Inability to create thwarts Leicester as West Ham impress at the King Power

When you think of the Leicester City of last season you associate them with creativity and fluidity in attack, also showing they can score goals in the opening three fixtures of this season as well.

It wasn’t quite what was on show yesterday with Brendan Rodgers men only registering four shots with one on target.

Yesterday’s game for the Foxes was a disaster, West Ham took lots of people by surprise and they were exceptional. The Hammers deployed a structured low block which was ever so difficult for Leicester to break down, causing lots of frustration for them.

With Leicester missing Dennis Praet and James Maddison through injury, already there is two huge playmakers missing. There was no final ball for the Foxes.

This game outlines how crucial Praet has been in these opening games. His unselfish movement, ability to make space to receive passes (often through the lines which David Moyes’ men did so well in neutralising) and a desire to run behind the centre backs. Without him City lacked runners and movement through the middle.

One of the reasons Leicester couldn’t break down the Claret and Blues is the maestro in midfield sitting in front of the defence Declan Rice, the youngster single-handedly removed the inverted wingers (Perez and Barnes) passing line and was composed on the ball at all times. His positional discipline was sublime, and he played a key role in this win alongside Tomáš Souček whilst holding the midfield.

Against a deep block it is vital that the passing game is spot on, and Leicester’s was not. They often misplaced, under-hit and misjudged their passes, making it tough for the receiver to do anything with the ball, and the structured block the Irons built was perfect to capitalise on these errors and lead a counter charge.

West Ham found themselves 1-0 up on the 14^th minute when Çağlar Söyüncü needlessly fouled Antonio, quick thinking from the poacher allowed him to switch the ball to Aaron Cresswell who whipped in a lethal cross all for Antonio to head it in, to shock the Foxes on home turf.

After this goal went in Leicester’s confidence dipped, and the faith to receive the ball in tight spaces as they did so well last season and also something Maddison does expertly, had completely gone.

A second goal came on the 34^th minute as a Cresswell clearance went right up the pitch, over the Foxes high line, and Pablo Fornals was through on goal with 4 City defenders chasing him, and he finished acutely after a beautiful touch to bring it down.

Photo: Premier League

Leicester are 2-0 down at half time and Rodgers would have headed down the tunnel furious with his defenders as both goals were due to awful positioning and daydreaming.

Hopefully the new record signing Wesley Fofana can add some confidence to the Leicester defence as the three centre halves with Daniel Amartey really didn’t work wonders.

Photo: Leicester City

Late on in the game West Ham once again broke out from the back into an attacking surge and Fornals carried the ball a long distance with no challenge from blue shirts, all to cut a perfect hole in the defence and young Englishman Jarrod Bowen to slot the ball past a helpless Kasper Schmeichel. Game, set and match.

Leicester have astounding players in their team, capable of beating most sides in the league. They need to learn the processes of breaking down deep blocks (which isn’t an easy task) but too many times over the last two years has this been a problem. Purely an off day.

West Ham were terrific, and David Moyes would have been sitting at home with a huge smile on his face. The Hammers will be even more confident for their next game after the break with back to back wins netting 7 goals.

Leicester on the other hand will certainly be looking forward to implementing new signings Cengiz Ünder and Wesley Fofana into their starting XI. And even more excited about the return of Ricardo Pereira in coming weeks. Good times ahead.