Leicester City welcomed West Ham United to the King Power Stadium on 3rd December 2024 for a highly anticipated league clash, kicking off at 8:15pm. The home side emerged victorious with a convincing 3-1 win, showcasing their attacking prowess and solid defensive organisation throughout the match.
Leicester City lined up in a 4-2-3-1 formation, designed to provide both defensive stability and attacking flair. Mads Hermansen occupied the goalkeeping position, shielded by a back four consisting of James Justin on the right, Conor Coady and Jannik Vestergaard as central defenders, and Victor Kristiansen on the left. In midfield, Wilfred Ndidi and Boubakary Soumare operated as the double pivot, tasked with breaking up opposition play and facilitating transitions. Ahead of them, Kasey McAteer played on the right, Bilal El Khannouss on the left, and Facundo Buonanotte in the central attacking role, with Jamie Vardy leading the line as the lone striker. The substitutes for Leicester included Patson Daka, Wout Faes, Stephy Mavididi, Bobby De Cordova-Reid, and Jordan Ayew.
The match began with an explosive start as Jamie Vardy opened the scoring just two minutes in, converting a well-placed short pass from Bilal El Khannouss with his right foot. The early goal set the tone for Leicester, who looked to dominate possession and create further chances. However, the game took a turn when Boubakary Soumare received a yellow card in the 22nd minute for a bad tackle, a moment that seemed to ignite West Ham's determination to fight back.
As the first half progressed, Leicester maintained their lead but faced pressure from West Ham, who were eager to find an equaliser. Jamie Vardy himself was cautioned with a yellow card in the 37th minute for another foul, adding to the tension on the pitch. The first half concluded with Leicester holding a narrow 1-0 advantage.
The second half saw Leicester make tactical adjustments, introducing Patson Daka and Wout Faes in the 60th minute, replacing Vardy and Vestergaard respectively. This change injected fresh energy into the team, and just a minute later, Bilal El Khannouss doubled Leicester's lead in the 61st minute, scoring from inside the box after receiving a short pass from Kasey McAteer, finishing with his right foot.
Leicester continued to press forward, and in the 74th minute, they made further substitutions, bringing on Stephy Mavididi for McAteer and Bobby De Cordova-Reid for El Khannouss. The changes aimed to maintain momentum and exploit West Ham's defensive vulnerabilities.
As the match approached its conclusion, Patson Daka put the game beyond doubt with a stunning solo goal in the 90th minute, receiving a long pass from Victor Kristiansen and finishing with his left foot. The King Power Stadium erupted in celebration as Leicester led 3-0.
In the dying moments of the match, West Ham managed to pull one back in the 93rd minute from a set piece, with a header that found the back of the net, but it was too little, too late. Leicester City secured a well-deserved 3-1 victory, demonstrating their attacking capabilities and solidifying their position in the league.
Mads Hermansen was instrumental in goal, earning the accolade of Player of the Match for his commanding presence and crucial saves that kept Leicester in the lead. The victory not only boosts Leicester's confidence but also sends a clear message to their rivals as they continue their pursuit of league success.
