EPL Gameweek 29, Saturday Report: Leicester take giant leap; Arsenal, Tottenham settle for draw

New Delhi: Title contenders Tottenham Hotspur and Arsenal played out a 2-2 draw in an intense London derby even as leaders Leicester continued to show title credentials with a 1-0 win over Watford on a goal-fest Saturday.

Touted as the biggest London derby ever, Gunners took an unlikely lead thanks to 39th minute Aaron Ramsey back-heel goal at White Hart Lane.

But one of Arsene Wenger's most trusted lieutenants, Francis Coquelin earned a second yellow card from a reckless foul on Harry Kane in the 55th minute to allow Spurs not only equalise but also took the lead within seven minutes.

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However, a lucky goal from Alexis Sanchez gave Gunners a point to settle at third behind Spurs in the table.

The Chilean was brave enough to try from a distance, but his effort proved enough as Spurs goal-keeper Hugo Lloris failed to block the drive from the right.

The early English Premier League kick-off was followed by six matches, which produced 18 goals.

Defending champions wasted a chance to register fourth successive league win after Bertrand Traore provided a first-half lead in the 39th minute against Stoke City at Stamford Bridge. Their lead was cancelled by Mame Diouf with five minutes into the stoppage time.

The Blues still occupy the 10th spot with 40 points, while the Potters are in seventh with 43 points.

A strong Manchester City thrashed bottom team Aston Villa 4-0 with Sergio Aguero scoring a brace. The Argentine, however, missed his chance to complete a hat-trick thanks to a woodwork from the spot. Yaya Toure and Raheem Sterling were the other scorers.

With the win, Citizens have moved closer to third place Arsenal, by two points, with a game at hand. A win against Norwich will put themselves in the third place.

For Villa, it was their 19th defeat of the season and relegation almost looks certain at the 20th place with 16 points.

At Goodison Park, 10-man Everton wasted a 2-0 lead to lose the match against West Ham United. Romelu Lukaku had given the lead in the 13th minute before Aaron Lennon double the lead in the 56th minute.

But a missed penalty and Kevin Mirallas red card proved costly as Hammers scored three goals in final 12 minutes. Michail Antonio (78th), Diafra Sakho (81st) and Dimitri Payet (90th) scored for the visitors.

Everton are 11th with 38 points from 28 matches, while West Ham continue their European place push at five with 49 points.

In another match, Bournemouth beat Newcastle United at St. James Park 3-1. The defeat only aggravated Toons' chances to survive in the league. With 24 points, they are in the 19th place. They still have a game at hand, but it's against leaders Leicester.

Bournemouth are in the 14th place with 35 points.

Meanwhile, Swansea gifted themselves a major boost in the survival fight with a solitary goal against Norwich. Gylfi Sigurdsson's 61st minute goal was enough for all three points.

The Swans are at 16th place with 33 points, while Canaries are stuck in the relegation zone at 18th place with 24 points.

In another match, Southampton shocked another relegation fighting side Sunderland with an injury time goal at St. Mary's Stadium. The Black Cats have took the lead the 85th minute through ever reliable Jermain Defoe, but Virgil Van Dijk equalised eight minutes later to share the points.

The Saints are at eighth place with 41 points, while Sunderland are 17th with 25 points.

Saturday's action completed with Leicester taking all three points from Watford at Vicarage Road, thanks to a second half goal from Riyiad Mahrez. Claudio Ranieri's Foxes, with 60 points, have extended the lead at the top of the table with five points, ahead of second place Spurs.