Ruud van Nistelrooy began his tenure as Leicester City coach with three Premier League (PL) points as his new team overcame West Ham United 3-1 at the King Power Stadium.
After a challenging opening to their PL return, Leicester selected the relatively unproven Van Nistelrooy, and although the Dutchman may have just one English top-tier triumph as a manager – coincidentally, a recent 3-0 win against the Foxes while serving as Manchester United’s temporary boss – he boasts plenty of PL experience as a player.
Equally seasoned, Jamie Vardy provided his new manager with the ideal opening when set up by Bilal El Khannous, staying composed to fire past Łukasz Fabiański. The goal was momentous for two reasons – firstly, Van Nistelrooy becomes the third coach in PL history to see his side score inside two minutes of his debut match in the league, while Vardy has now opened the scoring under a record six PL managers.
Vardy then nearly netted again when Fabiański blocked his effort from close quarters, but there was otherwise minimal threat from an admittedly determined Leicester squad before halftime. Instead, the Hammers pressed, with Danny Ings’ header glancing off the post after deflecting off Kasey McAteer, while Mads Hermansen twice thwarted Jarrod Bowen.
West Ham stayed optimistic after the break, as Souček shot over before Hermansen parried Mohamed Kudus’ deflected shot. The Leicester keeper almost became the scapegoat when the ball ended up in the net after his mishandled punch, but it was fortunately disallowed for a Souček foul on the keeper.
That ruling proved critical, as moments later, Leicester increased their lead. McAteer burst down the flank before delivering to El Khannous, whose first-time strike for his debut PL goal left Fabiański helpless.
The under-pressure Julen Lopetegui’s woes were almost compounded when only a point-blank Fabiański save prevented Wilfried Ndidi from adding to Leicester’s tally. Finally, Patson Daka delivered the decisive blow, smashing into the roof of the net in the final moments of regulation time.
Although Lopetegui might find encouragement in the opportunities created, including a late consolation goal from Niclas Füllkrug, a managerial shake-up could be imminent at West Ham, with the Irons having won just one of their last five and finishing the match only six points clear of relegation. Leicester, meanwhile, will be thrilled to end a streak of seven competitive fixtures without a victory, now sitting just two points behind West Ham in the standings.
