First-half goals from Shinji Okazaki and Riyad Mahrez helped Leicester City to a 2-1 win away to West Ham United this afternoon.
The Foxes dominated the first half and deservedly took a two-goal lead into the break, Dimitri Payet reduced the arrears on 55 minutes.
Initially, an equaliser looked imminent as the Hammers poured forward from then on, but the visitors expertly took the sting out of the clash. Adrian then was dismissed in the closing moments in what seemed particularly harsh, but Leicester held on.
Here, Sports Mole reviews how the game was won in East London.
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Match statistics
WEST HAM
Shots: 10
On target: 3
Possession: 70%
Corners: 8
Fouls: 11
LEICESTER
Shots: 11
On target: 6
Possession: 30%
Corners: 4
Fouls: 12
Was the result fair?
Just about, yes. Leicester did more than enough in the first half to deserve all three points this afternoon. In truth, they only found themselves under real pressure shortly after Payet reduced the deficit, but the hosts' momentum petered out as Claudio Ranieri's side displayed a grit that may steer them well clear of the relegation zone by expertly killing this game.
West Ham's performance
Having won 2-0 at Arsenal last week, Slaven Bilic's West Ham could have been forgiven for believing that the visit of Leicester represented a much easier task. On paper it might have, but in reality it was anything but straightforward.
Beating the Gunners looked more and more like a fluke with each first-half minute that passed as the hosts struggled at both ends and deservedly trailed 2-0 at the break. However, the tone of Bilic's half-time team talk could have been different. Very different. In the dying stages of injury time, Diafra Sakho was fouled by visiting goalkeeper Kasper Schmeichel, but referee Anthony Taylor rejected penalty appeals.
Their victory at the Emirates came at a cost. They beat Arsenal but lost their element of surprise. Bilic had to show his hand and the players who looked most dangerous last week were relatively ineffective in the first period, with the likes of Payet and Mauro Zarate not afforded time or space in which to hurt Leicester.
However, the duo found ways to unshackle themselves from Leicester's marking as West Ham gave rise to suggestions that a comeback was on the cards. On 55 minutes, Payet rifled home a fine shot to reduce the arrears as the Hammers found themselves with an extra man by virtue of the support, but it did not last.
Sakho should have equalised with 10 minutes remaining, but his point-blank drive was kept out by Schmeichel, while Adrian was given a straight red card in the closing stages to compound a luckless afternoon for Bilic and co.
Leicester's performance
It was far from pretty at times, but few can argue that the way in which Leicester saw the game out was not hugely effective. They were comfortably the better team throughout a first half that saw them score twice through Okazaki and Mahrez - both of whom were exceptional during their respective stints on the field.
At the other end, they stuck to their task and kept West Ham's danger men quiet to earn a half-time lead. However, it has to be said that they benefited hugely from Taylor's decision not to award the Irons a penalty when Schmeichel clattered Sakho in added time.
They also began brighter in the second half, but Payet's goal 10 minutes after the break was a real test for Ranieri's men - one that they passed with flying colours. Briefly, they were facing 12 men as the home crowd roared on their troops at every opportunity, but City brilliantly took the sting out of the game with a number of time-wasting tactics to kill the hosts' momentum.
Schmeichel was required on 80 minutes to keep out Sakho from point-blank range, but an equaliser never seemed imminent. It is a case of so far so good for Ranieri, whose first two games have yielded six points.
Sports Mole's man of the match
Shinji Okazaki: There were few candidates in truth, but Okazaki, who only lasted some 55 minutes, has as strong a case as any. He netted the all-important first goal with a header, having seen his initial effort kept out by Adrian, and played a huge role in the second. Overall he was a thorn in United's side throughout his stint and he can be immensely proud of the victory.
Biggest gaffe
In a game where individual errors were at a premium, it has to be Sakho, who spurned a golden chance on the 80-minute mark as his point-blank effort was kept out by Schmeichel. Either side of the Leicester stopper and it was a goal, but the Senegalese failed to get the direction on his shot.
Referee performance
Taylor did not cover himself in glory. First, he dismissed what appeared to be a stonewall penalty when Sakho was clearly obstructed by Schmeichel toward the end of the first half. He then issued Adrian with a straight red card in the closing moments for a foul on Jamie Vardy in what looked an innocent attempt to win the ball after coming up for a corner. Taylor may need a police escort when leaving Upton Park.
What next?
West Ham: United now turn their attentions towards the visit of Premier League new boys Bournemouth next Saturday.
Leicester: City are back at the King Power Stadium next Saturday as they host Tottenham Hotspur.
Shane Callaghan
