Premier LeagueWest Ham United 2-0 Leicester City
Tuesday, 25th February 2025
by Chris Wilkerson
West Ham won back-to-back games for the first time this season, as an abysmal Leicester City were beaten 2-0 with minimal fuss. Two first-half goals were enough to brush The Foxes aside and give Graham Potter’s side their most routine win of the season.
The win moved West Ham up to 15th above Everton. They never had to be good, but they were always comfortably a way beyond the struggling Leicester.The Hammers were unchanged from Saturday's fantastic win at The Emirates, with Kudus and Bowen continuing as a front two.
The Foxes have won the last three meetings of the teams, the most recent an embarrassing 3-1 defeat under Lopetegui in what was Ruud Van Nistelrooy's first game in charge. They've won once in the league since, picking up only four points in those 12 games.
Any hope of survival has faded fast, and it now appears a matter of time until they're confirmed to be returning to the Championship.
Thursday's encounter did nothing to change that, Leicester as poor a team as any that have ever played at the London Stadium. In a flat, reasonably boring game, West Ham's victory never seemed in doubt.
It was a game of little incident. Leicester never threatened, and Jamie Vardy was never released to counter as the striker defended 20 yards inside his own half as the away side sat deep and allowed West Ham to try break them down.
After an empty opening 20 minutes, Potter's side took the lead a minute later with their first notable attack.
It was Bowen and Soucek combining down the right wing that opened things up, the pair under very little pressure as they probed for a gap. Soucek broke free to drive a low cross into the box, which was cleared only to the edge of the area to Cresswell.
Urged to shoot by the fans, the left back hit it low and hard at goal, and it was diverted on by Kudus in the middle, only six yards out.
The goalkeeper did very well to save from close range, but was given no help by his static defence as he saw the ball parried out only to Soucek, who dug it out to force the ball at goal and into the back of the net as those in blue stood watching.
West Ham were in complete control of the game. The home side found possession easy to hold, and just as easy to regain when they did lose it.
There was still little in the way of chances, what with 11 men defending within 40 yards of the goal, as The Hammers used possession to control the game and, for all intents and purposes, to flatten their opponents. The away side could build nothing.
With little else to discuss, one thing to note about this game is just how much it said about the chasm between promoted sides and Premier League mainstays.
This West Ham side has struggled for the large majority of the season, until now not winning back-to-back games at all, and yet they were so comfortably ahead of the visitors in every single department.
A Leicester side that had won 31 games in the Championship last season, winning the league on 97 points, will be relegated with a weak whimper. In what has been a near-catastrophe of a season for the Irons, they are still miles above this City side, and the other two promoted teams, all three of whom look like they will be relieved for the axe to fall and relegation confirmed.
Bowen smashed one wide from the edge of the box after good work by Wan-Bissaka and Ward-Prowse down the right, but it was with half-time looming that the lead was doubled.
A corner that struck the first man should have been cleared, but Bowen was the only one to react as the ball dropped loose at the byline. Without hesitation, the captain had it under control, pushed away from line and looked to shoot from a tight angle.
From the left-side of the six-yard box, Bowen hit with his right, but it cannoned off the inside of Vestergaard's thigh and through Hermansen from close range, into the back of the net, going down as an own-goal to give West Ham a 2-0 lead right on the stroke of half-time.
That quiet half was practically action-packed compared to the second. Leicester had a 10-minute spell where they could have threatened, finally getting some possession in the West Ham half, but never creating a real chance.
This 5-3-2 system that Potter found for the Arsenal game has helped his side to remain solid, and whilst the game was no thriller, it is a joy to see this team able to play two very different games in the same formation and go from a deep, defensive side that countered to a team that could control the ball and control territory.
The midfield was balanced well, with Alvarez roaming much more, Soucek box-to-box, and Ward-Prowse sitting a little deeper to recycle possession.
Kilman was strong in defence, winning a couple of key headers, Todibo impressed once more, but it was Cresswell who really shone. Into his 11th season at the club, it was only a couple of months ago that he looked like his career at the club would end without note.
However, with Potter in charge, Cresswell has become important again. The left-sided centre back role suits him, protecting him from pace out wide, and leaning on the skill that was always important - his passing. Cresswell played over 30 passes more than any other player, and this mix, at the moment at least, has improved The Hammers.
Kilman, Todibo and Cresswell are all comfortable in possession and can pass forward incisively, with solid experience and a growing understanding. They are helped by the pace of Scarles and Wan-Bissaka in the wing-back roles, both of whom are strong ball carriers with strength in attack and defence. In a week, that awful Brentford performance is forgotten, and the ills of the squad are looking less of a problem.
