Philippa Kaur

HOW many more scripts has Jamie Vardy got left in him?Once again, the Leicester City legend, 38 next month, rode to the rescue to make sure new boss Ruud van Nistelrooy stayed unbeaten after two games.First Foxes scorer Jamie Vardy helps Bobby De-Cordova Reid celebrate a stoppage-time point-saver that the ex-England striker teed upCredit: ReutersDe Cordova-Reid sparked mayhem with this 91st-minute equaliserCredit: RexRuud van Nistelrooy saw Leicester snatch a dramatic pointCredit: PABrighton were cruising to victory – and fifth place in the Premier League – thanks to Tariq Lamptey’s first-half super strike and sub Yankuba Minteh.But Fabian Hurzeler’s side took their foot off the gas – and Vardy needed no second invitation.Leicester levelled it up with two goals in the space of five minutes late on – and Vardy played his part in both of them.He gave the Foxes hope after 86 minutes when he latched on to a pass from Bobby De Cordova-Reid and netted from close range.READ MORE IN FOOTBALLThen, in the first minute of stoppage time, Vardy turned provider to set up De Cordova-Reid to send the King Power Stadium wild.Until then, the closest Leicester had come to scoring was when James Justin’s header brought a save from Brighton keeper Bart Verbruggen.Brighton were in control throughout until the latter stages – and unlike West Ham in midweek – they had made their dominance count.They took the lead before the break with a beautifully-struck left-foot shot from Lamptey which gave the reliable Foxes keeper Mads Hermansen no chance.Most read in FootballMads Hermansen had little chance with Tariq Lamptey’s wonder strikeCredit: RexFOOTBALL FREE BETS AND SIGN UP DEALSAnd with 11 minutes left, Minteh was set up by Pervis Estupian and doggedly battled to create the chance for number two, just nine minutes after coming on.But then came Leicester’s stirring fightback.Graham Potter admits he’s ‘looking at things’ as speculation intensifies that he’ll replace Julen Lopetegui at West HamAnd while van Nistelrooy has problems he needs to address if Leicester are to stay up, he will know his squad lacks nothing when it comes to spirit.Brighton’s two dropped points prevented them moving fifth, while the Foxes have now edged five points clear of the drop zone.The sharpshooter was the Foxes’ key man late onLamptey is mobbed after his spectacular opener for BrightonCredit: Getty More

LEICESTER’S late double kept Ruud van Nistelrooy’s honeymoon period in charge alive.Jamie Vardy and Bobby Cordova-Reid sparked wild scenes by cancelling out brilliant solo goals from Tariq Lamptey and Yankuba Minteh.First Foxes scorer Jamie Vardy helps Bobby De-Cordova celebrate a stoppage-time leveller that the ex-England striker teed upCredit: ReutersRuud van Nistelrooy saw Leicester snatch a dramatic pointCredit: PATariq Lamptey celebrated a spectacular opener for BrightonCredit: GettyLamptey notched a solo opener for the Seagulls on 37 minutes.Pervis Estupinan switched play from right to left to right to find him.Lamptey then wafted inside to curl a stunner into the far corner.The Foxes began the second period brightly but appeared to have been killed off by another individual goal on 80 minutes.READ MORE IN FOOTBALLMinteh picked up a long ball over the top, beat Victor Kristiansen no less than three times and smashed Brighton’s second goal past Mads Hermansen.But six minutes later Justin James saw his high ball deflected to Vardy for a razor-sharp finish – after the legendary finisher had few opportunities all match.And De Cordova-Reid tapped the equaliser a minute into stoppage-time – teed up by Vardy.Graham Potter admits he’s ‘looking at things’ as speculation intensifies that he’ll replace Julen Lopetegui at West Ham More

