Leicester all but waved a white flag in their battle against relegation after a feeble performance against West Ham. Tomas Soucek was made a gift of a goal on his 30th birthday and Jannik Vestergaard put one through his own net as the Foxes slipped to a meek 2-0 defeat.
Ruud van Nistelrooy’s hapless side have now lost 11 of their last 12 matches, the last four by an aggregate score of 12-0.
They could have been merely two points from safety with a win but never looked remotely like taking advantage of all the other protagonists in the relegation scrap losing this week.
Ten years ago Leicester were seven points adrift when a 2-1 win over West Ham kick-started an unlikely great escape.
Now the gap is still only five, but Nigel Pearson’s side were not defending as badly as the current crop.
West Ham opened the scoring after 20 minutes with their first attack of the match, when Aaron Cresswell found himself on the edge of Leicester’s penalty area. Vestergaard could have easily got a block on Cresswell’s hopeful shot from 20 yards, but instead he waved it through.
It was helped goalwards by an onside, yet totally unmarked, Mohammed Kudus from close range and was well blocked by Mads Hermansen. It was a fine save, whether the Foxes goalkeeper knew much about it or not, but Leicester’s defenders just stood and admired it as Soucek wandered forward to finish with a simple tap-in.
The defending was even worse when West Ham doubled their lead two minutes before half-time. This time Jamie Vardy made a mess of trying to clear James Ward-Prowse’s corner at the near post as he was challenged by Jarrod Bowen. The Hammers captain was allowed to scurry along the byline before his cross-shot hit Vestergaard’s inside leg and dribbled past Hermansen into the net.
Bowen had scored his 50th Premier League goal in Saturday’s surprise win at Arsenal, but he will have to wait a bit longer for 51 after it was given as an own goal.
After the break the away side mustered a couple of attacks, but to no avail with Vardy’s shot deflected wide and Vestergaard heading straight at another birthday boy, goalkeeper Alphonse Areola.
West Ham’s January loan signing Evan Ferguson was given a 20-minute run-out at the end and had a chance to get off the mark when he was played in by Bowen, but Wout Faes blocked his shot.
The final whistle signalled back-to-back Premier League wins for West Ham for the first time since March, signs that Graham Potter is starting to make his mark.
But they will surely not get an easier victory than this, against a team who appear to have given up completely.
10:22 PM GMT
Ruud van Nistelrooy speaking to TNT
“The goals we concede are easy goals, which is a reflection of how we played in this first half. We played with more urgency in the second half. In the first half we were waiting far too much, way too passive. We have to put more pressure on the opposition. You give yourself a big problem conceding two easy goals in the first half.
“We are in the bottom three and the pressure is on. The way to move forward is to literally move forward on the pitch and use our initiative. We were not close to scoring in that first half but we got closer in the second half. We have to believe and work to turn this around. We cannot sit back.”
10:19 PM GMT
Graham Potter speaking to the BBC
“It feels good. It is not easy. The turnaround from the Arsenal game was not that long. Two efforts in five days is big for us. Two clean sheets, six points, delighted.
“The clean sheet was important. We have conceded too many goals this season. It is important to stem that. The collective effort do that was important. We controlled the first half and limited them. Overall we are delighted. A big win for us.
On Tomas Soucek’s birthday goal:
“He has done brilliantly for us. Pops up with a goal, works hard. He can have some time over the weekend with his family and maybe have a nice dinner.”
10:17 PM GMT
More from West Ham captain Bowen
10:15 PM GMT
Our very own John Percy on X
Recruitment is so important in football, especially in the Premier League - and Leicester have got it so wrong over the last 3 years. Serious questions have to be asked. Van Nistelrooy has now lost 11 PL games in 12 but I'm not sure he's got much to work with
— John Percy (@JPercyTelegraph) February 27, 2025
10:14 PM GMT
Leicester struggling
Fewest Premier League points won since Ruud van Nistelrooy took over at Leicester:
◎ Southampton (5)
◉ Leicester (7)
◎ Ipswich (9)
◎ Wolves (13)They've won fewer points in 14 games under RvN than in 12 matches under Steve Cooper (10) this season. ???? pic.twitter.com/8BBZAsL6WF
— Squawka (@Squawka) February 27, 2025
10:12 PM GMT
The thoughts of Graham Potter
10:10 PM GMT
Neil Lennon on TNT Sports
10:07 PM GMT
Jarrod Bowen speaking to TNT
“I would not want to say comfortable. We knew they were going to respond in the second half after we were 2-0 up at half time. Two clean sheets, two difficult games. We have not won back to back all season and we had to back up the performance of the game at Arsenal. This season we have not been consistently at a level.
