Izzet & Savage Spread Festive Cheer In Hammers Victory
The Foxes have won all three of their opening 2020/21 Premier League fixtures to lead the early table, while the Hammers enjoyed a 4-0 win over Wolverhampton Wanderers last time out.
However, as LCFC.com continues to build up to the fourth matchday of the new season, we take a look back to a classic clash between the two sides in December 2000...
Leicester City 2 West Ham United 1
Saturday 23 December, 2000
Filbert Street
Premier League
Leicester City's 10th Premier League win of the 2000/01 season, a 2-1 success over West Ham United, left the Foxes third in the table at Christmas.
Under the management of Peter Taylor, City had enjoyed an encouraging start with wins over the likes of Chelsea and Leeds United, propelling them up the league standings.
A festive visit of Harry Redknapp's West Ham offered the Foxes an opportunity stay above Liverpool in the table, but the home side fell behind at Filbert Street through Frédéric Kanouté's opener.
However, Muzzy Izzet, playing against the team he supported as a child, hit back for Leicester midway through the first half with a close-range finish after a scramble in the penalty area.
Club record summer signing Ade Akinbiyi had several opportunities to put City in front, while Kanouté nearly restored the Hammers' lead, but for a last-ditch intervention from Matt Elliott.
A defensive error from Ian Pearce, though, gave Leicester the ascendancy as Robbie Savage capitalised to put the home side in front, before leaping into the Double Decker Stand to celebrate.
Despite Redknapp's visitors asking for a penalty in the latter moments, when Steve Lomas went down in the area, the Foxes held out for a vital win which gave the Blue Army reason for festive cheer.
"When a new manager comes in, you worry about systems and players, but for me, it couldn't have gone better," Savage said afterwards. "I've had the best season I've ever had."
City: Flowers; Rowett, Elliott (Guppy 45'), Sinclair, Taggart, Impey; Jones, Izzet (Benjamin 74'), Oakes, Savage; Akinbiyi (Eadie 82')
Subs not used: Royce, Gunnlaugsson
Goals: Izzet 26', Savage 63'
Attendance: 21,524