Jamie Vardy scored his 200th goal for Leicester on his 500th and final Foxes appearance

Vardy scores 200th Leicester goal in farewell win 2-0

Jamie Vardy signed off at Leicester City in trademark style as he scored his 200th goal for the Foxes in a 2-0 victory over Ipswich Town.

The 38-year-old striker netted his 10th goal of the season as the hosts eased past the Tractor Boys in his 500th – and final – appearance for the club.

Vardy, the last of Leicester’s historic title winners from 2016 still at City, will leave at the end of his contract and will not play in next Sunday’s final game at Bournemouth, preferring to finish his Foxes career at King Power Stadium.

Kasey McAteer added a second goal but the day belonged to Vardy.

Exactly thirteen years since he signed from Fleetwood for £1m the club celebrated the former England international – who was given a guard of honour by his team-mates when substituted with 10 minutes left.

Thousands of flags were given to supporters bearing the words ‘Thank you Vards’, while banners of the forward were hoisted at both ends of the ground pre-match.

All that was needed was a goal – and Vardy delivered when he rolled in past Alex Palmer after 28 minutes, following James Justin’s 50-yard run.

Ipswich had their chances to spoil the party, with Leif Davis striking the post and Omari Hutchinson blazing over just before half-time.

McAteer also hit the post for the Foxes before the midfielder made it 2-0 in the second half, rifling in from a tight angle.

The game was a sideshow, though, with the focus on Vardy as Leicester climbed above Ipswich into 18th.

Leicester must look for new hero

Leicester have a void to fill on and off the pitch without Vardy.

A dominant character who has spearheaded Leicester’s historic past decade must now plot a course without a striker they recognise as their best ever player.

Following a nervy start, with Vardy doubting himself after arriving from Fleetwood in 2012, he has always delivered for the Foxes and did so one final time on Sunday with his 200th goal for the club.

To say he would walk away a Premier League and FA Cup winner would have likely seen you laughed out of town.

The former England international will forever be remembered by the club as a talisman who took them to heights they could scarcely have dreamed of.

As they head back to the Championship the Foxes need to find a new hero they can pin their hopes on, who fans can identify with in a time of a fractured relationship with the club’s hierarchy.

Ipswich feel in good shape to bounce back

It will be a forgettable day for Ipswich, not one they remember with any great fondness – if at all.

They will be back at the King Power in the Championship next season with the expectation these two teams will be fighting for an immediate return to the Premier League.

Liam Delap was left on the bench until 19 minutes from time, giving the travelling fans a sense of what it will be like without him next season – the striker has a £30m release clause now Ipswich have been relegated and is expected to move.

Like Leicester, they will need to plug the gap Delap leaves, but the club remains confident they are in the best shape to bounce back above all the relegated teams.

Disharmony and uncertainty remains at Leicester while Southampton are still searching for a new manager, having only just avoided the Premier League’s record low points total.

In contrast, Ipswich feel united and despite failing to stay up there is a sense at Portman Road they are well-equipped to come straight back.