SET-PIECE again, Ole Ole.The new go-to chant for Arsenal fans was bellowed once more in the away end at Craven Cottage – William Saliba’s 52nd minute tap-in providing further clout for their ‘corner kings’ label in the Prem.Arsenal were denied a later winner against FulhamCredit: ReutersOn this occasion however, it was not enough for the win – more points dropped in this intriguing and unpredictable title race just when the Gunners were beginning to build some momentum.Saliba’s second goal in two games – after another corner finish in the 2-0 win over Manchester United in mid-week – cancelled out an 11th minute strike from Raul Jimenez.It was a struggling away-day performance from Arsenal, almost saved by an 89th minute winner from Bukayo Saka only for VAR to heartbreakingly spot an offside in the build-up.A run of four victories on the spin in all competitions has been halted. Six points off leaders Liverpool who have a game in hand after their Merseyside derby postponement.READ MORE IN football Even boss Mikel Arteta must now concede that the Reds are hot favourites. This is their title to throw away, especially with Manchester City floundering and Chelsea still an unknown prospect.They top the set-piece charts – now 23 goals from corners since the start of the 2022/23 campaign and seven this term – but Arsenal are still lacking that extra edge needed to get over the line when it matters most.Arteta says he wants his boys to be the ‘kings of everything’. They are still some way from achieving that.As for Fulham, they are now unbeaten in their last nine London derbies and can start to dream of qualifying for Europe next year. What a job Marco Silva is doing in West London.Most read in FootballCASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO WELCOME OFFERSJimenez was one of four changes made by the Portuguese coach having been dropped for the 3-1 win over Brighton here in mid-week.Arteta also shuffled his pack, but not by choice. Gabriel and Riccardo Calafiori were absent once more with Oleksandr Zinchenko also dropping out with a knock.I was sacked as a factory worker, the next day I had trials at Arsenal – I was gobsmackedNot for the first time this term, Arsenal’s back four as a result was makeshift. Thomas Partey slotted in at right-back yet again with Jakub Kiwior continuing at centre back alongside William Saliba.Yet the visitors were riding high from their recent set-piece masterclass to beat Manchester United 2-0 at the Emirates – and got their first corner inside the first three minutes.The away end sung their set-piece chant, only to watch their dead-ball specialists struggle to produce more golden moments inside the first 45 minutes.Fulham, unlike United, had done their homework and were prepared, sacrificing three players to stand on the front post as blockers while Adama Traore man-marked a roaming Saliba.And perhaps the weather from storm Darragh was playing its part, something Arteta claimed pre-match would take some adapting to.But given Arsenal’s control early on, there was no panic from the bench – that was until Jimenez was put in behind on a rare Fulham foray forward.Raul Jimenez opened the scoring for FulhamCredit: PAJimene celebrates with former Gunner Alex IwobiCredit: AFPPoland international Kiwior was starting successive Prem games at centre back for the first time since May 2023, and has previous at this ground – hauled off at half-time in this fixture 12 months ago in a damaging 2-1 defeat.And he was at fault again, allowing Mexican big-man Jimenez to chest down a long ball from Leno with little challenge before letting him spin in behind from an unspectacular pass from Tete.The finish was brilliant, however, with one touch to settle himself and another to fire across a helpless David Raya into the far side-netting for his first goal in seven outings.In the miserable wind and rain engulfing the Cottage, Arsenal’s initial composure was gone. Their game turned ragged as they tried to orchestrate a comeback.Partey drove forward and lost possession, giving Traore a chance to nearly sneak Jimenez in again for but a fine recovery tackle by Saliba.They were soon back in their dominant groove. A Bukayo Saka cross almost found the head of Kai Havertz but for Calvin Bassey’s timely interception.William Saliba levelled for ArsenalCredit: GettyThe game was back on in West LondonCredit: ReutersLeandro Trossard then turned provider, putting balls on a plate for Saka and Declan Rice. The former scuffed his high into the stands, the latter volleyed his just wide.Fulham appeared content to dig in and hang on as half time approached with Bernd Leno rarely being called into action and their defensive block was doing its job to stifle and frustrate.Seven minutes into the second half, with the weather worsening, it was Silva’s turn to feel frustrated as at the fifth attempt, Arsenal’s corner routine came good.Rice’s delivery was whipped and dangerous towards the back post. Havertz glanced it back into the six yard box and Saliba – left unmarked for the first time – prodded into an empty net.The wild celebrations were briefly cut short by VAR. At first glance, the Frenchman looked to have strayed offside but for the bright white boot of Antonee Robinson keeping him on.Saliba revelled in the chance for a second celebration, punching the air, while Arteta responded on the hour mark by bringing on Gabriel Martinelli for Trossard.Arsenal were pummelling Fulham’s box with their one true love – crosses, corners and free-kicks. In the 69th minute, Partey should have put his side ahead with a free header from a Rice pick-out.READ MORE SUN STORIESThe hosts then gave a little reminder of their strengths on the counter – Andreas Pereira storming away with a shot fired low at Raya’s legs.It could have been so different in the final few minutes had Martinelli’s foot not been an inch offside before his dinked cross for Saka to slam home at the back post. VAR was the party pooper again.Gabriel Martinelli was offside in the build-upBukayo Saka thought he had won the gameCredit: PA More