Red card for Vardy but Leicester see the light

Of all the improbable sights to which Leicester have treated us in 2016, here might have been the most implausible of the lot as the incandescent Ranieri had to be hauled away from Pawson by goalkeeper Kasper Schmeichel, as the officials waited for their security entourage to lead them down the tunnel.

The focal point of what had been an entertaining but unremarkable game to that point, came when Vardy launched himself in an ill-advised attempt to win the ball off Diouf. It was certainly a two-footed challenge, although the consensus was that Vardy could consider himself harshly done by to receive more than a yellow card as his assault did not appear malicious.

“People are trying to say he [Vardy] was pushed and that was the reason he jumped in two feet off the ground,” argued Stoke manager Mark Hughes.

“I’ve seen the incident and it looked to me like he had two straight legs, he was off the ground and out of control. I can understand, there have been a couple of incidents where players have done similar and got away with a yellow card. They were deemed to be wrong, so this time the referee got it right.”

Ranieri, predictably, had a different interpretation and, certainly, Vardy’s contact with Glen Johnson before he attempted to tackle Diouf may have contributed to the awkward challenge. “Maybe, for me, there was a big challenge between Johnson and Vardy,” he said. “Johnson pushed Vardy, Vardy wanted to get the ball and he touched the ball. Maybe it was a yellow.”

Regardless, Pawson’s experience in midweek must surely have been playing on his mind as he dismissed Vardy and precipitated the ensuing carnage.

First, Stoke took the lead. Pawson — correctly — judged that Danny Simpson had handled Bojan’s left-flank cross and awarded a penalty from which the Spaniard calmly shot Stoke in front after 39 minutes.

Leicester, however, were on their way to meltdown by this stage, spurred on, no doubt, by the massed ranks of their supporters behind the goal they were defending. Simpson was cautioned for his handball and, before Pawson blew his whistle for the final time in the half, four teammates would follow suit — Islam Slimani, Andy King, Christian Fuchs and Marc Albrighton — leading to the half-time scenes that will surely interest the FA.

There was also time for a second Stoke goal as a short free-kick was delivered to Giannelli Imbula, whose terrific strike thundered against a post, and Schmeichel, before rebounding for Joe Allen to tap the ball into an open goal.

Moments later, at the whistle, Leicester players surrounded Pawson, led by Slimani who was physically pulled away by coach Mike Stowell. Ranieri himself, usually a vision of studied composure, remonstrated with the official before being led down the tunnel.

Unfortunately for Pawson, he still had to face Leicester’s supporters, in the corner where the tunnel is situated. Stewards held back furious fans, and security personnel had to duck as objects seemed to be thrown.

But whatever anger Ranieri displayed at Pawson, he channeled it appropriately into his half-time team talk. His introduction of Leonardo Ulloa and Demarai Gray on 72 minutes proved inspired, their first touches bringing about a goal as the latter crossed, the former headed from six yards and goalline technology showed Ryan Shawcross had failed to stop the ball crossing the line.

Similar, and better, was to follow for the Foxes two minutes from time when Fuchs’s hanging cross was met by Daniel Amartey, whose towering header flew past Lee Grant.

“The match changed after the sending-off,” said Ranieri. “Then my players were so nervous and after the penalty we lost our calm, our shape, everything.

“But in the dressing room we started to think what was best for the match and they showed a very fantastic performance. I talked about staying calm.”

Feet up for Boxing Day

Jamie Vardy joined a long list of players — led by Manchester City’s serial offender Sergio Aguero — putting their feet up on Boxing Day. Not that we are suggesting any motive for the timing of these bans. The Leicester forward’s dismissal means he is out of the match with Everton in eight days, along with teammates Christian Fuchs and Robert Huth, who received fifth bookings of the season. Five yellows also eliminate Chelsea’s Diego Costa and N’Golo Kante from Boxing Day duty.

Star man: Kasper Schmeichel (Leicester)