Ulloa sends Leicester five points clear, Villa loses again

Two weeks on from a last-gasp 2-1 defeat at Arsenal, Leicester was on course to drop points again until Leonardo Ulloa tapped in at the death to send Claudio Ranieri's side five points clear at the summit.

Published : Feb 27, 2016 23:33 IST , London

Leonardo Ulloa celebrates after scoring a late winner against Norwich City.
Leonardo Ulloa celebrates after scoring a late winner against Norwich City.
lightbox-info

Leonardo Ulloa celebrates after scoring a late winner against Norwich City.

Substitute Leonardo Ulloa scored an 89th-minute winner as Leicester City breathed fresh life into its improbable Premier League title challenge by edging Norwich City 1-0 on Saturday.

Two weeks on from a last-gasp 2-1 defeat at Arsenal, Leicester was on course to drop points again until Ulloa tapped in at the death to send Claudio Ranieri's side five points clear at the summit.

The Argentine's goal, only his third of the season, puts the pressure on Leicester's closest rivals Tottenham Hotspur and Arsenal, who host Swansea City and visit Manchester United respectively on Sunday.

Norwich's approach at the King Power Stadium gave Leicester an indication of the puzzles likely to await it over the final 11 matches of a dizzying campaign. Alex Neil's visitors lined up with a back three and sat back, forcing Leicester, who had previously averaged just 44 percent of possession in their home league games, to take the initiative.

Marc Albrighton went close for Leicester with a free-kick from wide on the left, but the best chance of the first half fell to Norwich's Cameron Jerome, who headed inches wide from Robbie Brady's corner.

Encouraged by Riyad Mahrez, Leicester took hold of the game in the second period, with visiting goalkeeper John Ruddy saving from Jamie Vardy and Albrighton.

Nathan Redmond went close to snatching victory for Norwich when he flashed a shot wide, but the host had the last word when Ulloa ghosted in at the back post to apply the finishing touch to Albrighton's right-wing cross.

>Leicester City 1-0 Norwich

Marko Arnautovic scored twice as Stoke City won 2-1 at home to bottom club Aston Villa, who replied through Leandro Bacuna, while Watford and Bournemouth drew 0-0 at Vicarage Road.

In the day's late game, West Bromwich Albion held on for dear life to beat Crystal Palace 3-2. The Baggies took a 3-0 lead before half-time but were pegged back by two Connor Wickham goals.

>Watford 0-0 Bournemouth

>Stoke City 2-1 Aston Villa

>West Bromwich Albion 3-2 Crystal Palace

Sign in to unlock all user benefits
  • Get notified on top games and events
  • Save stories to read later
  • Access to comment on every story
  • Sign up / manage to our newsletters with a single click
  • Get notified by email for early bird access to discounts & offers to our products
Sign in

Comments

Comments have to be in English, and in full sentences. They cannot be abusive or personal. Please abide to our community guidelines for posting your comment