While Leicester City have relentlessly marched towards the title in recent weeks, one man’s name has been notable in its absence from the scoresheet despite their superb form. Having gone six games without a goal, some questioned whether the Foxes could realistically finish the job without their talisman Jamie Vardy helping them along the way.

But at the Stadium of Light the England striker stepped up and secured three points from a game that looked destined to end in stalemate. Claudio Ranieri’s side struggled to break down a stubborn Sunderland defence for much of the afternoon on Wearside, but in Vardy they have a player capable of match-winning moments.

Like many of his goals during this memorable campaign, it was his willingness to lurk by the last defender and back himself to win in a footrace that proved the key for his opener. Younes Kaboul does not have the pace to match Vardy, and there are few more clinical than the former Fleetwood Town man when faced with a one-on-one with the goalkeeper.

He has now found the net 21 times in the Premier League this season, becoming the first Leicester player to reach the milestone of 20 in the club’s history. His run of scoring in 11 straight matches was certainly his most memorable period of the campaign, but his ability to make the difference when his team-mates are struggling is why Ranieri’s side are where they are.

His goals have won Leicester 14 points of the 72 they have earned while also contributing to comeback wins over the likes of Aston Villa and more dominant performances against Newcastle. Great title-winning sides rarely do so without a player who can find the back of net when all else seems lost. Thierry Henry, Ruud van Nistelrooy and Didier Drogba may go down as more cultured forwards, but Vardy would have rivalled any one of them in the form he has shown this season.

And while the goals have not flowed in recent weeks, Vardy’s performances have not been questioned. Crucial assists against Norwich City and Crystal Palace laid on the winning goals while he has shown no signs of slowing down in terms of work-rate. Even after playing twice for England during the international break he has looked as sharp as ever.

Behind Vardy, Leicester again showed the steel required at this crucial juncture of any league season. They have conceded just two goals in seven matches since defeat to Arsenal, winning five of those matches by one goal to nil. Kasper Schmeichel and his defence have been imperious while Danny Drinkwater and N’Golo Kante are two of the biggest nuisances when it comes to winning the ball back and recycling it in midfield.

They are far more than a striker enjoying the best season of his career, but Sunday was a day in the sun for the striking sensation. His finishing was in stark contrast to that of Jack Rodwell who really should have equalised with the score at 1-0. But Leicester deserve the luck this season even if it costs their opponents a place alongside them in the Premier League in 2016-17.

Just three more wins are required to complete the impossible, and that is only if Tottenham can retain a 100 per cent record from a run of very difficult fixtures. It is not beyond the realms of possibility Leicester could have it all wrapped up by the end of April. And few would deserve it more than Jamie Vardy for his contribution towards the fairytale ending.