Leicester returned to winning ways in emphatic fashion, boosting their top-four hopes with a 4-1 victory against West Ham at the King Power Stadium.
Brendan Rodgers’ side came into the game on the back of successive defeats in the Premier League, but there was no sign of a lack of confidence as the hosts roared into a two-goal lead in the first half, despite losing Jamie Vardy and Nampalys Mendy to injury.
West Ham showed signs of life in the second half and they were handed a lifeline when Mark Noble scored from the penalty spot after substitute Wilfred Ndidi brought down Sebastien Haller just inside the penalty area.
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The Hammers severely tested Leicester’s resolve as they searched for an equaliser, but Rodgers’ men held firm and their class shone through in the end as Ayoze Perez’s double in the final 10 minutes ended the challenge of David Moyes’ side.
Victory sees Leicester, who moved eight points clear of fourth-placed Chelsea and 14 points ahead of Manchester United in fifth, consolidate third place in the league, while relegation-threatened West Ham stay 17th but level on points with Bournemouth and Watford in 18th and 19th respectively.
Despite dominating possession in the opening stages, Leicester struggled to create any clear-cut openings as West Ham kept their defensive shape.
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Barnes slid the ball through for Pereira, whose low shot appeared to be heading narrowly wide of the far post until the former’s intervention saw him score his third goal in four games.
It wasn’t all plain sailing for the hosts as first Mendy hobbled off in the 32nd minute, before Vardy followed suit 12 minutes later after initially trying to play on with a left hamstring problem.
Barnes slid the ball through for Pereira, whose low shot appeared to be heading narrowly wide of the far post until the former’s intervention saw him score his third goal in four games.
It wasn’t all plain sailing for the hosts as first Mendy hobbled off in the 32nd minute, before Vardy followed suit 12 minutes later after initially trying to play on with a left hamstring problem.
Vardy shot straight at Darren Randolph, while Pereira sliced a half volley high and wide, but the pressure eventually told in the 23rd minute.
Source:Â skysports.com