“We had the same mindset and energy tonight as we did against Arsenal. We did a professional job tonight. We were good with the ball and in the press. We had the same team and structure tonight and we have taken well to it.
“I feel fit and have had some good minutes recently. I feel good and in a really good place.”
10:03 PM GMT
Consecutive wins for West Ham for first time since last March
10:01 PM GMT
Poor showing from Leicester
10:00 PM GMT
Just seven points in 14 games for Ruud van Nistelrooy
09:57 PM GMT
Robbie Savage on TNT
“That 1-0 win at Arsenal, another clean sheet this evening. Back-to-back wins. Good evening for West Ham. Any points in the Premier League, regardless of the performance, are so important and he [Graham Potter] will be really happy.
“As for Ruud van Nistelrooy, it is a real poor display from his Leicester side.”
09:56 PM GMT
Man of the match Tomas Soucek speaking to TNT
09:52 PM GMT
Midweek round of Premier League games
Tuesday:
Brighton 2-1 Bournemouth
Wolves 1-2 Fulham
Crystal Palace 4-1 Aston Villa
Chelsea 4-0 Southampton
Wednesday:
Nottingham Forest 0-0 Arsenal
Liverpool 2-0 Newcastle
Tottenham 0-1 Manchester City
Manchester United 3-2 Ipswich
Brentford 1-1 Everton
Tonight:
West Ham 2-0 Leicester
09:52 PM GMT
FT stats
Possession: West Ham 58%-42% Leicester
Shots: 8-10
Shots on target: 2-2
Corners: 3-3
Touches in opposition box: 20-9
09:50 PM GMT
Full time
There is the final whistle and West Ham see out a comfortable 2-0 victory thanks to goals from Soucek and an own goal from Vestergaard. That is back-to-back victories for the hosts for the first time since March last year.
09:49 PM GMT
90+2 mins: West Ham 2 Leicester 0
West Ham have a corner on the right and Cresswell will send in an inswinger, which finds the head of Mavropanos, but he cannot guide his header on target and the ball goes high over the bar.
09:48 PM GMT
90+1 mins: West Ham 2 Leicester 0
Some of the travelling Leicester fans have decided they have seen enough and are heading for the exits to make the journey home back to the Midlands.
09:47 PM GMT
90 mins: West Ham 2 Leicester 0
There will be three added minutes at the end of this match.
09:46 PM GMT
89 mins: West Ham 2 Leicester 0
Thomas sends in dangerous cross that Kilman does really well to deal with, considering he had Vardy right behind him and was moving towards his own goal.
West Ham are going to make their final change of the night as birthday boy and goalscorer Soucek is replaced by Irving.
09:43 PM GMT
87 mins: West Ham 2 Leicester 0
Leicester are going to make a late double change as Daka and Thomas are coming on for Kristiansen and Vestergaard.
09:39 PM GMT
83 mins: West Ham 2 Leicester 0
Kristiansen is allowed to carry the ball all the way forward into the West Ham box on the left-hand side of the box but his shot misses the target.
09:37 PM GMT
80 mins: West Ham 2 Leicester 0
West Ham should have their third. They counter from just outside their own box and Bowen is allowed to carry the ball all the way until the edge of the Leicester penalty area. He then finds Ferguson to his left and he should bury the chance but dithers on it and ends up having his shot blocked as he took too long. It was a good block from Vestergaard but Ferguson should not have given him a chance of making that block. I will say the recovery runs of the Leicester players were pretty poor.
09:36 PM GMT
79 mins: West Ham 2 Leicester 0
We are about to enter into the final 10 minutes of normal time and, despite looking fractionally better since they made changes, Leicester still do not look like actually getting a goal back in this game. But a goal now would make it a nervy ending for West Ham.
