Leicester City is yet again top of the table following their 2-1 victory away to West Ham at the Boleyn Ground, continuing their perfect start to the campaign. First half goals to Shinji Okazaki and Riyad Mahrez were enough to see the Foxes home, despite a fast finishing Hammers side who threatened to get at least a point from the game.
The Foxes led after 28 minutes when Okazaki netted his first goal for his new club, tidying up his initially blocked effort, heading home from close range after Jamie Vardy provided the Japanese international with the chance.
Leicester’s lead was soon doubled eleven minutes later when Mahrez scored his third goal in two games, clinically finishing off a brilliant counter-attacking move. Albrighton was once again the provider, with his third assist of the season.
West Ham were the better side throughout the second half, and Dimitri Payet continued to prove his worth for the Hammers. The Frenchman curled an effort into the top left corner in the 55th minute, setting up a tense 35 final minutes of the contest. However, West Ham could not find an equaliser, and had goalkeeper Adrian controversially sent off in added time.
Last week was no fluke for Leicester
Six points from six for Leicester City and they are proving to be one of the most exciting teams in the league. Happy to play on the counter-attack, the Foxes stunned the home side twice in relatively quick succession and in impressive fashion. With Vardy, Okazaki, Mahrez and Albrighton in the ranks, the Foxes are lethal on the break and for the second week running, have caused serious troubles for the opposing defences. Able to defend for long periods themselves, Ranieri’s outfit are well-organised and looking a lot more impressive than many expected.
Reece Oxford is indeed 16 years old
Much of the talk following West Ham’s heroics last week surrounded the fairytale debut of young gun Reece Oxford. After being given a starting berth against a formidable Arsenal attack, the 16-year-old was outstanding in quelling his much-heralded opponents’ influence.
A week is a long time in football, however, and while one must not be critical of a player so young, Oxford looked off the pace in his second outing against a very sharp Leicester attacking outfit. Oxford was substituted at half time for new signing Pedro Obiang, serving as a reminder to the football community (in particular English fans searching for their next saviour) that despite the impressive feat of debuting so young (and so well), patience needs to be afforded in his continuing development.
Oxford was not alone, however, in being unable to deal with Leicester’s quick ball movement, and should still feature throughout the season.
Vardy and Okazaki will continue to be a lethal partnership
Vardy has had a week he would like to forget. Following an incident at a casino in which Vardy allegedly racially abused a Japanese man, much talk has surrounded his immediate playing future with both club and country, including the potential impact on his relationship with new strike partner Okazaki.
Reports have suggested throughout the week that there was no tension between the two, and as if to reiterate the club’s assurances, it was Vardy and Okazaki who combined to put the Foxes in front.
The pace and work-rate of the two has been one of the main contributing factors to Leicester’s early season form, and their performance against the Hammers will be reassuring for Leicester fans for the rest of the season.
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‘Tinkerman’ resists the urge to tinker
Ranieri, known as the ‘Tinkerman’ for his reputation to constantly alter his team’s lineups, decided against any changes for the match against West Ham, defying one of his most defining features as a manager.
It is not difficult to see why Ranieri went with an unchanged lineup, considering the 4-4-2 formation allows his team to play to its strength – playing fast, attacking football. However, the Foxes were content with less possession this week, seeing only 30% of the ball against the Hammers, yet creating 11 chances to 10, (6 of which were on target, compared to West Ham’s 3).
Ranieri has remained true to his word though, stating upon his appointment that he vows to transition the side to playing his own style gradually. The early season form may bring about a rethink as to whether much needs to be changed at all.
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