The Hammers and Foxes thrashed out a breathless 2-2 draw, as Leonardo Ulloa equalised at the death.
Well, charmed as Leicester City’s season might be, their luck only barely survived this latest test. West Ham, whose last four matches have had four or more goals scored in them, arrived to test the mettle of the champions-elect. A 1-0 result, something of a hallmark of Leicester’s last month or so, was unlikely to occur here, and didn’t as the two teams played out a bubbling frenzy of a contest, catalysed by a remarkably unhinged performance by referee Jon Moss.
The first half began slowly, with West Ham enjoying the lion’s share of possession – such is Leicester’s counter-attacking want – and threatening sporadically with it. Cheikhou Kouyate headed the ball against both posts 90 seconds into the contest, and the King Power Stadium reeled. But Leicester’s stolidness in defence and swiftness in attack eventually handed them the lead with N’Golo Kante, Jamie Vardy and Riyad Mahrez involved in a fine breakaway goal. Mahrez released Kante with a beautiful weight pass, and as the midfielder surged past Winston Reid, he tapped the ball out to Vardy on the left of the box. The Englishman finished with startling venom, confirming his return to fine goalscoring form. But West Ham were persistent, and kept Leicester at bay until half-time, and then well into the second period.
Then, the action really began. Vardy was sent off for diving, West Ham were awarded a penalty for some regulation grappling at a corner, Aaron Cresswell smashed in a stunning go-ahead goal, and Leicester were handed an equalising penalty with 20 seconds remaining in the match. Phew. It was some finale, and although it felt like a victory to the home crowd, it was, in fact, two points dropped. Tottenham can go five points behind the leaders if they beat Stoke today, with five matches remaining.
How best to digest the elite celebrity referees?
As the eyes of the world watch, with a critical match in the balance, here enters the celebrity referee, Jon Moss. In isolation his second half decisions weren’t entirely incorrect, but in totality it all coagulated into something nearing a farce. Firstly, Moss handed Vardy a second booking for diving, as Vardy and Gabriel Ogbonna tangled in the Hammers’ box. A good decision, as replays confirmed, but one wholly stunning in its audacity; Moss could easily have taken the easy way out, and simply called for a foul with no card, or whistled for a penalty, something that would have delighted the entire stadium. So, off went Vardy, and Leicester were rocked.
Then, as Wes Morgan and Winston Reid tussled during a corner, Moss pointed to the spot. Again, this is the sort of grappling that would be a foul in any other part of the pitch and, as much as we lament these acts constantly going unpunished at set pieces, no one ever expected Moss to suddenly decide to punish this one. Andy Carroll dispatched the spot kick, and Leicester were dazed and furious.
Finally, with West Ham all but counting their three points, Jeff Schlupp charged up the pitch, ball at his feet, running just inside the top left corner of the penalty area. He was met there by the vigorous body of Andy Carroll, and as Schlupp and Carroll collided, another shrill sound pierced the air, and Moss pointed to the spot once again. A soft decision, to be sure, coming just seconds before the final whistle would have. Ulloa converted, and a punch-drunk Leicester City escaped with a point. A batty, limelight-stealing display from Moss.
Is that ref on drugs
— Peter Schmeichel (@Pschmeichel1) 17 April 2016
Vardy may face sterner, more damaging, punishment
Jamie Vardy was understandably angry at Moss’s decision to give him a second yellow card for simulation. The striker, not known for restraining himself from blurting out insults at people who irritate him, visibly raged at Moss, with finger pointed, as he left the pitch. If Moss writes in his match notes that Vardy was egregious in this regard, then the Leicester City hitman may face more than just the one match ban the dismissal entails.
With his team struggling to score freely before his latest glut, an extended absence – perhaps three matches – will have a hugely damaging impact on their title tilt. As unpleasant – and worthy of further punishment – as Vardy’s behaviour was, it would be a crying shame if the whole Leicester fairy tale was derailed because of some loose lips.
Payet is suffering through a mediocre end to his season
Dimitri Payet rarely illuminated this game, with his crossing, dribbling and general attacking play leaking out at a standard far below what we’ve become accustomed to seeing. Having had such a splendid impact earlier on, his form was progressively waned ever since returning from injury in January. He has been kept buoyant by his superb set piece acumen, but even here that dwindled badly.
In the 76th minute, a free kick was won in what has become known as Payet Territory. West Ham were still a goal behind at that point, and as the away fans salivated and vibrated, Payet struck the ball high, wide and not at all handsomely. A mediocre end to this maiden season should not conceal the stunning effect he has had on the club, but it is clear his gas tank is nearly empty.
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