LEICESTER CITY 2 WEST HAM UNITED 1
Report by Paul Weston
There was a vibrant atmosphere at the packed King Power Stadium as the match approached with the noise increased by the free “clackers” on every seat. How different circumstances were last year when City were running away with the Championship.
Upson was out injured and it was encouraging to see that Pearson had selected an attacking formation with Mahrez and Schlupp in the team even though they had just returned from international duties.
City started positively for once and the crowd responded with great vocal support. Vardy in particular looked sharp and was creating problems for West Ham at the back. After only twelve minutes we saw a rare event- a City goal and what a beauty it was! After a good break the ball rebounded off Collins’ back and Cambiasso shot off the post from about 20 yards.
City kept up the pressure, just like the old Championship days last year, and rightly won a penalty when Ulloa was brought down when shaping to shoot after another good team move. Nugent stepped up not very confidently to take the penalty and it was saved by Adrian, although TV repeats afterwards showed that the goalie had moved forward. It felt like a huge turning point in the game. City seemed to wilt and West Ham came more into the match with Song starting to boss the midfield as he had done at Upton Park.
Schlupp had got caught out at left back several times in the first half, much to Nigel Pearson’s annoyance. Fortunately City had survived these scares. However, his luck ran out when he badly timed a header to an innocuous cross from Song and Kouyate had only to chest the ball down and volley in. It was yet another costly defensive mistake which has plagued City all throughout this season- irrespective of the defensive personnel selected.
The half ended 1-1. An exciting end to end match for the neutral but for a dedicated City fan it was hard to tell how it would end. I was concerned about the defence. Schmeichel was flapping at most crosses and as usual not commanding his box and blaming everyone else, although later his shot stopping turned out to be crucial.
We were losing out in the centre of defence all too often to the giants of West Ham. Schlupp was struggling and De Laet was receiving no defensive support from Mahrez who was having a very poor game.
Pearson took decisive action at the start of the second half and brought on Albrighton for Mahrez. Remember him? This was in my opinion the turning point in the match. Albrighton brought drive, aggression, defensive support and good crosses immediately and it lifted the side and the crowd.
The second half then brought chances at both ends as City pressed forward, often leaving gaps at the back. Vardy had a header clip the bar, hit a fierce shot on the turn wide and Schlupp had a great chance but blazed wide. At the other end Kouyate hit the post and Schmeichel saved well from Downing.
A draw was no use to City and Pearson made two further positive substitutions. Krameric came on for Ulloa and King came on for De Laet with City moving to three at the back. The crowd responded positively to City’s positive approach although nervous because there was always the threat of West Ham’s pace catching out City at the back.
Krameric’s skill and confidence on the ball caught the eye immediately and he was desperately unlucky when Cresswell cleared his shot off the line. With the minutes ticking away Krameric’s trickery brought the ball down and he passed to Vardy. His mis-hit shot was flicked in by Andy King with the ball flicking off a stumbling Adrian and into the net to roars from the Kop. There was still time in the match for Vardy to race through and fail to beat Adrian when he should have scored.
City managed to play out the 4 minutes of injury time in the West Ham end and a rare victory was celebrated loud and long. It was well deserved and, for once, some of the luck had gone City’s way.
The euphoria after the match was slightly muted on hearing of QPR’s stunning victory at West Brom and I feel that we still only have a remote chance of escaping relegation. However, there is at least now hope! Let’s see if we can pick up a win at West Brom in the next match and then perhaps we can dare to dream! One thing is for sure- Albrighton has to start the match!
Leicester: Schmeichel, De Laet (King 79), Huth, Morgan, Schlupp, James, Cambiasso, Mahrez (Albrighton 46), Nugent, Vardy, Ulloa (Kramaric 72). Subs not used: Konchesky, Drinkwater, Wasilewski, Schwarzer
West Ham: Adrian, Jenkinson, Collins, Reid, Cresswell, Noble, Song (Nene 88), Kouyate, Downing, Nolan (Amalfitano 65), Sakho (Cole 80). Subs not used: Jarvis, O'Brien, Demel, Jaaskelainen
Attendance: 31,863 Referee: Mark Clattenburg
The views expressed in this report are the opinions of the Trust member nominated to file the report only and do not represent the views of the Foxes Trust organisation