City Settle For A Point In The Capital
The unchanged Foxes started brightly in the capital and their early industry was rewarded when Marc Albrighton applied a neat finish to Jamie Vardy’s cross after just eight minutes.
However, the Hammers, in David Moyes’ maiden home match as manager, restored parity before half-time when Cheikhou Kouyate rose highest to nod it beyond Kasper Schmeichel in the City net.
Up until that point, Claude Puel’s men had carried a considerable attacking threat with Algerian international Riyad Mahrez and Vardy both going close in quick succession.
After a penalty appeal from Albrighton was refuted by referee Martin Atkinson, following a clumsy challenge from Arthur Masuaku, Mahrez turned play over swiftly, galloping up-field.
West Ham United 1 Leicester City 1
Watch the best of the action from the Foxes visit to London Stadium to face West Ham in the Premier League on Friday night...
The 26-year-old twisted and turned on the periphery of the hosts’ box, before forcing England shot-stopper Joe Hart to make a smart save.
It was turning into an evening defined by decision-making. Vardy looked to make the right call on 42 minutes when he elected to shoot instead of pass, but it glided just inches wide.
Kouyate’s leveller changed things. The Hammers appeared a more confident outfit from thereon as both managers prowled their expansive technical area, imploring their sides to attack.
After 51 minutes, Spanish midfielder Vicente Iborra thought he had spotted a direct route to goal as he launched a stinging drive from 30 yards.
Although it seemed at first to take a deflection, City’s momentum was lost when he fired it wide of Hart’s net, in front of 3,000 members of the Blue Army in the stands.
As the clock ticked down, the match started to get bogged down in a midfield quagmire. Wilfred Ndidi and Iborra, however, remained as determined as ever in the middle of the pitch.
Late on, the pendulum almost swung back in West Ham’s favour. Second-half substitute Andre Ayew was the beneficiary of a frantic scramble in the Foxes area.
It fell to him with seconds to spare. Fortunately for the visitors, though, the Ghana international's corkscrewed attempt flew over Schmeichel’s bar in the final minutes.
Key moment
Maguire: Set Play Cost Us
Leicester City defender Harry Maguire reflects on a 1-1 draw with West Ham United.
When City lost their lead just before the break, it galvanised the hosts in the capital and handed West Ham something to work with.
Puel’s men lacked the same cutting edge in the second period. Despite their best efforts, it was Moyes’ Hammers who looked more likely to score another.
Who impressed?
Especially in the first half, Vardy was a menace. The 30-year-old has already found the net on six occasions this term but, this time out, he turned provider at the 2012 Olympic Stadium.
The match become stretched in the second period and Vardy was forced to drop a little deeper, a task he carried out admirably.
Where does it leave us?
We continue adding points. Good first half and second with things to improve. Already thinking about the important match on Tuesday.🦊🔵 Continuamos sumando puntos. Buena primera parte y la segunda con cosas a mejorar. Ya pensando en el importante partido del martes. #TeamSpirit pic.twitter.com/KSJqo7sypn
— Vicente Iborra (@Iborra_Vicente) November 24, 2017
The Foxes climb to 11th in the Premier League standings, although the sides around them will contest their next fixtures over the course of the weekend.
Four points separates City from both eighth and the relegation zone after their 13th outing of the 2017/18 campaign.
Coming up…
It’s an exciting clash with Tottenham Hotspur next up for Leicester at King Power Stadium on Tuesday night (7:45pm kick-off) before Burnley’s visit on Saturday (3pm kick-off).