09:30 PM GMT
73 mins: West Ham 2 Leicester 0
Mavididi sends in a cross from the left and picks out Ndidi near the edge of the box but his effort goes way off target.
West Ham are making their fourth change of the night as Ferguson, on loan from Brighton, is on for Kudus.
09:29 PM GMT
71 mins: West Ham 2 Leicester 0
Mavropanos is penalised for a foul on Kristiansen out on Leicester’s left, giving the visitors a chance to send a delivery into the West Ham penalty area. Buonanotte sends it in but the delivery is so poor, going over everyone.
09:26 PM GMT
69 mins: West Ham 2 Leicester 0
Mavididi sends a dangerous cross to the back post and Emerson does well under pressure to head away. Leicester are growing into this game now. Even though West Ham have been in control of this match, there would be some nerves inside the London Stadium if Leicester got a goal back.
09:24 PM GMT
67 mins: West Ham 2 Leicester 0
El Khannouss’ shot from the edge of the box is deflected behind for a corner. The delivery is flicked on by Vestergaard from around six yards out but his header is straight at Areola. Leicester have looked a bit better since they made their double change.
09:22 PM GMT
65 mins: West Ham 2 Leicester 0
Alvarez sends in a cross from the right, trying to pick out Kudus at the far post, but it is just out of his reach.
Graham Potter is going to respond to Ruud van Nistelrooy’s double change with a triple change of his own. Mavropanos, Emerson and Soler are coming on for Todibo, Scarles and Alvarez. Todibo did look like he was struggling and limping a little.
09:18 PM GMT
61 mins: West Ham 2 Leicester 0
Leicester have a free-kick out on the left inside the West Ham half and will send it into the penalty area but it is wasted as a loopy delivery is headed well wide by Ndidi.
Ruud van Nistelrooy is now making his first two changes, bringing on Winks and Mavididi for Soumare and De Cordova-Reid .
09:16 PM GMT
59 mins: West Ham 2 Leicester 0
De Cordova-Reid wins the visitors a corner, much to the delight of the away fans. They play it short and then send it in but the delivery is poor and is headed away at the near post.
09:13 PM GMT
56 mins: West Ham 2 Leicester 0
Another moment that sums up Leicester’s night. El Khannouss sends a cross towards the far post but there is far too much on the delivery and it goes behind for a goal-kick.
09:11 PM GMT
53 mins: West Ham 2 Leicester 0
There is just no urgency in this Leicester side. That was the case in the first half and Ruud van Nistelrooy has done nothing to change that. They are two goals down and need two goals just to get a point. With Wolves losing last night, that should have acted as an incentive to go after this game but they have barely threatened at all. Bare in mind as well the really tough run of fixtures they have coming up and the outlook is bleak for the visitors. Unsurprisingly the away fans look rather morbid but they all have stayed until this point.
09:06 PM GMT
49 mins: West Ham 2 Leicester 0
Neil Lennon, who played for Leicester and has managed the likes of Celtic, Bolton and Hibernian, has said on TNT that he is surprised that Ruud van Nistelrooy has made no changes at the break. The pattern at the start of this second half has followed that of the first.
09:03 PM GMT
46 mins: West Ham 2 Leicester 0
Two dreadful moments for Leicester right at the start of this second half. First Hermansen nearly passes straight to Kudus inside his own penalty area and then Faes, under no pressure, kicks the ball out of play trying to find Kristiansen on the left.
09:02 PM GMT
Second half
We are back under way at the London Stadium. Will West Ham make it back-to-back wins or can Leicester get themselves back into this match and get something from it?
No changes for either side at the break.
