Sky Sports
Jamie Vardy’s late goal helped Leicester to snatch a late 1-1 draw against 10-man Arsenal with VAR once again playing its part.
The battle for the European places was the main headline going into the game, but the sub-plot of the Golden Boot race reared its head when Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang (21) slotted home to take him one goal behind current leader Vardy.
But Arsenal were dealt a blow in the 75th minute when Eddie Nketiah was sent off just minutes after coming on as a substitute for a crunching challenge on James Justin. There was a long VAR check and use of the pitchside monitor by referee Chris Kavanagh, who ultimately decided his initial yellow card should be upgraded to a red.
VAR was involved in another big decision not long after when Vardy (84) equalised but another lengthy check deemed that Ayoze Perez – who was in an offside position as the ball was played in – did not get a touch onto the cross before his team-mate tapped home.
The goal re-established Vardy’s two-goal lead in the Golden Boot battle and more importantly, gave Leicester a four-point cushion over Manchester United in fifth but they have slipped down into fourth after Chelsea’s narrow 3-2 win against Crystal Palace earlier in the day. Arsenal remain in seventh with 50 points.Advertisement
How VAR played a part in a dramatic draw
Leicester began well in the pouring north London rain and went close twice in the opening 15 minutes. Vardy fired a volley goalwards after some poor control from David Luiz, but it went straight at Emiliano Martinez. Not long after, a short corner caught Arsenal out as Marc Albrighton’s cross found Kelechi Iheanacho at the top of the area, but Martinez stuck a foot out to see the low shot away.
But it was Arsenal who took the lead in the 21st minute. A sensational diagonal pass from Dani Ceballos picked out the run of Bukayo Saka on the right, with Caglar Soyuncu slipping on the wet surface as he tried to block the ball. This allowed Saka to drive down the wing – with Jonny Evans also slipping in the process – with his squared pass for Aubameyang emphatically slotted home by the Arsenal captain.