There was no danger; Leicester could never find anything to cause even a moment of worry. One poor Vestergaard header looped weakly into Areola's hands.
West Ham wasted a chance of their own, Bowen instantly controlling a clearance near his own box, and then carrying the ball all the way to the edge of the Leicester box.
With Soler to his right and Ferguson his left, Bowen chose the Irish forward, but Ferguson took a poor touch and could not get it out of his feet before a defender was back to block his eventual effort. He should have done better, although Bowen should have gone to the better-placed Soler.
This was a solid win, a first back-to-back of the season, and whilst you can only beat what's in front of you, it was good to see The Hammers brush them aside and do it so comprehensively.
Manager's Rating
Graham Potter 7/10: Kept it simple, but simple worked, and the real gift is being able to make a system work in two very different games. His side are starting to look more comfortable on the ball, which has been the big leap that the team has needed to make since thriving as a counter team under Moyes.
* Want to submit your match reports to KUMB.com? More details here ...
Click to view all West Ham United vs Leicester City match reports Click to view all match reports by Chris Wilkerson Like to share your thoughts on this article? Please visit the KUMB Forum to leave a comment.Player Ratings
Alphonse AreolaNever threatened, it was a very easy game for the Frenchman.
Aaron Wan-Bissaka
The crowd has started to get excited when they see him in possession with space ahead of him. Wan-Bissaka looks confident, and relying on him to provide width is a better tactic now he's a wing-back, not a right back.
Ollie Scarles
Struggled to have an influence, but his pace was useful and he is looking more settled as a first-team player.
Max Kilman
Did win some very key headers in the rare moments he was tested, and used the ball well.
Jean-Clair Todibo
Strolled through the game, never really tested, but passing well and showing signs that his movement for the ball and passing from defence is suited to Potter's play.
Aaron Cresswell
Excellent passing, a key attacking moment for the first goal, an asset passing in his own half and Leicester's.
Tomas Soucek
Was key in the early stages as he dominated the midfield, then popped up with the goal with that classic timing he has in the box. Leicester were beaten once they conceded first.
James Ward-Prowse
Accurate, well-positioned and intelligent. He looks like he's never been away, and has improved the midfield immensely since his return.
Edson Alvarez
With Leicester a poor opponent, Alvarez roamed more and is showing more to his game than just defensive destroyer. His combative approach makes him a useful front-foot defender, whilst he is comfortable in possession under pressure, which is so important in a Potter midfield.
Mohammed Kudus
A touch quieter today, with less space to run into, but looks a different player than his struggles in the first half of the season.
Jarrod Bowen
A leader in action, Bowen is a player opponents fear. He keeps improving, adding layers to his game, and is truly an elite talent.
Substitutes
Emerson Palmieri(Scarles 66') Neat and tidy substitute appearance.
Konstantinos Mavropanos
(Todibo 66') Eager as ever, and as clumsy as he often is.
Carlos Soler
(Alvarez 66') Deserved to be played in after making such an effort to catch up with and overlap Bowen on that late carry, but the captain fed Ferguson instead.
Evan Ferguson
(Kudus 73') Couldn't get into the game and was rusty when given his moment.
Andy Irving
(Soucek 90') Introduced too late to make an impact.
Lukasz Fabianski
Did not play.
Guido Rodríguez
Did not play.
Luis Guilherme
Did not play.
Danny Ings
Did not play.
Match Facts
West Ham United: Alphonse Areola, Aaron Wan-Bissaka, Ollie Scarles, Max Kilman, Jean-Clair Todibo, Aaron Cresswell, Tomas Soucek, James Ward-Prowse, Edson Alvarez, Mohammed Kudus, Jarrod Bowen.Goals: Tomas SOucek 21 Jannik Vestergaard OG 43 .
Booked: None booked. .
Sent Off: None sent off. .
Leicester City: Hermansen, Justin, Faes, Vestergaard (Daka 87), Kristiansen (Thomas 87), Ndidi, Soumare (Winks 61), El Khannouss, Buonanotte, De Cordova-Reid (Mavididi 61), Vardy .
Subs not used: Stolarczyk, Coady, Okoli, Skipp, Ayew.
Goals: .
Booked: None booked..
Sent off: None.
Referee: Anthony Taylor.
Attendance: 62,455.
Man of the Match: James Ward-Prowse.