Welbeck, Eriksen give Arsenal, Spurs title edge

LONDON: Arsenal’s Danny Welbeck and Tottenham Hotspur’s Christian Eriksen were the toast of north London on Sunday after scoring potentially pivotal late winning goals in the Premier League title race.

Welbeck headed in a heartstopping 95th-minute winner to give Arsenal a last-gasp 21 win over leaders Leicester City, while Eriksen struck in the 83rd minute to earn Tottenham a 2-1 victory at Manchester City on his 24th birthday.

The results of a momentous day left surprise pace-setters Leicester just two points clear of Tottenham and Arsenal, while City’s titles hopes took a heavy blow as they were left six points off the pace.

Welbeck was making his comeback after a long layoff with a knee injury and manager Arsene Wenger said: “Everyone is extremely happy for him because he’s been out for 10 months. That’s an eternity for a player.”

Wenger added: “It was a pivotal moment today because the mathematics meant it could be eight points or it could be two points. That is a great change.”

Leicester took the lead on the stroke of half-time when Jamie Vardy drilled home his 19th goal of the campaign from the penalty spot after he had been felled by Nacho Monreal.

But Danny Simpson’s 54thminute dismissal after quickfire yellow cards gave Arsenal the momentum and substitute Theo Walcott equalised 20 minutes from time before Welbeck sent the Emirates Stadium into raptures.

Leicester manager Claudio Ranieri felt that referee Martin Atkinson had been overzealous in dismissing Simpson after the right-back tripped Alexis Sanchez and then dragged back Olivier Giroud.

“They were normal fouls, but not yellow cards,” said the Italian.

“I think the referee was too severe to us for the sendingoff. Eleven v 11, I’m sure we win the match.”

The referee also found himself in the spotlight at the Etihad Stadium, where Eriksen’s late goal took Spurs above Arsenal on goal difference and left City four points below them.

Harry Kane put Spurs ahead with a 53rd-minute penalty after referee Mark Clattenburg penalised Raheem Sterling for handball from Danny Rose’s cross, despite the ball seeming to strike his flank.

After Yaya Toure had wobbled the crossbar for City with a free-kick, substitute Kelechi Iheanacho equalised in the 74th minute by slamming Gael Clichy’s cut-back into the roof of the net.

But Eriksen had the final say for Mauricio Pochettino’s side, gathering Erik Lamela’s fine through-ball and steering a shot past Joe Hart to fire Spurs’ hopes of a first league crown since 1961.