A man accused of stabbing an Arsenal fan to death outside an Islington pub denied murder when he appeared at the Old Bailey on Tuesday.

Anthony Leader, 21, allegedly killed 20-year-old Sam Fitzgerald on the night of April 14 last year.

Sam had been watching his team play Tottenham at the Thornhill Arms in Wynford Road, Islington, not far from his home.

He bled to death after suffering a single stab wound to the chest.

Leader, of Sidmouth Street, King’s Cross, appeared in the dock to plead not guilty to a single charge of murder.

Judge Paul Worsley QC set the trial for November 7 this year.