Ulloa rescues 10-man Leicester in controversial draw

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. Right from the opening minutes it was clear Leicester’s astonishing march towards the title was about to become even more enthralling. When Cheikhou Kouyate met Dimitri Payet’s free-kick with a powerful header, a goal seemed certain, yet Kasper Schmeichel somehow got a fingertip on the ball to push it onto a post. It then bounced along the goal-line before rebounding off the other post and back in the grateful arms of the Leicester goalkeeper.