Leicester 2-1 West Ham: Player ratings as Foxes go down despite win
Leicester's 2-1 win over West Ham on the final day of the Premier League season proved inconsequential as they were relegated to the Championship.
The Foxes took the lead through Harvey Barnes just after the hour-mark, which temporarily lifted them out of the relegation zone at the expense of Everton.
But by the time Wout Faes headed home Youri Tielemans' free kick after 61 minutes, the Toffees had jumped above Leicester in the table thanks to Abdoulaye Doucoure's goal.
That proved to be the winner at Goodison Park, condemning Leicester to the second tier just seven seasons after they stunned the world to win the Premier League title.
It was a tense, nervy beginning as Leicester looked to feel out a West Ham side who will contest the Europa Conference League final on June 7 against Fiorentina.
The first half chance of the game fell Kelechi Iheanacho's way, but he scuffed his effort wide of Fabianski's post from 20 yards out.
FAES HEADS HOME FOR LEICESTER! 💥
— Sky Sports Premier League (@SkySportsPL) May 28, 2023
As it stands, they need Everton to drop points to avoid relegation. pic.twitter.com/f0VJw4LxQ2
Michail Antonio then blazed over for West Ham before Leicester found the bit of quality they needed to take the lead. Harvey Barnes exchanged passes with Iheanacho, ghosting in behind Flynn Downes on the blind side. From the angle, he steered a precise effort past Fabianski into the far corner, sending King Power wild with delirium.
The goal came moments after Iheanacho clipped the crossbar with a fizzing effort, and he was again involved in the build-up as James Maddison fired wide.
Said Benrahma hit the base of Daniel Iversen's post, almost bringing West Ham level, but it was 2-0 when Faes rose highest to nod home Youri Tielemans' set piece.
But with Everton winning, the atmosphere at King Power fell flat rather quickly, dampening further when Pablo Fornals pulled a goal back,
There were to be no more goals, with heartbreak for Leicester supporters the overriding emotion after a nailbiting final day.
Leicester player ratings (4-2-3-1)
GK: Daniel Iversen - 6/10 - Not the busiest afternoon but made a smart save from Bowen.
RB: Timothy Castagne - 6/10 - A couple of hairy moments from Benrahma but the Belgian generally had things under control.
CB: Jonny Evans (c) - 7/10 - The veteran defender got his foot in a number of times and, crucially, made smart tactical fouls.
CB: Wout Faes - 7/10 - Scored his first goal for the club in one of his more composed showings.
LB: Luke Thomas - 7/10 - Got up and down the flank for Leicester to good effect.
CM: Boubakary Soumare - 6/10 - Helped Leicester control the tempo for much of the first half.
CM: Youri Tielemans - 7/10 - Will be departing as a free agent in the summer and bows out on the lowest of low notes.
RAM: James Maddison - 7/10 - Another player almost certain to be leaving King Power this summer. Played well without ever really catching fire.
AM: Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall - 6/10 - Gave plenty in the midfield battle.
LAM: Harvey Barnes - 8/10 - Scored a terrific opening goal for Leicester and was a threat all afternoon.
CF: Kelechi Iheanacho - 8/10 - Linked the play up well for Leicester, bringing Barnes and Maddison into the game to good effect.
Substitutes
SUB: Nampalys Mendy (71' for Dewsbury-Hall) - N/A
SUB: Jamie Vardy (77' for Iheanacho) - N/A
SUB: Ricardo Pereira (90+1' for Castagne) - N/A
Subs not used: Smithies (GK), Souttar, Amartey, Mendy, Tete, Praet, Daka
Manager
Dean Smith - 7/10 - His side did everything they needed to do on the day but recent results were ultimately their downfall.
West Ham player ratings (4-3-3)
GK: Lukasz Fabianski - 6/10 - Couldn't do anything about the two goals, made two saves.
RB: Vladimir Coufal - 7/10 - Won the ball back a number of times for West Ham in what was a tricky afternoon.
CB: Thilo Kehrer - 6/10 - Not an overly convincing performance from the German, who is likely to return to the bench against Fiorentina.
CB: Nayef Aguerd - 6/10 - Gets himself into unnecessary trouble at times but has a good turn of foot to recover.
LB: Aaron Cresswell - 6/10 - Not enough impact on the Game from West Ham's perspective.
DM: Declan Rice (c) - 6/10 - Would have preferred to have gone out with a better performance, if this is indeed Rice's last Premier League Game in a West Ham shirt.
CM: Flynn Downes - 7/10 - Buzzed about well in the middle of the park after coming into the side for Soucek.
CM: Lucas Paqueta - 6/10 - Lots of nice bits of control in tight areas but couldn't help fashion any real openings for the Hammers.
RW: Pablo Fornals - 8/10 - Took his goal really well and has every chance of starting against Fiorentina.
CF: Michail Antonio - 6/10 - Another battering ram type performance from Antonio but precious little quality when it mattered.
LW: Said Benrahma - 7/10 - If Fornals is to start against Fiorentina, the chances are Benrahma would be the one to miss out. The Algerian was good here and was runner-up in the club's player of the season here - surely he can't be left out?
Substitutes
SUB: Jarrod Bowen (62' for Benrahma) - 6/10 - Lively after he came on and could easily have scored.
SUB: Danny Ings (62' for Antonio) - 5/10 - Missed an absolute sitter.
SUB: Emerson (71' for Cresswell) - N/A
SUB: Maxwel Cornet (71' for Paqueta) - N/A
SUB: Manuel Lanzini (86' for Downes) - N/A
Subs not used: Areola (GK), Zouma, Ogbonna, Soucek
Manager
David Moyes - 5/10 - A 20th Premier League defeat of the season can only be viewed as concerning, European cup final ahead or not. Must galvanise his side.
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