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Jamie Vardy red card: Has the Leicester striker opened the door to Tottenham in the title race?

Vardy was rightly shown a second booking for diving which proved the catalyst for West Ham to get back into the match at the King Power Stadium. We take a look at the best reactions on Twitter

Sunday 17 April 2016 16:23 BST

Jamie Vardy reacts to being shown a red card (Getty)

His goals have been the main driving force behind Leicester City’s unlikely march to a first Premier League title but Jamie Vardy’s showing against West Ham on Sunday could have derailed their title chances and given Tottenham a glimmer of a chance.

A dramatic end to the 2-2 draw at the King Power Stadium saw Leonardo Ulloa rescue a point with an injury-time penalty, but Vardy, having scored the opener in the first half, was sent-off – receiving a second yellow card for diving in the area - before the hour mark with the Foxes 1-0 up.

Andy Carroll and Aaron Cresswell appeared to have punished the England striker’s folly, before the late denouement.

Vardy is now suspended for Leicester’s next match, at home to Swansea next Sunday, while Tottenham can close the gap to five points should they win at Stoke City on Monday night.

Leicester 2 West Ham 2 player ratings

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1/23Leicester 2 West Ham 2 player ratings

Leicester 2 West Ham 2 player ratings

Leicester City: Kasper Schmeichel: 7 out of 10

Pulled off a vital save in the opening seconds of the game to deny West Ham an early lead. Kept Leicester in the game in the last 30 minutes but was well and truly beaten by Aaron Cresswell’s late striker.

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Leicester 2 West Ham 2 player ratings

Danny Simpson: 6 out of 10

Put in some important challenges and his distribution was on point. Didn’t do much wrong but nothing exceptional.

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Leicester 2 West Ham 2 player ratings

Wes Morgan: 6 out of 10

A solid first half from the captain but was too reckless at times in the second half. Conceded the penalty which brought West Ham back into the game.

Leicester 2 West Ham 2 player ratings

Robert Huth: 6 out of 10

Kept the West Ham front-three under wraps in the first half but panicked at times following Vardy’s dismissal. Managed to create a few chances for himself though.

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Leicester 2 West Ham 2 player ratings

Christian Fuchs: 7 out 10

Looked more comfortable and composed than the rest of the back-four. Committed himself forward and create chances with his deliveries.

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Leicester 2 West Ham 2 player ratings

Riyad Mahrez: 5 out of 10

Failed to assert any real influence on the game but was an important part in Leicester’s counter-attacking play in the first half.

Leicester 2 West Ham 2 player ratings

Danny Drinkwater: 6 out of 10

Failed to provide Vardy with the service he needed when he was on the pitch. A subdued performance. Grew frustrated in the latter stages but never stopped running.

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Leicester 2 West Ham 2 player ratings

N'Golo Kante: 7 out of 10

Up to his usual tricks in the first half putting in important tackles and interceptions. Created Vardy’s goal and never gave up in the second half.

Leicester 2 West Ham 2 player ratings

Mark Albrighton: 5 out of 10

Came off just after half-time, potentially through injury. One of his quieter games.

Leicester 2 West Ham 2 player ratings

Shinji Okazaki: 6 out of 10

Kept working throughout his 60 minutes on the pitch. West Ham’s centre-backs we're always busy with little time on the ball.

Leicester 2 West Ham 2 player ratings

Jamie Vardy: 5 out of 10

Took his goal very well but his first-half performance was tarnished by being dismissed on a second yellow card.

Leicester 2 West Ham 2 player ratings

Adrian: 6 out of 10

Wasn’t overly tested by Leicester. Little he could have done about the two goals. Safe pair of hands throughout.

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Leicester 2 West Ham 2 player ratings

Michail Antonio: 7 out of 10

Very threatening going forward down the right. Created a series of chances with his dangerous deliveries.

Leicester 2 West Ham 2 player ratings

Winston Reid: 6 out 10

Enjoyed his clashes with Huth and Morgan. Was a constant threat from corners and earned his side a penalty.

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Leicester 2 West Ham 2 player ratings

Angelo Ogbonna: 6 out of 10

Dealt well with Vardy and Okazaki who gave him very little time on the ball at the back. Looked confident

Leicester 2 West Ham 2 player ratings

Aaron Cresswell: 6 out of 10

Absolutely fantastic strike to give his side the lead but only really got into the game once West Ham had equalised.

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Leicester 2 West Ham 2 player ratings

Cheikhou Kouyate: 6 out 10

Dropped back deep once Carroll came on. Reliable and efficient in the middle but didn’t do anything outstanding.

Leicester 2 West Ham 2 player ratings

Pedro Obiang: 6 out of 10

Was particularly effective in Leicester’s final third but was too quiet by the middle of the second half and was eventually subbed off.

Leicester 2 West Ham 2 player ratings

Mark Noble: 5 out of 10

A disappointing game from the captain in which he failed to seize control of the midfield. Subbed off early for Lanzini

Leicester 2 West Ham 2 player ratings

Victor Moses: 6 out of 10

Drifted in and out of the game. Looked threatening when he wanted to be and created chances for the Hammers but went missing at times.

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Leicester 2 West Ham 2 player ratings

Emmanuel Emenike: 6 out of 10

Quiet first half and enjoyed only a few chances in the second half. Overshadowed by Andy Carroll once he game on.

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Leicester 2 West Ham 2 player ratings

Dimitri Payet: 6 out of 10

Was at his most threatening in the last 20 minutes of the game. Cut in well from the left and created chances for the players around him.

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Leicester 2 West Ham 2 player ratings

Best of the bench: Andy Carroll 7/10

Made a nuisance of himself and was calmness personified from the penalty spot.

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Leicester also have to travel to Manchester United and Chelsea either side of hosting Everton, while Spurs host West Brom and Southampton and visit Chelsea and Newcastle in their final games.

Here we take a look at some of the best reaction to Vardy's red card...

Referee Jonathan Moss’s display also came in for concentration, awarding West Ham a contentious penalty and denying the home side a spot-kick prior to Ulloa’s strike, as well as sending Vardy off for a perceived dive.

Tottenham play Stoke on Monday night.

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