Daily Dispatch

Leicester lose ground after surprise draw

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LEICESTER’S Premier League title challenge was plunged into chaos as Leonardo Ulloa rescued a dramatic 2-2 draw against West Ham after Jamie Vardy was controvers­ially sent off yesterday.

Claudio Ranieri’s leaders looked destined for a defeat at the King Power Stadium after late goals from Andy Carroll and Aaron Cresswell put the Hammers ahead following Vardy’s dismissal for diving.

Referee Jonathan Moss’s decision to give Vardy, who had opened the scoring in the first half, a second booking incensed the Leicester fans and they were even more irate when he awarded West Ham the penalty Carroll converted to equalise.

But with just seconds remaining, Moss made another crucial decision and this time it went Leicester’s way as he gave a soft penalty that substitute Ulloa drilled home to leave the Foxes eight points clear of second placed Tottenham.

Leicester embarked on a blistering counter to take the lead in the 18th minute, when N’Golo Kante measured a pass to Vardy, who took one touch inside the penalty area before driving into the far corner for his 22nd league goal.

Ranieri’s men seemed to have weathered the storm until the 83rd minute when Moss once again took centre stage.

As they contested a corner, captain Wes Morgan bundled over Winston Reid and Moss pointed to the spot for a penalty that substitute Carroll crashed by Schmeichel.

In stoppage-time Moss awarded a soft penalty for Carroll’s challenge on Jeffrey Schlupp and Ulloa held his nerve to rifle home the spotkick. — AFP

 ?? Picture: GETTY IMAGES ?? BOOM: Leicester City’s Jamie Vardy and West Ham United’s Angelo Ogbonna Obinza collide in their Premier League clash in Leicester, England, yesterday
Picture: GETTY IMAGES BOOM: Leicester City’s Jamie Vardy and West Ham United’s Angelo Ogbonna Obinza collide in their Premier League clash in Leicester, England, yesterday
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