Alexis Sanchez’s late goal rescued a point for 10-man Arsenal in a 2-2 draw with Tottenham on Saturday after Francis Coquelin’s sending-off sparked a turnaround in a thrilling Premier league game between the title-chasing north london rivals.
Coquelin was shown a second yellow card in the 55th minute for a reckless foul when Arsenal was 1-0 ahead thanks to Aaron Ramsey’s first-half goal. Within seven minutes, Spurs had gone in front on goals by Toby Alderweireld and Harry Kane at White Hart lane.
However, Sanchez scored in the 76th minute from a shot that Spurs goalkeeper Hugo lloris arguably should have saved, sealing a draw.
Coquelin’s sending-off was a turning point, coming when Arsenal looked composed and in charge after taking the lead.
The Frenchman didn’t need to make the tackle on Kane. Coquelin hung his head immediately after giving away the foul. Sure enough, the referee came over and brandished the second yellow card.
Then came the two quickfire goals as Alderweireld stroked in a volley from close range in the 60th minute before Kane curled in a stunning effort from a tough angle at the edge of the area in the 62nd.
But there was still time for another twist as Hector Bellerin fed Sanchez, who raced through and swept in a low finish that lloris couldn’t keep out.
STOKE HOlD CHElSEA 1-1
A late goal from Stoke striker Mame Biram Diouf denied Chelsea a win in a 1-1 draw at Stamford Bridge in the Premier league on Saturday.
Chelsea took the lead in the 39th minute, when Bertrand Traore’s shot from the edge of the area nestled in the bottom corner. Stoke persisted and drew level in the 85th as Diouf headed past an out-of-position Thibaut Courtois.
Elsewhere, Sergio Aguero scored two goals and missed a penalty as Manchester City used a dominant second-half performance to thrash last-place Aston Villa 4-0.
West Ham scored three goals in the final 12 minutes to rally to a 3-2 win at Everton.
Newcastle and Norwich both lost to stay in the relegation zone, with Newcastle manager Steve McClaren’s position likely under severe pressure following the team’s 3-1 home defeat to Bournemouth.
CR7 SCORES FOUR GOAlS
BARCElONA: Cristiano Ronaldo scored four second-half goals to become the Spanish league’s second all-time leading scorer as Real Madrid routed Celta Vigo 7-1 on Saturday.
Ronaldo’s four-goal performance gave him 252 career goals in la liga, surpassing Telmo Zarra’s mark of 251 goals that had stood as a record until lionel Messi passed that milestone in November 2014.
Pepe, Jese Rodriguez and Gareth Bale completed the demolition for Real.