Leicester City 1-1 West Ham: Key winners and losers, from Rice to Noble

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10-man West Ham United came close, but couldn’t hold on to their 1-0 lead as Leicester equalised in the last minute. 

Today’s victory could have been a major boost to the east Londoners’ moral, as they have have lost seven of their last 10 trips on the road in the Premier League.

The result will leave Manuel Pellegrini with more headaches as skipper Mark Noble was dismissed before half time.

There will be no let up on the pressure mounting on the Chilean has presided over the Hammers’ worst start to a top flight campaign since they were last relegated.

Here are the winners and losers from Leicester’s last minute comeback.

Winners

Wilfred Ndidi

It was looking like Leicester were going to leave the King Power with no points this evening as West Ham were putting up a commendable effort to stifle the peppering of their penalty area int he send half.

It would take something very special to break that forcefield and something special is exactly what happened. Ndidi worked hard all game and his efforts paid off in the 89th minute as he struck a long range shot which cruelly took a wild deflection off the would-be match winner Fabian Balbuena.

Łukasz Fabianski

Only Joe Hart has made more saves than Łukasz Fabianski this season and the Polish gloveman was in splendid form against the Foxes.

Fabian Balbuena’s skewed header could’ve put the Hammers on the back foot in the first ten minutes as it looked like it was looping into his own net, but the Poland international had clearly had his porridge this morning and was sharp enough to notice the trajectory of the ball, punching it clear.

Fabianski was on hand again to save from Vicente Iborra’s free header at close range and the stopper made several crucial saves and collections before the final whistle.

There’s nothing he could do to stop Ndidi’s effort at the death and it shouldn’t detract from a fantastic performance between the sticks.

Declan Rice

The Englishman had a difficult first ten minutes as his side struggled to get possession of the ball, but the Hammers took control of the first half after that with Rice at the heart of their attacks.

He made several crucial interceptions and perfectly timed challenges, one sliding tackle was so perfectly timed it even inspired applause from some home fans. His big moment came from a set piece delivered exquisitely by Felipe Anderson.

Rice might not be credited with an assist, as when he rose up to headed Anderson’s cross expertly to Balbuena, the Paraguayan’s first headed effort hit the woodwork, but it rebounded back to him for an easy tap in.

Rice then did very well to hold it together int he midfield after Noble was sent off before the break.

Losers

Ben Chilwell

The English full-back had a frustrating game, he didn’t quite manage to craft anything meaningful along the flanks this evening and it was his challenge that gave away the free-kick that led to the Hammers’ goal.

His defending against that free-kick left a lot to be admired as he was caught completely out of position when Fabian Balbuena’s broke free to snatch West Ham’s goal.

Mark Noble

Manuel Pellegrini was missing seven of his players heading into the king Power Stadium this evening. The Hammers skipper will have him nursing another headache after he was sent off in the first half for a truly terrible challenge on Wilfred Ndidi.

Noble lost possession and was over zealous in attempting to win the ball back when he crashed into Ndidi’s shin. There didn’t appear to be any malice in the challenge, but it’s the kind of tackle that could cause a serious injury; his early bath was well deserved.

It’s a shame, as prior to that West Ham were in the driving seat after Balbuena’s header. Noble’s red card is his fifth in the Premier League for West Ham; the most of any player for the club.

Manuel Pellegrini

Pellegrini’s men defended valiantly with 10-men this evening, but they were unable to hang on to their lead and finally capitulated in the last minute.

A win would have provided some much need confidence to the Chilean who has presided over West Ham’s poorest start to a Premier League campaign since they were last relegated.

The Hammers manager has had is fair share of misfortune this season, but that will provide little comfort for West Ham’s travelling fans who have not seen their side win on the road in their last 11 Premier League outings.

 

 

The post Leicester City 1-1 West Ham: Key winners and losers, from Rice to Noble appeared first on Squawka News.



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