Football: Arsenal's Nicolas Pepe sent off for headbutting Leeds player, Fulham's penalty woes continue with shocking miss against Everton

Nicolas Pepe has been sent off for headbutting Ezgjan Alioski, as 10-man Arsenal were held to a goalless draw against Leeds United on Monday (NZ time).

Video officials spotted that Pepe had headbutted Alioski and referee Anthony Taylor took a quick look at the monitor, before brandishing the red card.

Marcelo Bielsa's Leeds had been the better side even before the sending off, with striker Patrick Bamford twice forcing Arsenal goalkeeper Bernd Leno into action.

Leno did well again to keep out a fierce drive from Stuart Dallas and then substitute Rodrigo crashed a shot against the bar from the edge of the area.

Arsenal nearly grabbed a winner against the run of play, when Hector Bellerin put Bukayo Saka through on goal, but he was unable to round Leeds keeper Illan Meslier.

Leeds struck the woodwork twice in the latter stages, with Bamford heading against the post and Raphinha also striking the upright deep in stoppage time.

Meanwhile, Liverpool have set a new club record of 64 straight unbeaten home league games, with an impressive 3-0 win over Leicester City at Anfield.

An own goal from Jonny Evans, and headers from Diogo Jota and Roberto Firmino, continuing his streak of scoring in his first four league games at Anfield, were enough to give Juergen Klopp victory over predecessor Brendan Rodgers.

The result moves defending champions Liverpool level with leaders Tottenham Hotspur on 20 points, while Leicester are fourth, level with third-placed Chelsea on 18 points.

Elsewhere, Fulham manager Scott Parker says his team have a problem with taking penalties, but refuses to blame winger Ivan Cavaleiro for missing one in their 3-2 Premier League home loss to Everton.

Cavaleiro, 27, who took up spot-kick duties after Ademola Lookman's poor effort in the defeat at West Ham United last time out and Aleksandar Mitrovic's miss earlier this season, slipped and sent his kick over the bar in the second half.

Fulham have missed five of their last eight penalties in the league and Parker suggests there could be a new face taking the responsibility from Portugal forward Cavaleiro.

Ivan Cavaleiro.
Ivan Cavaleiro. Photo credit: Reuters

"You couldn't have written it when he slipped and missed," says Parker. "There is no denying we have an issue with penalties.

"We'll keep working and training to see who is the best to take them.

"All I can say is, over the last 10 days, we've put things in place. Ivan is an exceptional penalty taker. Last time I was angry, today... these things can happen."

Parker is happy with the second-half, as Fulham pulled a goal back through substitute Ruben Loftus-Cheek to make it 3-2 after Cavaleiro's miss, but says there's room for improvement, as they remain fourth-bottom, with four points from nine games.

"We can cause teams problems and be successful, but we have deficiencies," the 40-year-old adds. "It's a young team and we need to drill the message home.

"We've built a bond and we're doing everything in our power to keep improving." 

Also, a thumping second-half goal from West Ham striker Sebastien Haller has condemned Sheffield United to a 1-0 defeat at home that leaves them rooted to the bottom of the standings, with a single point after nine games.

Reuters