Can it be a penalty and a dive at the same time? Arsenal host Leicester in a massive Premier League game that has massive title implications this afternoon.
As Andy Gray used to say, you can't win the Premier League trophy today but you might be able to lose it.
The game was finely balanced in the first half when Jamie Vardy jinked past Nacho Monreal on the right side of the box and went down after making contact with the defender's leg. It looked like a penalty on the TV in real time but the replay showed that Vardy leaned in towards Monreal before going to ground.
It was a hard incident to call but Martin Atkinson pointed to the spot and Vardy dispatched the penalty to the back of the net to give Leicester the lead.
Interestingly, there didn't seem to be anywhere near a consensus among pundits and journalists as to whether the decision was correct.
Watched it 4 times.
Dive from Vardy. Doesn’t leave the left leg in then doesn’t come into contact with Monreal.
— Stan Collymore (@StanCollymore) February 14, 2016
Penalty. Agree No doubt
— Lee Dixon (@LeeDixon2) February 14, 2016
Thierry Henry thinks it's a penalty, Arsenal fans.
— John Brewin (@JohnBrewinESPN) February 14, 2016
Put your leg in like that & leave it there, with a striker of Vardy's speed, you're inviting a penalty. #AFCvLCFC pic.twitter.com/ng2AqaqmEM
— Piers Morgan (@piersmorgan) February 14, 2016
Vardy undeniably "manufactures" the moment somewhat but it's lazy defending and a justifiable penalty.
— Miguel Delaney (@MiguelDelaney) February 14, 2016
It's very clear Vardy is thinking penalty in that situation. He tricks into committing, he does, Vardy takes advantage. Clear penalty.
— Jonas Giæver (@CheGiaevara) February 14, 2016
Jamie Vardy, Robert Pires would have been proud of that piece of penalty-winning.
— Andy McGeady (@andymcgeady) February 14, 2016
#vardy very clever to get that penalty and finished it well https://t.co/hdMswKQdtX
— Ruud Gullit (@GullitR) February 14, 2016
that's a bobby pires from vardy
— Ken Early (@kenearlys) February 14, 2016
With the angle he's coming from there's no way Vardy could get past Monreal's leg. Definite penalty even if Vardy made sure of it
— aidan o'hara (@oharaa) February 14, 2016
That was a dive by Vardy. Or "clever", if you prefer. I prefer dive. Other views are available ...
— Oliver Kay (@OliverKayTimes) February 14, 2016
Vardy has been brilliant this season. But he knows that that was a rather/proper naughty dive.
— Darren Lewis (@MirrorDarren) February 14, 2016
Right after half time, Leicester midfielder Riyad Mahrez bamboozled Monreal further with a piece of trickery in the box and went down after being clipped. Despite looking even more conclusive than the Vardy incident, the referee - perhaps making up for the first half decision - waved play on.
Clear foul on Mahrez. Should quieten the Arsenal sense of injustice. Won't. #AFCvLCFC
— John Brewin (@JohnBrewinESPN) February 14, 2016
Arsenal were able to battle back and snatch a 2-1 win after a Danny Welbeck header five minutes into injury time.
The win saw Arsenal cut Leicester's lead at the top of the table with to just two points and with Man City playing Spurs later this afternoon, Claudio Ranieri's men will have even more company near the top of the table.
