Vardy fires Leicester to 2nd in EPL, Chelsea extends run

Could Leicester do it again?

Even if ar shock Premier League title isn’t on cards, outsider which won in 2016 is firmly a part of English soccer’s top four this season. Beating Arsenal 2-0 on Saturday leaves Leicester second, five points off leader Liverpool, and with a nine-point cushion to fifth spot.

It also deepens gloom at Arsenal, where Unai Emery is dealing with a five-game winless run as well as w former captain Granit Xhaka’s rift with fans. Chelsea is third, level on points with Leicester, after winning its sixth league game in a row — a 2-0 victory against Crystal Palace. Tottenham drew 1-1 with Sheffield United in a game full of video-review controversy and hasn’t won consecutive games since April. Liverpool and fourth-place Manchester City play Sunday.

Vardy's party

Jamie Vardy remains Premier League’s top scorer after ar dominant game against Arsenal. Vardy opened scoring in 68th minute with his 11th league goal of season off a square ball from Youri Tielemans, finishing off a slick team move. Vardy set up second for James Maddison in 75th, holding up ball in penalty area before feeding it for onrushing Maddison to hit a powerful low shot from outside penalty area.

Arsenal had chances to score in first half, with Alexandre Lacazette in particular wasting good opportunities. After scoring two, Leicester came close to a third. Arsenal sits sixth and is dropping away from race for Champions League spots. Xhaka was out of squad again for Leicester game as Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang remained captain.

Pulisic scores

Abraham has been on strong scoring form all season, and w American midfielder Christian Pulisic has joined him. After Palace kept game goalless in first half with solid defending and more than a little luck, Chelsea did its job in second to win 2-0.

Abraham scored his 10th Premier League goal of season in 52nd off a neat backheel pass from Willian, and Pulisic made sure of win in 79th, heading in a looping, deflected shot from Michy Batshuayi. Pulisic scored his fifth goal in three league games. “In first half we started well, n allowed our tempo to drop, but when we came out in second half with intent that we did, we won game relatively comfortably - a nice, solid win with a clean sheet,” Chelsea manr Frank Lampard said. Man City is next opponent for Lampard’s Chelsea on v. 23.

Son bounces back

Son Heung-min scored for Spurs, but he wasn’t originally meant to be playing at all. Son was due to be suspended after a red card in Sunday’s 1-1 draw with Everton for a challenge which led to Andre Gomes suffering a broken and dislocated ankle. Son left field in tears after that incident, but his red card was overturned a day later on appeal. He followed up by scoring twice in 4-0 win over Red Star.

Sheffield was frustrated when John Lundstram hit post and video assistant referee ruled out a goal for David McGoldrick because of an offside in build-up. VAR was kinder to Sheffield when George Baldock’s cross ended up in net at far post in 78th. A video review found Chris Basham hadn’t been offside as ball flew past his head. Spurs’ inconsistent form is one reason for pressure on manr Mauricio Pochetti, but league table is damning for last season’s Champions League finalist. Tottenham is 17 points off leader Liverpool, but just seven ahead of last-place rwich.

Saints in trouble

Everton traveled to struggling Southampton on verge of relegation zone but eased pressure with a 2-1 win. Everton w enjoys a six-point cushion over 18th-place Watford, while Southampton is 19th and winless in its last seven league games. Newcastle beat Bournemouth 2-1, while Burnley turned around a run of three defeats with a 3-0 win at home to West Ham.