Ranieri Delight With City Heart After Hammers Draw

- Leonardo Ulloa’s stoppage time penalty ensured the scores ended 2-2 in the Barclays Premier League clash 

- Jamie Vardy opened the scoring but was sent off for a second yellow before Andy Carroll and Aaron Cresswell put the Hammers ahead 

- The Foxes stretch their lead at the top to eight points ahead of Tottenham’s trip to Stoke City on Monday 

Play with heart. Play with soul. That was Claudio Ranieri’s only demand from his Leicester City side as they battled to a 2-2 Barclays Premier League draw with West Ham United at King Power Stadium. 

Leonardo Ulloa’s stoppage time penalty handed the Foxes a point at the death after West Ham had come from behind to take the lead following a second yellow card for Jamie Vardy, who had opened the scoring brilliantly. 

It was a point that moved the Foxes eight points clear at the top of the table, with second placed Tottenham facing a trip to Stoke City on Monday night to close that gap. 

The Foxes were seemingly in control of the match before the sending off of Vardy, but Ranieri remained satisfied with the point, particularly after the huge effort his players put in. 

“I’m very, very pleased,” he told Foxes Player HD. “We were playing normally, we scored a goal and we created a great chance at the beginning of the second half but after the sending off of Jamie Vardy, it changed totally our match. 

“Then I can speak only about our heart because our players pushed so strong. They wanted to draw the match. Our fans behind us, thank you to the fans and the players. Fantastic.

“It (the opening goal) was classic Leicester and classic Jamie [Vardy]. I told you last time it was important for him to break the momentum here and now he starts to score, but now he doesn’t play the next match [because of the sending off]. 

“Now we are happy but during the match of course we were unhappy. It’s important to maintain always the right calm and right spirit.” 

Ranieri’s men were good value for their lead at the break, but West Ham’s introduction of Andy Carroll, combined with the red card, proved telling as the striker and Aaron Cresswell struck twice in two minutes to put them ahead. 

Eventually though, it was City’s own substitute – Leonardo Ulloa – who struck from the penalty spot. Jeffrey Schlupp was brought down inside the area and the Argentine made another telling contribution. 

Ranieri added: “This is the strength of the Leicester this season. Behind the first XI there are another 14 players who can play and at the right moment they showed their qualities. Ulloa is one of these.” 

Spurs now have the chance to narrow the gap on City on Monday when they face Stoke at the Britannia Stadium, but Ranieri insists he won’t be watching.

He added: “Never I look at the gap, never I look at the opponent. I just want my teams to play with heart and soul. When they give everything on the pitch I am so, so proud. 

“I don’t know [where I’ll be], maybe I’ll go to a restaurant or maybe I’ll be at home, but I don’t watch the other teams. Maybe I watch football, but not the other teams. [I’ll go to a] restaurant without television.”