Leicester City 2- 1 West Ham United
Report by Chris Griffin
City deservedly won but it was not enough to avoid the relegation that stalked us all season. There was considerable pre-match tension among spectators with some still daring to hope while others were resigned to our fate. Birch encouraged all to fully support the team because “you make a difference.” Interim manager Dean Smith reverted to a back four following the draw at Newcastle with Souttar making way. Dewsbury-Hall came into midfield.
Though needing a win City’s start was very patient with a lot of passing across the back four. Iheanacho made a good break down the left but his cross was cut out before reaching Maddison. At the other end Dewsbury-Hall lost possession and Benrahma forced a corner that City cleared comfortably at the near post.
The game was panning out equally. A long shot from Paqueta went past the post. Maddison, Barnes and Dewsbury-Hall combined well which led to Iheanacho having a chance but shooting wide. A superb diagonal cross from Evans put Iheanacho into a one on one position but his first touch lost control of the ball. Iversen had to be alert when he parried a fierce Antonio long shot. Soumare clattered Rice but referee Hooper was in a benevolent mood and there was no card. City’s good passage of play continued. Aguerd had to clear a Barnes cross after a good run by the winger.
West Ham were having their moments too. Fornals shot wide after being sent through by Coufal then Antonio shot over after Soumare had been caught in possession. Evans blocked a fierce Benrahma shot. Meanwhile in the 25th minute Barnes gave City their first shot on target. This was followed by a superb move involving Faes, Barnes and Maddison which led to Iheanacho’s shot skimming the bar with Fabianski beaten.
City were having more of the game and Maddison was at the heart of most moves. But it was a Barnes-Iheanacho one-two combination that led to Barnes calmly stroking the ball into the far corner to put City one up in the 34th minute. The goal released a surge of noise among the City fans. Now they could dare to dream. There were no goals at Everton and Tottenham were ahead against Leeds. Was the escape on?
Rice fouled Maddison heavily and was lucky referee Hooper was still in a benign end of season mood. Rice’s voluble protest did not receive a card. Tielemans sent a probing pass towards the overlapping Castagne but Cresswell intercepted it. City held possession for the last couple of minutes of the half and went in for half-time deservedly in the lead. Still no goals at Everton. But as we all know it’s the hope that kills you.
West Ham started the second half with more intent and only a foul on Evans prevented a good chance in the City box. A Coufal cross bounced off Evans’ chest for a corner. Evans stayed at the heart of the action as Cresswell’s wickedly in-swinging corner was unwittingly headed past his post by the Leicester skipper.
West Ham kept pushing and having more of the ball. Faes cleared another Coufal cross for a corner which Iversen plucked out of the air with authority and confidence. Then Fornals’ shot beat Iversen but rebounded to safety off the post.
In the 59th minute the mood of City fans changed dramatically with the news that Everton had scored against Bournemouth. This rapidly spread around the ground. There was an instant exit of hope and optimism. Even Faes heading home an in-swinging Tielemans corner for a second goal could not lift the mood, the 2-0 lead being greeted with polite applause rather than wild cheering.
West Ham brought on Bowen and Ings. Both were soon in the action with a Bowen shot hitting the side-netting and next he unselfishly set up Ings who blazed high and wide. Referee Hooper then showed he did have cards in his pocket, booking Evans for a half way line foul on the fast-breaking Bowen. Minutes later Ings was shown a card after he fouled Tielemans.
Another excellent Maddison dribble took the midfielder into the West Ham area but he could not get the ball from under his feet and his shot did not trouble Fabianski. In the 72nd minute Dewsbury-Hall made a strong run into the West Ham box but his cross was deflected to safety. That was the end of the action for him and he was replaced by Mendy, a player who many fans think has been neglected far too much. Ings shot wide then Vardy came on for Iheanacho who was given a big ovation as he left the pitch. Vardy was soon in the game forcing a City corner.
In the 79th minute Fornals scored for West Ham after Thomas had lost possession. By now there had been several false dawns initiated by some fans suggesting that Bournemouth had scored. For most this was little more than an irritating distraction. The referee indicated six minutes overtime but most fans were more focused on how much overtime there was at Everton and whether Bournemouth could exploit it. West Ham pushed but City’s defence stood firm – a reminder of the security which Evans, injured for most of the season, brings to the defence.
The final whistle came. There began a period of limbo, the players in the centre of the pitch trying to find out what was happening at Goodison. It was a curiously indecisive interlude. The players seemed uncertain whether to bid farewell to the fans but eventually made their way cautiously towards the East Stand. Some fans vented their frustration through booing. The majority applauded. Occasional scuffles broke out between some fans.
The proportion of fans who stayed to the end was higher than normal. When they did start to leave there was a lot of sharing of thoughts on the season. Many recalled significant moments when points were squandered to late goals such as home to Villa and away to Palace; or the missed penalty against Everton; or surrendering a 2-0 lead in the 2-2 draw v Brentford at the start of the season.
For others there is bewilderment at how a club that for so long has been universally well-regarded for its focused strategic planning and sustained improvement could deliver such a dogs dinner of a season. The 51 goals scored makes us joint-tenth for goals scored. But we conceded 68 goals: only three sides conceded more. Thoughts about all this are probably best left to another day. What matters now are the steps the board and owner take to tidy the mess, repair the damage and make us ready for next season.
Leicester City: Iversen; Castagne (Pereira 90+1’); Evans; Faes; Thomas; Soumare; Dewsbury-Hall (Mendy 71’); Maddison; Tielemans; Barnes; Iheanacho (Vardy 77’).
West Ham United: Fabianski; Coufal; Kehrer; Aguerd; Cresswell (Emerson 71’); Rice; Downes (Lanzini86’); Fornals; Paqueta (Cornet 71’); Benrahma (Bowen 62’); Antonio (Ings 62’).
Referee: Mr S Hooper
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