barclays Premier League match between Manchester City and Leicester City at the Etihad Stadium on February 6, 2016 in Manchester, England.

Saturday was a huge day for Jamie Vardy and English Premier League leaders Leicester City.

First, Leicester City dominated against second-place Manchester City, winning 3-1. While Leicester didn’t really dominate the stats — 34% possession and only 188 completed passes to 481 by Manchester City — the club played direct soccer and took advantage of Manchester City’s shallow backline.

Robert Huth scored in the third minute and Leicester City didn’t let up. Their best goal was just three minutes into the second half. Riyad Mahrez went on an incredible run and faked out a couple Manchester City defenders to get a clear shot at goal. Mahrez would beat goalkeeper Joe Hart and score his 14th goal for Leicester City.

Huth scored once more, closer to the end of the game, and a Manchester City consolation goal made it a 3-1 final. The result has Leicester leading by five points over another surprising team high up in the table, Tottenham Hotspur.

Leicester City’s surprising rise to prominence prompted two unbelievable stats in modern day European soccer. On this day last year, Leicester City was last in the Premier League. Today, they are in first place. In addition, Leicester has now won 80 points from 102 since last season, right after they were last and in danger of relegating. That just doesn’t happen in soccer, but it’s happening now.

The best news of the day may have been what happened after the game. Leicester City announced that leading EPL goalscorer Jamie Vardy has signed a new deal that would keep him under contract until 2019.

This may mean many different things for the 29-year old and Leicester City. This probably won’t calm fans’ fears that Leicester City could get a big offer for Vardy this summer and sell him. If anything, signing Vardy to a longer-term deal will give Leicester City more leverage and the ability to ask for more money. If Vardy doesn’t get sold, he’ll be with Leicester City for the next few years, a boon to the club. As for Vardy, he gets rewarded for his amazing season with a pay raise. There is something for everyone.

Leicester City’s win will get people asking if the club is finally a favorite for the EPL title. Leicester City has already faced many tough games and situations, passing those tests with flying colors. They are currently in the midst of a tough 13-day stretch against Liverpool, Manchester City and Arsenal. Leicester City has now won the first two parts of that sequence. Entering the game against a struggling Arsenal team on Feb. 14, Leicester City is for real, setting themselves up for the English Premier League title as they enter the final three months of the season.

About Phillip Bupp

Producer/editor of the Awful Announcing Podcast and Short and to the Point. News editor for The Comeback and Awful Announcing. Highlight consultant for Major League Soccer as well as a freelance writer for hire. Opinions are my own but feel free to agree with them.

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