Ulloa rescues 10-man Leicester in controversial draw

LEICESTER, (United Kingdom): 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 on Sunday.

Claudio Ranieri’s leaders looked destined for a damaging 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 that 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.

It summed up the astonishing nature of the finale that Moss was still booed off despite his late gift to Leicester, whose lead at the top will be cut to five points with four games remaining if Tottenham win at Stoke on Monday.

Vardy’s suspension next week against Swansea just adds another twist to an incredible title race.

Meanwhile at Bournemouth, Daniel Sturridge provided more evidence his fitness problems are behind him after an injury-scarred season, setting up Robert Firmino’s opening goal before adding the second in Liverpool’s 2-1 victory.

The England striker proved to be the difference with Sturridge’s header in first-half added-time putting Liverpool in control five minutes after Firmino had opened the scoring.

That allowed Jurgen Klopp’s side to survive a late Bournemouth rally after Joshua King’s stoppage-time reply towards full-time.

Sturridge was starting his fourth successive Premier League game for the first time in four years. After struggling with muscle and hip problems this season, the forward looks as though he is nearing his best, news which will be welcomed by England coach Roy Hodgson.

The striker had started on the bench in Thursday’s dramatic Europa League win over Borussia Dortmund and was handed a starting chance as Klopp rang the changes, with the manager’s team selection reflecting Liverpool’s demanding week.

Of the starting eleven that lined up against the Bundesliga side, only Firmino retained his place as former Dortmund manager Klopp drew on the fringes of his squad to protect the legs of some of his senior players while Emre Can was ruled out with an ankle injury that will keep him sidelined for four weeks.

Danny Ward, the 22-year-old goalkeeper, came in for Simon Mignolet while youngsters Brad Smith, Connor Randall, Kevin Stewart and Sheyi Ojo also started.

Klopp’s side were hoping to maintain the momentum generated by successive victories and a run that had brought just one defeat in the previous 15 games in all competitions. - AFP English Premier League results LONDON: English Premier League results on Sunday: Bournemouth 1 (King 90+3) Liverpool 2 (Firmino 41, Sturridge 45) Leicester 2 (Vardy 18, Ulloa 90+5-pen) West Ham 2 (Carroll 84-pen, Cresswell 86) Playing Tuesday Stoke v Tottenham (3am) Played Saturday Chelsea 0 Manchester City 3 (Aguero 33, 54, 80-pen) Everton 1 (Funes Mori 68) Southampton 1 (Mane 76) Manchester United 1 (Rashford 32) Aston Villa 0 Newcastle 3 (Lascelles 41, Sissoko 82, Townsend 89) Swansea 0 Norwich 0 Sunderland 3 (Borini 41-pen, Defoe 53, Watmore 90+1) West Brom 0 Watford 1 (Watson 27) - AFP