Kasper Schmeichel Saves Leicester’s Blushes
Leicester picked up their first away win of the season in the Premier League with a 3-2 win at West Ham United.
Riyad Mahrez opened the scoring for Leicester after only 5 minutes at the London Stadium. Just two minutes later, Robert Huth doubled the champions’ lead as he headed home Marc Albrighton’s cross. Manuel Lanzini curled home a free-kick to pull a goal back midway through the first half for West Ham. But Jamie Vardy restored Leicester’s two-goal advantage in the 38th minute, rattling home an uncleared corner.
Andre Ayew gave West Ham hope with a goal in the 63rd minute after Andy Carroll headed a corner into his path. However, Craig Shakespeare’s side held on, thanks to some heroic goalkeeping from Kasper Schmeichel.
The win was Leicester’s fourth in four games across all competitions under Shakespeare and took them six points away from the drop zone. Here is how the Leicester players fared on the day:
Leicester City Player Ratings
Kasper Schmeichel – 8.5/10
Was given no chance by Lanzini for the Hammers’ first goal. Two unbelievable great saves to deny Carroll. The second stop in the added minutes was world class.
Danny Simpson – 6/10
The right-back went largely untroubled as West Ham rarely looked to threaten down his flank. Comfortable outing for Simpson.
Robert Huth – 7/10
Scored his goal with a header and looked comfortable for large parts of the game, until the Hammers started to put some pressure late on.
Yohan Benaloune – 6/10
The defender’s first league start for Leicester, as he came in for the injured Wes Morgan. Solid display apart from the moment when he let Andy Carroll loose in the lead up to West Ham’s second strike.
Christian Fuchs – 6.5/10
Another solid and assured performance at left-back by the Austrian, but was pegged back deep into his own half in the second period.
Riyad Mahrez – 7/10
Scored the first goal following some good work by Jamie Vardy. Always looked the most likely to produce a moment of magic for the Foxes.
Wilfred Ndidi – 7/10
The 20-year old midfielder continues to impress and grow in stature every passing week. Put in a combative display in the midfield.
Danny Drinkwater – 6/10
Started the game amid injury doubts. Gave his all in the midfield but was put under pressure in the second period.
Marc Albrighton – 7/10
Continued where he left off against Sevilla in the midweek. Looked bright early on and set up Huth’s goal with a curled free-kick.
Shinji Okazaki – 6/10
Industrious but ineffective. Worked tirelessly for most parts of the game. However, he seemed to lose energy as the game went on.
Jamie Vardy – 7/10
Tidy play leading up to the opener for Leicester. Took his goal well in the first-half, a typical poacher’s effort, but missed a great chance in the second half.
Substitutes
Islam Slimani – 6/10
Replaced Vardy in the 76th minute. Came close late in the game but was denied by the Hammers’ goalkeeper.
Ahmed Musa – 5/10
Came on for Okazaki in the 76th minute as part of a double substitution. Did nothing noteworthy.
Ben Chilwell – N/A
Replaced Mahrez in the 87th minute to protect the lead. Made a good cross into the box.