08:57 PM GMT
Goal for Soucek on his birthday
2 - Tomás Soucek (27th February 2022 & 2025) is one of just two players in Premier League history to score a goal on his birthday in two different years along with Teddy Sheringham (2nd April 1994 & 1995). Returns. pic.twitter.com/KZvfXt8niA
— OptaJoe (@OptaJoe) February 27, 2025
08:55 PM GMT
Midweek round of Premier League games
Tuesday:
Brighton 2-1 Bournemouth
Wolves 1-2 Fulham
Crystal Palace 4-1 Aston Villa
Chelsea 4-0 Southampton
Wednesday:
Nottingham Forest 0-0 Arsenal
Liverpool 2-0 Newcastle
Tottenham 0-1 Manchester City
Manchester United 3-2 Ipswich
Brentford 1-1 Everton
Tonight:
West Ham 2-0 Leicester HT
08:51 PM GMT
HT stats
Possession: West Ham 67%-33% Leicester
Shots: 5-2
Shots on target: 3-1
Corners: 2-1
Touches in opposition box: 15-2
08:47 PM GMT
Half time
Leicester have a late opportunity in this first half as Vardy is fouled not far outside the West Ham box. They have barely ventured into the West Ham box but can now send a free-kick into the penalty area.
Justin actually takes the shot on from around 30 yards and it goes straight into the wall. Just about sums up Leicester’s half and that is it for the first half. West Ham lead 2-0 at the break thanks to goals from Soucek and an own goal from Vestergaard.
08:45 PM GMT
45 mins: West Ham 2 Leicester 0
There will be one added minute at the end of this first half.
08:43 PM GMT
GOAL! Vestergaard own goal doubles West Ham’s lead
West Ham do have their second not long before half time and that could be game, set and match. Ward-Prowse’s corner to the near post is not dealt with by Leicester and Bowen keeps it in play by the byline. He then shoots through Vestergaard’s legs, taking a deflection off the Leicester defender and it goes past Hermansen into the Leicester net. Leicester already look down and out and the defending once again there left a lot to be desired.
08:41 PM GMT
41 mins: West Ham 1 Leicester 0
You would have thought that conceding a goal would have woken Leicester up and got them going but instead it has probably made them more passive. There is no energy, intensity or urgency in their game. The trap West Ham do not want to fall into is being sucked into a slow game and lose all intensity themselves, allowing the game to just meander.
08:39 PM GMT
39 mins: West Ham 1 Leicester 0
Ward-Prowse lays the ball back to Bowen on the edge of the box and the West Ham captain tries to beat Hermansen at his near post but he drags the shot wide. The hosts are comfortable in possession and not being threatened at the moment but they will want to add a second and really put this game to bed. They do not want to give Leicester a sniff here and any route back into the game.
08:36 PM GMT
36 mins: West Ham 1 Leicester 0
Leicester have had just 33% and their xG is 0.04. In theory with a win tonight they could move within two points of safety but they do not currently look like scoring and thus getting back into this match. And when you take a look at their upcoming fixtures, there is a very challenging run coming up; Chelsea away, Manchester United home, Manchester City away, Newcastle home, Brighton away and Liverpool home. A pretty bleak outlook for Ruud van Nistelrooy’s side.
08:30 PM GMT
30 mins: West Ham 1 Leicester 0
Kristiansen fouls Bowen inside the Leicester half, providing West Ham with the opportunity to send the free-kick into the Leicester box. Ward-Prowse, who was on loan at Nottingham Forest earlier this season, sends it in but Kristiansen makes up for conceding the free-kick by heading it away.
08:28 PM GMT
28 mins: West Ham 1 Leicester 0
What does Ruud van Nistelrooy do now that his side are 1-0 down? They have had very little threat going forward and something has to change in their approach and mindset.
08:25 PM GMT
25 mins: West Ham 1 Leicester 0
Scarles’ cross takes a deflection and goes behind for a corner. Ward-Prowse sends it into a dangerous area and Hermansen gets enough contact on his punch to clear the danger.
08:20 PM GMT
GOAL! Soucek puts West Ham ahead
The hosts take the lead. Cresswell shoots/ crosses and Kudus gets on the end of it. His initial effort is saved by Hermansen but it goes straight to the feet of Soucek, who makes no mistake from inside the six-yard box. Both Kudus and Soucek were both onside when Cresswell’s ball was played so the goal stands. When you watch it back you wonder what on earth Vestergaard was doing. He seemed to just leave the ball and allow it to come through to Kudus. 1-0 West Ham.
