Ulloa salvages point for Leicester
Print Edition
LEICESTER City forward Leonardo Ulloa scored a penalty in the fifth minute of stoppage time to rescue a 2-2 draw for the English Premier League leader against West Ham United after top-scorer Jamie Vardy was sent off yesterday.
And by avoiding a first loss in two months, Leicester extended its lead to eight points ahead of second-place Tottenham playing at Stoke City today.
“We showed again our team spirit and togetherness,” Leicester defender Danny Simpson said. “We know we always fight to the death and that’s what we did.”
Leicester had been on a serene march to a first league title in its 132-year history until this game of divisive refereeing and late drama.
The result swung on three penalty calls, with the first not given by referee Jonathan Moss in the 54th minute when Vardy was adjudged to have dived and the striker was shown a second yellow card.
Vardy had already contributed his 22nd goal of the campaign in the first half. Leicester clung on for more than 30 minutes to protect its lead until the 84th when Andy Carroll netted from the spot after home captain Wes Morgan shoved Winston Reid over.
It was the first goal Leicester goalkeeper Kasper Schmeichel had conceded in 574 minutes and he was beaten again two minutes later. Aaron Cresswell appeared to have ended Leicester’s seven-match unbeaten streak when he put sixth-place West Ham in front by striking into the top corner.
But deep in stoppage time came a lifeline for Leicester when Moss this time awarded the hosts a penalty. Carroll shoved Jeffrey Schlupp off the ball and substitute Ulloa converted from the spot for his fourth goal of the season.
“The sending-off changed the whole match, but I judge my players, not the referee,” Leicester coach Ranieri said without commenting on the red card.
Meanwhile, when he’s not injured, Daniel Sturridge is making a strong case to feature for England at the European Championship, scoring one goal and setting up Roberto Firmino for the opener in Liverpool’s 2-1 victory at Bournemouth in the day’s other early game.
Arsenal was hosting Crystal Palace later.
Joshua King grabbed a fine consolation in the third minute of injury time, very briefly threatening to spoil what has been an impressive week for Liverpool, ahead of the Merseyside derby against Everton at Anfield on Wednesday.
Liverpool can still reach at least the top six under Juergen Klopp, who made 10 changes to the team which defeated Borussia Dortmund 4-3 on Thursday in the Europa League.
Liverpool is tied for seventh with Southampton, while newly promoted Bournemouth appears already confident of survival in the league.
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