Second-half substitute Andy King could become a folk hero in Leicester after his late goal gave the Foxes a bit of life in the battle for Premier League safety.
King’s goal lifted Leicester to a 2-1 win over visiting West Ham United on Saturday at King Power Stadium.
Esteban Cambiasso scored the Foxes’ other goal, while Cheikhou Kouyate netted for West Ham.
The Hammers remain in ninth place, while Leicester stays in last with 22 points. The Foxes are three points back of 18th and four back of 17th with a match-in-hand.
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But, hold on! Leicester wasn’t going gently into the King Power Stadium night, as Cambiasso latched onto a loose ball outside about 25 yards out and curled a volley into the corner to make it 1-0.
And the Foxes looked set to make it 2-0 moments later when Leonardo Ulloa was taken down in the box, but David Nugent saw his penalty kick saved by Adrian.
West Ham wrested control for the next 20 minutes, and should’ve found an equalizer several times. Notably, Kevin Nolan headed Stewart Downing’s cross wide of the frame.
Then it came, as Alex Song’s cross was chested down by Kouyate and blasted past Schmeichel in the 32nd minute.
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The second half saw Leicester looking for a winner, and Jamie Vardy nearly did it in the 69th minute only to see his show drift wide of the right post.
At the other end, Kouyate put a point blank chance off the Foxes’ right post, as it stayed 1-1 in the 74th minute.
Adrian and the Hammers’ defense were forced to make a number of stops during a frenetic sequence that culminated with Schmeichel punching a Downing shot over the bar in the 84th.
Then it came: King redirected Vardy’s shot with a backheel flick, and Adrian could only get a piece of the attempt. King Power Stadium was in a frenzy, and Leicester had a new lease on life in the Premier League.
LINEUPS
Leicester City: Schmeichel, De Laet (King, 79′), Morgan, Huth, Schlupp, Cambiasso, James, Mahrez (Albrighton, 46′), Nugent, Vardy, Ulloa (Kramaric, 72′)
Goal: Cambiasso (12′), King (86′)
West Ham United: Adrian, Reid, Cresswell, Nolan (Amalfitano, 65′), Kouyate, Downing, Sakho (Cole, 88′), Noble, Jenkinson, Collins, Song (de Carvalho, 88′)
Goal: Kouyate (32′)