08:20 PM GMT
19 mins: West Ham 0 Leicester 0
Kristiansen finds El Khannouss in the left channel and has the chance to send the ball across the penalty area but he makes a mess of things and ends up just kicking the ball out of play for a goal-kick.
08:16 PM GMT
16 mins: West Ham 0 Leicester 0
Kristiansen is slightly fortunate as he tries to shield the ball out of play for a goal-kick but Todibo keeps it in play before the byline but the ball does eventually go out. Todibo was appealing for a corner but a goal-kick is given.
08:14 PM GMT
14 mins: West Ham 0 Leicester 0
It is quite flat inside the London Stadium and the home fans have not been energised so far by the home side’s performance. West Ham have not started badly but have not threatened the Leicester goal much at all. Leicester manager Ruud van Nistelrooy will be happy to hear the crowd quiet but will now want to see his side push forward and begin to put West Ham under some pressure.
08:09 PM GMT
9 mins: West Ham 0 Leicester 0
West Ham are dominating possession in these early stages but are yet to carve out a genuine opportunity.
08:06 PM GMT
6 mins: West Ham 0 Leicester 0
Scarles sends in a ball from the left towards the far post. Kristiansen tries to head back to his keeper and there is nearly not quite enough on it, with Soucek lurking, but the ball just gets back to Hermansen.
08:02 PM GMT
2 mins: West Ham 0 Leicester 0
Justin wins the visitors a corner inside the opening minute. Buonanotte sends in an inswinger, which is headed out to the edge of the box. Kristiansen never gets a cross in and the chance is gone for now.
However not long after Ndidi takes on the first shot of the night from outside the box but Areola gets down to make a fairly comfortable save.
08:00 PM GMT
Kick-off
We are under way at the London Stadium.
07:56 PM GMT
Kick-off fast approaching
After a lights show, both sides emerge from the tunnel and we are just moments away from kick-off at the London Stadium.
07:53 PM GMT
Reminder of the teams
West Ham: Areola, Wan-Bissaka, Todibo, Kilman, Cresswell, Scarles, Alvarez, Soucek, Ward-Prowse, Bowen, Kudus.
Substitutes: Fabianski, Emerson, Mavropanos, Rodríguez, Irving, Soler, Luis Guilherme, Ings, Ferguson.
Leicester: Hermansen, Justin, Faes, Vestergaard, Kristiansen, Ndidi, Soumare, De Cordova-Reid, El Khannouss, Buonanotte, Vardy.
Substitutes: Stolarczyk, Coady, Okoli, Thomas, Winks, Mavididi, Ayew, Daka, Skipp.
07:49 PM GMT
Your predictions
How do you think tonight’s game will pan out? Will West Ham make it back-to-back victories or can Leicester close the gap to Wolves in 17th? Remember you can have your say in the comments section at the bottom of the blog.
07:47 PM GMT
Final preparations
07:43 PM GMT
Pre-match thoughts of Ruud van Nistelrooy
07:38 PM GMT
TNT’s Joe Cole on West Ham
07:33 PM GMT
Hosts gearing up
07:30 PM GMT
Visitors arriving
07:26 PM GMT
van Nistelrooy receives Leicester backing after sacking two backroom staff members
Ruud van Nistelrooy has the immediate backing of Leicester City’s board and has sacked two members of his backroom staff in a desperate bid to revive the club’s season.
The Dutchman is under increasing pressure after 10 defeats in the last 11 Premier League matches, but there is no desire to dismiss the Manchester United legend at this stage.
Leicester dismissed Steve Cooper after just 12 league matches in November but are throwing their support behind his successor, who has endured a nightmarish start at the King Power Stadium.
Before a crucial fortnight with games at West Ham and Chelsea, Van Nistelrooy has taken action by axing first-team coaches Ben Dawson and Danny Alcock.
For more from John Percy’s story, click here.
07:20 PM GMT
The thoughts pre-match of Graham Potter
07:16 PM GMT
Jarrod Bowen speaking to TNT Sports
"The only thing missing in my career was scoring for England." ????????????????????????????
