Likely still celebrating his England call-up to the World Cup, James Maddison (25) wasted no time in validating Gareth Southgate’s assessment, netting the opener within 10 minutes. The Leicester talisman smashed a low ball across the box high into the net from close range to give the ever-improving Foxes an early lead.
However with just 25 minutes played, the goalscorer was forced off with a muscle injury, casting doubt over his participation in Qatar. As half time approached, Brendan Rodgers’ side survived a scare as a would-be equaliser from Tomáš Souček (27) was denied by the linesman’s flag.
An improved showing from the home side prompted thoughts of a potential comeback, but as the final 20 minutes approached, the game remained on a knife edge.
Each of the last seven head-to-heads had featured three or more goals, and with just over 10 minutes to play, the match had its second, as Leicester all but wrapped up the points. Substitute Ayoze Pérez (29) slipped in Harvey Barnes (24) on the break, allowing him to slide the ball past the onrushing Łukasz Fabiański (37), to effectively kill off the game as a contest.
Leicester saw out the final minutes, recording yet another clean sheet to seal a third consecutive league win on the road for the first time in two years. Meanwhile, West Ham have now lost four of their last five Premier League matches heading into the World Cup break.
Flashscore Man of the Match: Boubakary Soumaré (Leicester City)
