Fortunate Foxes scrape draw against 10-man Irons

On paper, these two teams are very evenly matched and have had equally inconsistent starts to their Premier League campaigns. The first 20 minutes refelcted that perfectly, with both teams having spells of dominance but not being able to capitalise.

West Ham started to edge it as the half progressed, with Robert Snodgrass being particularly bright in the attacking third. 

The away side managed to find their breakthrough on 30 minutes. Felipe Anderson looped in an impressive free-kick for Rice to cushion the header to Fabain Balbuena. The Paraguayan saw his foirst header cannon off the post, but luckliy for him it fell to him again and he was able to tap the ball in to the net.

West Ham's dominance of the game was ended on 38 minutes, when their captain was shown a controversial red card when he slid in showing his studs on Wilfred Ndidi. Michael Oliver had no hesitation, and gave Mark Noble his marching orders.

 

October 27, 2018

The second half saw the introduction Jamie Vardy, who was left out due to illness initially, as the home side started to dominate the game more and more with the extra man.

Vardy, as well as Mark Albrighton, had some excellent chances early on but the away side's back line did extremely well. Luckasz Fabianski was also on top form, making a string of impressive saves as the 'Foxes' saw more posession as the game went on.

The 'Foxes' found it really diffuclt to get any clear-cut chances in the game, as the West Ham defensive unit performed exceptionally well together. Their high defensive line made it almost impossible for Vardy and co. to find a way through, with the home side being caught offside an incredible seven times in the match.

With the away team looking to be headed for an incredible away win, luck was not on their side as Leicester finally got their breakthough in the 89th minute. 

Midfielder Wilfred Ndidi launched a speculative shot from range, with the ball deflecting off Balbuena and looping in to the top right corner of the goal leaving neither team with enough time to get a deciding strike.

Claude Puel will be relieved with the result in the circumstances, but will know that the pressure on him will only intesify after the faltering performance.

Manuel Pellegrini will be understandably be disappointed to not take all three points, but will be thrilled that the defensive frailties that plagued his side in the early part of the season seems to be improving as he heads in to a crucial run of fixtures.

 

October 27, 2018