Leicester City 0-2 West Ham United
- Published
- comments
Mark Noble celebrates scoring his fourth goal of the season to put West Ham 2-0 up at Leicester
Manager David Moyes says he "wants to look up the table" after his West Ham team secured their Premier League status with a comfortable victory at Leicester.
Mark Noble's stunning volley capped a dominant performance from the visitors, who opened the scoring through Joao Mario.
"I feel as if I want to look up the table and win the last two games," Moyes said.
"The team is more than capable of winning lots of games. We defended better than we did in other games which gave us a good chance."
And with the Hammers now on 38 points and holding an unassailable five-point advantage over Swansea and Southampton, who play each other on Tuesday, the West Ham manager has cause for optimism.
Maximum points from their two remaining fixtures against Manchester United and Everton could bring mid-table finish.
It was a disappointing afternoon for the hosts, who wrapped up the Premier League title two years ago this week.
The Foxes' meek surrender leaves them ninth after a fourth defeat in five games and is also likely to intensify pressure on manager Claude Puel, who was given a vote of confidence by the club's owners on Friday.
"Sometimes there's tough periods without a good performance. It's normal that we can have some negative activity," said Puel, whose team were booed off at half-time.
"It's not the time to discuss about the summer. Now it's just to try and finish the last two games."
Safety confirmed for West Ham
A combination of West Ham's win and results elsewhere confirmed that their Premier League place had been preserved.
Swansea's defeat at Bournemouth coupled with Southampton's draw at Everton in the late Saturday kick-off, meant that the Hammers could not be caught.
Going into Saturday's contest, Moyes' team had won one match in eight but looked resolute in defence and showed a sense of urgency the hosts were unable to match.
Noble exemplified their efforts, urging his team-mates forward at every opportunity and covering more ground that any other player (11.66km).
Moyes looking up table after Leicester win
His volley was a fitting reward for his effort - though Marko Arnautovic also lauded by Moyes, played a key role.
"It was a great goal from Mark Noble, he epitomises much about West Ham. He's been there every week for us and he deserves it. He's got that in his locker.
"Marko Arnautovic has been terrific since I came in. He's always close to a goal. All season I've been really pleased with him."
While the Austrian did not add to his tally of 10 league goals but his presence was felt by the home defence all afternoon.
He teed up on-loan Inter Milan midfielder Mario for the opening goal - but was perhaps fortunate to escape a harsher punishment when his flailing arm caught Harry Maguire in the first half.
Pressure on Puel?
Leicester started this fixture still capable of catching Everton and earning a top-eight finish for only the second time since the 1999-00 season.
However, another limp display extended a dismal sequence of results that has included two victories in 12 outings.
Puel's hand was admittedly limited given he was hampered by injuries and suspensions.
Yet even without nine senior players he would surely have hoped for greater urgency and fight from his players with owner Vichai Srivaddhanaprabha present in the stands.
Foxes lacking confidence - Claude Puel
"It was a tough game for us," Puel said.
"We started without a lot of confidence because we had young players played and things like referee's decisions can give a boost to the other team."
Had Aaron Cresswell been dismissed for deliberately grabbing the ball after falling over with Jamie Vardy set to run clear on goal with the score at 1-0, the momentum of the game may have shifted back towards his team.
His future, though, remains a matter of conjecture despite a club statement offering the owner's full support on Friday.
Man of the match - Mark Noble (West Ham)
West Ham captain Mark Noble provided the games defining moment with a goal he described as "the best I've scored"
First win at Leicester since 2000 - the stats
Leicester are without a win in six home Premier League games, their longest such streak since a run of six ending on 26 December 2014.
West Ham registered their first clean sheet in their past nine top-flight away games.
The Foxes have lost four of their past five league games (D1), as many defeats as they had suffered in their previous 13.
West Ham have scored in their past 11 away league games - their longest scoring run in the top flight since December 1966 (14 games).
Leicester have failed to score in three consecutive Premier League games for the first time since February 2017.
Arnautovic has been directly involved in nine goals in his past eight away league games for West Ham.
Noble scored his 37th Premier League goal - only two players have scored more for West Ham (Paolo di Canio 47, Carlton Cole 41), with Trevor Sinclair also on 37.
What's next?
Leicester welcome Arsenal to King Power Stadium on Wednesday, 9 May (19:45 BST), while West Ham host Manchester United on 10 May at London Stadium (19:45).