Jarrod Bowen sits down with Joe Cole to reflect on what it meant to score for England ❤️
???? West Ham vs Leicester City live on @tntsports & @discoveryplusUK tonight pic.twitter.com/PBDyV1XiBl
— Football on TNT Sports (@footballontnt) February 27, 2025
07:10 PM GMT
Full team news
West Ham are unchanged from their 1-0 victory at Arsenal last weekend. There is still no Lucas Paqueta, who remains out with injury.
West Ham: Areola, Wan-Bissaka, Todibo, Kilman, Cresswell, Scarles, Alvarez, Soucek, Ward-Prowse, Bowen, Kudus.
Substitutes: Fabianski, Emerson, Mavropanos, Rodríguez, Irving, Soler, Luis Guilherme, Ings, Ferguson.
Leicester make three changes from their 4-0 defeat at home against Brentford. James Justin, Jannik Vestergaard and Facundo Buonanotte come into the starting XI.
Leicester: Hermansen, Justin, Faes, Vestergaard, Kristiansen, Ndidi, Soumare, De Cordova-Reid, El Khannouss, Buonanotte, Vardy.
Substitutes: Stolarczyk, Coady, Okoli, Thomas, Winks, Mavididi, Ayew, Daka, Skipp.
07:02 PM GMT
Get your fix
06:55 PM GMT
Midweek round of Premier League games
Tuesday:
Brighton 2-1 Bournemouth
Wolves 1-2 Fulham
Crystal Palace 4-1 Aston Villa
Chelsea 4-0 Southampton
Wednesday:
Nottingham Forest 0-0 Arsenal
Liverpool 2-0 Newcastle
Tottenham 0-1 Manchester City
Manchester United 3-2 Ipswich
Brentford 1-1 Everton
Tonight:
West Ham vs Leicester
06:47 PM GMT
Leicester team news
06:47 PM GMT
West Ham team news
06:45 PM GMT
Match preview
It is 16th v 19th at the London Stadium as West Ham host Leicester. These two clubs both have different managers to the ones who began the campaign. West Ham replaced Julen Lopetegui with Graham Potter in January whilst Leicester replaced Steve Cooper with Ruud van Nistelrooy in late November.
Last time out, West Ham won 1-0 at Arsenal last weekend thanks to Jarrod Bowen’s goal and are aiming to win consecutive Premier League games for the first time since March last year. They have lost their last two home matches against Crystal Palace and Brentford and their manager Graham Potter wants his side to get better results in front of their own fans.
“We understand you have to get results,” said Potter. “I know you have to do that, and it is about how you do that. Your daily work is what you can control, and what has the impact. It can take a bit of time, but the performance and result at the weekend gives us confidence. We have not cracked it yet, but we have got belief and we will keep working.
“We have to have humility and a respect for the opponent, which we have, but we need everything like every other game. Every team wants to do well in front of their own supporters. It is not that straightforward, but we want to do better in front of our fans.”
They will continue to be without Lucas Paqueta with an ankle injury and Vladimir Coufal will also miss out with a thigh problem. Michail Antonio, Niclas Fullkrug and Crysencio Summerville are all long-term absentees.
Leicester were thrashed 4-0 at home against Brentford last Friday and they have now lost 10 of their last 11 Premier League games. Their last victory came away at Tottenham in late January and are five points off Wolves in 17th. Despite a bad loss last time out, their manager Ruud van Nistelrooy has said his players have reacted well to the defeat to Brentford.
“The mood is lifted. We are in a new week and have a new challenge. We have reacted after a bad result, you could say a bad performance, before.
“I called it a mountain to climb, but life is about climbing mountains and mountains are there to be climbed. That challenge I take. We will keep climbing and we slip sometimes - but we get up and start again. We have to be resilient and strong. You have to show your character, reflect, learn and improve. We know the performance against Brentford was not good enough, but this team has always reacted and I expect them to do so on Thursday.”
In the reverse fixture back in December, Leicester beat a Julen Lopetegui-led West Ham 3-1 at the King Power Stadium thanks to goals from Jamie Vardy, Bilal El Khannouss and Patson Daka. Leicester have won their last three Premier League games against West Ham.
Team news to follow shortly.
