Leicester City manager Brendan Rodgers left star striker Jamie Vardy on the bench for the entire duration of the Newcastle United game at the King Power Stadium on Sunday. England striker Vardy started a second successive Premier League game on the bench as Leicester City thrashed Newcastle United 4-0 at home to move into the top half of the table.

England attacker Vardy was left on the bench for the away game against Aston Villa penultimate weekend. He was introduced into the Villa game in the second half with Leicester City losing 2-1 despite taking the lead. In the end, Vardy could not rescue a point for his team as the Foxes’ inconsistent season continued with a slim defeat during the game that produced three goals. England international Harvey Barnes gave Leicester City the lead before a pair of goals from Villa defender EzriKonsa turned the game on its head.

For the Newcastle United game, in-form Leicester City midfielder James Maddison won a controversial penalty in the first half and it was dispatched by Belgian international YouriTielemans to give the Foxes a slender lead at the half-time interval.

Zambia international PatsonDaka has started the last two league games in the place of England striker Vardy and he scored the second Leicester City goal off the assist from Barnes before Tielemans and Maddison added goals to make it a comprehensive win for the Foxes at the expense of Newcastle United.

Leicester City have been consistently inconsistent in the Premier League this season, but the win over the Magpies took them to eighth spot and within six points of West Ham United in fourth spot as the race for the top four gathers momentum.

Vardy was an unused substitute against the Magpies as he was unable to add to his Premier League tally of nine goals.