George Overhill

Sun 13 February 2022 18:33, UK

A late Craig Dawson goal rescued a 2-2 draw for West Ham at Leicester on Sunday after a second-half capitulation saw them throw away an intial lead.

Jarrod Bowen had put the Hammers ahead inside the opening 10 minutes, running onto an excellent Issa Diop long pass to finish unerringly, and the home fans were jeering their side for much of the first half.

If the Irons had made it to the half ahead things could have been very different, but a mindless handball from Aaron Cresswell from a corner right before the break gave Leicester an equaliser from the penalty spot.

The visitors fell apart in the second half, with both full-backs looking panicked in the face of Leicester attacks, while the midfield disappeared, providing nothing in the way of a shield for the back four, with FA Cup hero Declan Rice going almost unnoticed, until Dawson’s vital goal.

Here West Ham Zone brings you the player ratings from this afternoon’s visit to Leicester City.

Lukasz Fabianski – 5

Barely called upon until he guessed the right way but could not get close enough to Youri Tieleman’s penalty in the closing stages of the first half. Had no chance when Leicester took the lead. Didn’t do much wrong but main involvements was picking the ball out of the net.

Vladimir Coufal – 4

Was forward early without the same threat in crossing as he has become known for. Was tormented by Harvey Barnes after half-time as Leicester took control. Let the winger past him with ease multiple times, one almost leading to a Patson Daka goal, before the cross for the second Leicester goal came after he didn’t close down well enough. Disastrous 20 mins in the second half until he was withdrawn for Fredericks.

Craig Dawson – 7

Just about managed to keep a number of second-half Leicester attacks at bay with last-ditch blocks as both his full-backs capitulated. Found himself up front in search of a desperate late equaliser, before finding one with his shoulder from a 90th-minute corner to rescue his side.

Issa Diop – 7

A late inclusion after Zouma withdrew in the warm-ups with illness and promptly sprayed a wonderful long ball forward to assist Bowen’s opener. Showed good pace to keep Daka in check early. Powerless to keep the home side out in wave after wave of attack later on.

Aaron Cresswell – 4

Conceded a penalty just before the half with a clear handball at a corner, giving Leicester the chance to get back into the game at the worst time after their fans had been getting on top of them. Pereira beat him in the air to put the home side ahead, then was soon booked for a clumsy foul on Daka as evening turned into a nightmare.

Declan Rice – 4

Well below his imperious best. Virtually anonymous until he was booked on the hour for slipping as he arrived late on Wilfred Ndidi. Not close enough to break up endless Leicester moves after the half.

Tomas Soucek – 5

Banged an early elbow in Caglar Soyuncu’s face that went unpunished then made a well-timed tackle at the end of the half that was immediately negated by the penalty concession by Cresswell. By-passed too easily as home side began to dominate later on.

Jarrod Bowen – 8 – Man of the Match

Took an early knock in a collision with Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall to concern Hammers fans, but recovered to run onto Diop’s ball and finish perfectly into the bottom corner inside 10 minutes. Looked sharp and energetic in both attack and defence, as has become customary. One challenge tracking back on the edge of his own area stood out.

Manuel Lanzini – 5

Forced into more defensive work than he should have been as Leicester overran the midfield after half-time. Little impact outside a few combinations with Fornals. Replaced late on.

Pablo Fornals – 5

Combined okay with Lanzini but was given very little platform to perform by the holding pair. Gave the ball away too often. Replaced late on.

Michail Antonio – 6

Looked in some pain mid-way through the half when he went down injured, causing an argument between Kasper Schmeichel and Daniel Amartey. Carried the ball on a couple of strong lone furrows but could not threaten the Leicester keeper before the half. Isolated after the half.

Substitutes

Ryan Fredericks – on for Coufal ’66 – 6

Looked less panicked than Coufal and actually managed to instigate some forward momentum.

Nikola Vlasic – on for Fornals ’79 – 5

Did nothing in short time he had after coming on.

Said Benrahma on for Lanzini ’79 – 6

Volleyed a chance wide soon after coming on, then tested the keeper again as he injected some late intent.

In other West Ham news, Micah Richards called this Hammer “impeccable” after early sequence.