Leicester City started their new era under Ruud van Nistelrooy with a vital win against West Ham United.
Van Nistelrooy was in the dugout for the first time as the new Leicester manager and saw his side take the lead inside 90 seconds thanks to Jamie Vardy.
Bilal El Khannouss was singled out by Van Nistelrooy for his sensational performance which was capped off with his first Premier League goal in the second half.
Patson Daka made sure of the three points with his first goal since returning from injury before a Niclas Fullkrug consolation took some shine off the result.
Mads Hermansen wowed Leicester fans with his display but there were plenty of others who also went under the radar on a great night under the lights.
Conor Coady produces solid performance at the back in West Ham win
Conor Coady has had to bide his time for an opportunity at Leicester City.
A foot injury at the start of last season meant he found it hard to get back into the starting XI and after the signing of Caleb Okoli in the summer, looked to have moved further down the pecking order.
Coady started in the Foxes’ defeat against Brentford on Saturday but, to everyone’s surprise, it was Wout Faes who was dropped.
Conor Coady of Leicester City wearing the captains rainbow armband during the Premier League match between Leicester City FC and West Ham United FC...
Photo by Catherine Ivill – AMA/Getty Images
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Partnered alongside Jannik Vestergaard, the two did surrender a total of 31 shots in the game but looked like a force to be reckoned with, mopping up everything that came their way.
There’s no denying that Coady is a leader on the pitch too and barking instructions, as well as encouraging players all night was a welcome sight amongst a back four who have looked like rabbits in the headlights at times this season.
Boubakary Soumare is finally showing why Leicester signed him
It’s taken time, but we finally appear to be seeing the Boubakary Soumare Leicester paid £17m for in 2021.
The Frenchman started alongside Wilfred Ndidi in the middle of the park and took on the role of brute enforcer.
Soumare was here, there and everywhere as he tackled, ran back, and springboarded the Foxes into attack.
Leicestershire Live said the Frenchman showed ‘great composure’ on the ball and they couldn’t be more right.
Leicester City's French midfielder #24 Boubakary Soumare controls the ball during the English Premier League football match between Leicester City ...
Photo by ADRIAN DENNIS/AFP via Getty Images
There are times when the midfielder looks disinterested, but it’s all a game. The way he glides across the pitch is so elegant.
Leicester have a decision to make on Soumare since his contract is up next year, but if this is him fighting for his future at the Foxes, he’s doing a very good job to convince.
Touches 49
Accurate Passes 32/36 (89%)
Ground Duels Won 5/8
Aerial Duels Won 1/1
Tackles 4
Boubakary Soumare stats vs West Ham
Patson Daka shines off the bench with deserved goal
Patson Daka has is still getting back up to speed following his return from injury, which only spells bad news for the rest of the Premier League’s defenders.
After replacing Vardy, the Zambia international instantly made an impact, hounding down the West Ham centre-back to retrieve a loose ball and win a corner.
On his day, there isn’t a better finisher at the club. His four-goal haul against Spartak Moscow in the Europa League in 2021 proved that, and he did so again today.
A lovely ball from Victor Kristiansen was seized upon by Daka who then went straight for goal. A little shuffle to regain balance and recompose, the striker then fired into the top corner before wheeling away with his trademark celebration.
Daka has shown glimpses of the form he produced at Red Bull Salzburg, but with one of the best strikers in Premier League history now mentoring him as manager, this could be his breakout season at the King Power Stadium.
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