Match Report | Hammers fall to Leicester City defeat | West Ham United F.C.

Leicester City faced off against West Ham United in a Premier League match at the King Power Stadium on Tuesday, December 3, 2024, at 8:15 PM GMT. The final score was Leicester City 3, West Ham United 1.

West Ham United experienced a frustrating evening as they lost 3-1 to Leicester City, marking the home team's first game under the guidance of their new manager, Ruud van Nistelrooy.

The Foxes made a strong beginning at King Power Stadium, taking the lead with a goal from Jamie Vardy just two minutes into the match. The goal was confirmed after a lengthy review by VAR.

Although West Ham had several chances to score, including shots on target and corners in the first hour of the match, Bilal El Khannouss unexpectedly scored, giving City the upper hand.

Patson Daka's late goal in stoppage time added some flair to the final score. Although Niclas Füllkrug, a substitute for the visitors, managed to score a consolation goal on his first match back since August while wearing the Claret and Blue, it didn’t ruin the joyous atmosphere for the home team.

If Dutch manager van Nistelrooy had imagined the ideal beginning to his time in the East Midlands as he went to sleep last night, he could hardly have wished for a more favorable scenario than the play that set up Vardy’s first goal just moments after the match kicked off.

El Khannouss took control of the ball deep in the Foxes' half and delivered a perfectly timed pass that set up Vardy. With ample space to prepare for his shot, the striker carefully placed the ball into the bottom corner of the net. The goal was confirmed after a quick review to ensure there was no offside.

As West Ham was still recovering from their recent loss, Leicester took advantage and quickly pressed forward, nearly increasing their lead just two minutes later. Vardy sprinted past the Hammers' defense and raced toward the goal, but was stopped by an impressive save from Łukasz Fabiański.

Leicester started strong in the opening moments, demonstrating the positive impact of their new manager as Julen Lopetegui's team slowly started to settle into the game.

Our next significant opportunity came shortly after. Mohammed Kudus missed the target with a header from a cross by Vladimír Coufal, and Mads Hermansen managed to deflect a powerful, twisting shot from Jarrod Bowen past the post. At that moment, we really should have equalized.

Bowen, assisted by Edson Álvarez, sent a precise cross to the far post. Danny Ings jumped high to meet it, but his shot hit the crossbar and bounced back.

Lopetegui's squad continued to press and explore for a chance to level the score. During one fluid attack, Bowen fired a shot from close range that was thwarted by Hermansen’s extended legs.

Tomáš Souček took his turn to shoot, but his header missed the mark and went wide. Shortly after, the energetic Kudus had a clear path to the goal and decided to pass the ball to Bowen. Although Bowen's shot appeared to be heading for the goal, it ultimately went a yard wide of the far post.

As the first half was coming to an end, the Hammers created several opportunities, although none were clear-cut. Carlos Soler had a shot that was blocked, Bowen's quick attempt required Hermansen to make a low save to his left, and Souček's attempt ended up going wide of the goal.

The unbalanced dynamic from the first half carried on into the second. In the 50th minute, Vardy had a chance to score during one of Leicester’s few attacks, but he ended up heading the ball over the crossbar from Facundo Buonanotte’s delivery.

West Ham quickly regained their attacking momentum, but they felt they were unjustly denied a clear penalty after the ball seemingly hit Wilfried Ndidi's arm. This moment was reviewed by the Video Assistant Referee, yet it was somehow deemed not worthy of a penalty. Shortly after, Souček found the back of the net, but his goal was disallowed due to a foul he committed during the play leading up to it.

There was a concern that the Irons might regret the chances they let slip by, and unexpectedly, the Foxes increased their advantage in the 61st minute. Kasey McAteer set up El Khannouss, who, while sliding, sent the ball into the bottom corner past Fabiański.

On the opposite side, a looping cross from substitute Lucas Paquetá sailed just over the bar, while Crysencio Summerville's shot, set up by Bowen's pass, was spectacularly intercepted just in time by Conor Coady right on the goal line.

Despite West Ham's intense efforts, it was Leicester who managed to find the back of the net next. Buonanotte set up Daka, whose attempt was parried away, but the ball fell kindly to Bobby De Cordova-Reid, who easily scored into an open goal. Unfortunately for Leicester, their celebrations were cut short by an offside call against Buonanotte, a close call confirmed after a lengthy review by VAR.

Despite a disappointing night, there was a bright spot as substitute Füllkrug scored his first goal for West Ham, finding the net with a header during stoppage time for a late consolation.

Leicester City: Hermansen, Justin, Coady, Vestergaard (substituted for Faes at 60 minutes), Kristiansen, Ndidi, Soumaré, McAteer (replaced by Mavididi at 74 minutes), El Khannouss (substituted for De Cordova-Reid at 74 minutes), Buonanotte (taken off for Ayew in stoppage time), Vardy (replaced by Daka at 60 minutes) Unused substitutes: Ward (goalkeeper), Okoli, Skipp, Thomas

Scorers: Vardy scored twice, El Khannouss found the net in the 61st minute, and Daka added another in the 90th minute.

West Ham United lineup included: Fabiański in goal, with Wan-Bissaka, Mavropanos, Kilman, and Coufal (replaced by Emerson in the 62nd minute) in defense. The midfield featured Soler (substituted by Paquetá in the 62nd), Souček (who was replaced by Antonio in the 62nd), and Álvarez. Kudus was substituted by Füllkrug in the 79th minute. Bowen served as the team captain, and Ings was replaced by Summerville at halftime. On the bench were unused substitutes Foderingham (GK), Casey, Rodríguez, and Luis Guilherme.