Ruud van Nistelrooy kicked off his reign as Leicester City boss with a 3-1 home victory against West Ham United, increasing the pressure on Hammers boss Julen Lopetegui.
Van Nistelrooy could not have wished for a better start to his tenure as Leicester boss, with Jamie Vardy netting a second-minute opener which was initially ruled out for offside before VAR overturned the on-field decision.
After being dealt an early setback, West Ham created a number of opportunities to restore parity before the break, including a couple of chances for Jarrod Bowen, who was unable to get the better of Mads Hermansen.
Experienced striker Danny Ings saw his header deflect against the upright, while Tomas Soucek headed a powerful header wide as Leicester held firm to take a narrow lead into the break.
West Ham thought that they had finally restored parity when Hermansen diverted the ball into his own net in an attempt to punch it clear, but the referee ruled that Tomas Soucek had fouled the Leicester goalkeeper.
Leicester took full advantage of that reprieve to double their advantage through Bilal El Khannouss, who steered his right-footed shot in at the near post.
Substitute Patson Daka applied the finishing touches not long after Bobby De Cordova-Reid had a goal ruled out, with the 26-year-old embarking on a driving run before blasting the ball past Fabianski.
Niclas Fullkrug netted a late consolation to deny Leicester a clean sheet, but the late effort did little to lift the mood among the travelling support.
The home supporters celebrated Leicester's first league win since October 19, moving them up to 15th place and just two points adrift of West Ham in 14th position.
LEICESTER CITY VS. WEST HAM HIGHLIGHTS
Vardy goal vs. West Ham (2nd min, West Ham 0-1 Leicester)
Jamie Vardy is ruled ONSIDE and Leicester have an opener!#PLonPrime #LEIWHU pic.twitter.com/ph5R6MqfmE
— Amazon Prime Video Sport (@primevideosport) December 3, 2024
Vardy requires less than two minutes to score the first goal of the Van Nistelroy era. Vardy runs in behind to collect Bilal El Khannouss's through-ball, before opening up his body to slot past Lukasz Fabianski. The assistant raises his flag, but VAR overturns the onfield decision after replays show Vardy had timed his run to perfection.
West Ham disallowed goal vs. Leicester (58th min, West Ham 0-1 Leicester)
Hermansen will be relieved to hear the referee's whistle. The goalkeeper attempts to punch a looping ball, but he diverts the ball into his own net following contact from Soucek. The referee penalises the midfielder, denying West Ham a precious equaliser.
El Khannouss goal vs. West Ham (60th min, West Ham 0-2 Leicester)
Bilal El Khannouss makes Ruud van Nistelrooy a VERY happy man and Leicester stretch their advantage! 🙌🦊#PLonPrime #LEIWHU pic.twitter.com/LnZuD6m2sr
— Amazon Prime Video Sport (@primevideosport) December 3, 2024
Leicester double their advantage just moments after nearly conceding an equaliser. El Khannouss sticks out his right led to meet Kasey McAteer's layoff, directing the ball past Fabianski at the near post.
De Cordova-Reid disallowed own goal vs. West Ham (81st min, West Ham 0-2 Leicester)
De Cordova-Reid taps the ball in after Fabianski parries Wilfred Ndidi's effort. However, the goal is chalked off after VAR rule that Facundo Buonanotte had taken up an offside position in the build-up.
Daka goal vs. West Ham (90th min, West Ham 0-3 Leicester)
Leicester have THREE! ⚽️⚽️⚽️
— Amazon Prime Video Sport (@primevideosport) December 3, 2024
WHAT A NIGHT FOR RUUD VAN NISTELROOY! 👏🦊#PLonPrime #LEIWHU pic.twitter.com/nzjYfZmk0I
Daka gets in on the act to add to Leicester's tally. The substitute drives into the left side of the box before steadying himself to blast a left-footed shot into the roof of the net.
Fullkrug goal vs. West Ham (93rd min, West Ham 1-3 Leicester)
West Ham grab a late consolation. Fullkrug diverts his header past Hermansen after meeting Crysencio Summerville flick-on from a near-post corner.
MAN OF THE MATCH - BILAL EL KHANNOUSS
© Imago
Leicester's summer signing finally makes his mark in the Premier League after experiencing an underwhelming start to life at the King Power Stadium.
El Khannouss provided a well-weighted through-ball to set up Jamie Vardy's opener, before he scored his first Premier League goal in the second period to finish the game with two goal contributions.
LEICESTER CITY VS. WEST HAM MATCH STATS
Possession: Leicester 39%-61% West Ham
Shots: Leicester 8-31 West Ham
Shots on target: Leicester 6-10 West Ham
Corners: Leicester 3-9 West Ham
Fouls: Leicester 8-7 West Ham
BEST STATS
20 - There are three occasions on record (since 2003-04) of a team having 20 shots in the first half of a Premier League match without scoring - all three have come against Leicester City:
— OptaJoe (@OptaJoe) December 3, 2024
Liverpool in December 2015
Crystal Palace in April 2023
West Ham tonight.
Quirk.
Goals by a 35-year old player or older this PL season:
— StatMuse FC (@statmusefc) December 3, 2024
5 — Jamie Vardy
0 — Rest of league combined pic.twitter.com/KRQuxpiQIs
WHAT NEXT?
After starting his tenure with a win, Van Nistelrooy will now start preparations for Sunday's home meeting with Brighton & Hove Albion.
As for the visitors, they will have to pick themselves up for Monday's clash against Wolverhampton Wanderers at the London Stadium.
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