Leicester tragedy dominates as Reds, Gunners battle to a draw
● Leicester paid an emotional tribute to Vichai Srivaddhanaprabha as the griefstricken club won 1-0 at Cardiff following their owner’s tragic death, while Alexandre Lacazette’s late equaliser gave Arsenal a 1-1 draw against new Premier League leaders Liverpool last night.
Thai billionaire Vichai was among five people killed when his helicopter crashed outside Leicester’s King Power Stadium after last Saturday’s match against West Ham.
It was fitting that Leicester took the points in their first match since Vichai’s death, thanks to Demarai Gray’s second-half winner at the Cardiff City Stadium. Leicester goalkeeper Kasper Schmeichel felt the tragedy more than most as he witnessed the immediate aftermath of the crash moments after the helicopter went down.
Claude Puel’s team, playing with poise and desire despite their traumatic week, finally had a cathartic moment in the 55th minute. A superb cross from Ben Chilwell was finished off by Gray, who celebrated by lifting his shirt to reveal a message that read “For Vichai”.
It earned Gray a booking from referee Lee Probert in a move that followed the letter of the law, but showed little common sense given the circumstances.
Leicester’s players huddled together in celebration at full-time, with many of them due to fly to Thailand to join Vichai’s funeral immediately after the game.
On any other weekend the showdown between revitalised Arsenal and title-chasing Liverpool would have hogged the spotlight which instead shone on Leicester.
The Emirates Stadium clash proved a classic encounter as Arsenal showed they are capable of going toe to toe with the top four after years of underachievement.
Unai Emery’s side fell behind to James Milner’s clinical finish after Bernd Leno pushed out Sadio Mane’s cross in the 61st minute. But fourth-placed Arsenal extended their unbeaten run in all competitions to 14 games as French striker Lacazette smashed home from a tight angle in the 82nd minute.
Liverpool, unbeaten in 11 league games this season, move one point above Manchester City, who would reclaim top spot if they avoid defeat against Southampton today.
At Dean Court, Marcus Rashford’s closerange finish in stoppage time helped Manchester United hit back to win 2-1 after a dismal opening period.
Callum Wilson’s 11th-minute opener for Bournemouth was cancelled out by Anthony Martial’s 35th-minute effort as United survived a series of missed chances from the hosts.
It was United’s third victory in their last four league games, but boss Jose Mourinho was furious with his side’s sloppy start.
“I said at half-time I was the luckiest manager in the Premier League in a half when the score should be like 6-2,” Mourinho said.
“We were defensively awful. The first half was a disaster. The second half was much better.”
Newcastle earned their first league win this season as Ayoze Perez’s 66th-minute header sealed a 1-0 success against Watford at St James’ Park.
After 10 matches without a victory, Rafael Benitez’s side finally broke their duck to climb out of the relegation zone.
Richarlison’s brace inspired Everton’s 3-1 win over Brighton .
West Ham ended a three-match winless league run with a 4-2 victory against Burnley.