Even aged 36, Jamie Vardy still gets the same kick out of scoring a goal as at any stage in his prolific career.

So when the Leicester City frontman misses what he'd consider a sitter, it can't go unpunished.

When Vardy squandered a golden opportunity during Saturday's Championship clash with Watford, he responded first by collapsing to the turf in frustration and then by punching himself in the face.

Walking away having failed to convert a Stephy Mavididi cross that sat up perfectly for him just six yards out, Vardy swung his gloved fist and appeared to sock himself one right in the eye.

His unorthodox self-punishment seemed to do the trick, however, as the former England striker later netted twice to earn Enzo Maresca's side a 2-0 win at the King Power Stadium.

It represented the perfect response for the Foxes, who lost back-to-back games against Leeds United and Middlesbrough before the internationals.

It also left the promotion favorites three points clear at the top after second-placed Ipswich Town went down 2-0 at West Bromwich Albion later in the day.

Making the weekend even better for Leicester, third-placed Leeds United are now 10 points behind them after they could only draw 1-1 with lowly Rotherham United on Friday night.

Vardy's uncharacteristic miss came with 17 minutes to go but on 76 minutes he prodded home Leicester's opener from a similar position after Jannik Vestergaard's header was pushed out by Hornets keeper Daniel Bachmann straight to him.

Vardy then won Leicester a penalty deep into stoppage time when Bachmann clipped him and was given his marching orders.

With defender Ryan Porteous forced to don the gloves, Vardy hammered home his seventh goal of the season from 12 yards.

Maresca said afterward: 'When I saw Jamie missing twice, I thought it was not going to happen, but Jamie has scored goals all his life and he will continue to do so.

'This is the reason why he's Jamie Vardy. He's scored more than 100 goals in the Premier League and he has always scored goals in his life.

'You have to be there. You missed a chance and then he was there again. That was the most important thing. He missed a chance and he was in the right position.

'When you are in the right position inside the box you can miss and in the end, you are going to find the goal.'