Leicester City 2-2 West Ham United: Craig Dawson equalises in 91st minute

Ricardo Pereira got his first Premier League goal since scoring against West Ham on 22 January 2020

Declan Rice says West Ham have to "keep believing" after Craig Dawson's injury-time header earned them a crucial point in the fight to finish in the top four against a Leicester side who had looked set to put their recent struggles behind them.

"To get the equaliser at the end was a big point for us considering where we are in the table and where we want to get to," said the Hammers' England midfielder Rice.

West Ham, without controversial defender Kurt Zouma, withdrawn after he felt unwell in the warm-up, had lost their way in the game, but rescued the draw that keeps them a point ahead of Manchester United in fourth when Dawson rose highest to meet a Jarrod Bowen corner and score with the top of his arm - which has been deemed not handball in the laws since the start of last season.

"We have to still keep believing," said Rice. "We are around the top four spots now. Many people doubted us this season but we are still positive and a great bunch of lads."

For the hosts, however, it was a tough blow.

The first serious questions were being asked about manager Brendan Rodgers after the FA Cup fourth-round thrashing at Nottingham Forest was followed by defeat at Liverpool.

• Zouma actions should not 'blight' good work - Moyes

The Foxes made a slow start and were punished by Bowen's 10th-minute strike. But they were gifted a lifeline right on half-time when Aaron Cresswell needlessly handled James Maddison's corner, Youri Tielemans drilling home the penalty.

Leicester were galvanised and further rewarded for their improvement when Ricardo Pereira headed home a Harvey Barnes cross after 57 minutes, only for Dawson to deny them late in the game.

Leicester miss big chance

The fragile state of affairs at Leicester was illustrated by the sound of groans and jeers as they passed the ball around at the back after West Ham took an early lead.

Frustration was in the air and returned at the final whistle when the Foxes lost the advantage late on, for the third time recently after losing to Tottenham and drawing with Brighton.

It was a desperate body blow for Rodgers and his players who looked like stepping out of their malaise as they were moments away from coming from behind to win.

The pain was etched on faces all around the King Power Stadium as this was a movie they have seen before.

Leicester have a soft centre without key defenders Jonny Evans and Wesley Fofana.

It was exposed by Issa Diop's pass for Bowen's goal and then again in stoppage time, even after Rodgers had sent on the giant figure of Jannik Vestergaard late on, presumably to guard against such an eventuality as Dawson's goal.

So near and yet so far for the Foxes. Again.

Hammers fall below high standards

West Ham manager David Moyes will have been relieved to earn a point so late on, but also feel his side wasted an opportunity to earn a vital victory.

The Hammers were in control without sparkling in the first half only to throw away a position of power via Cresswell's handball moments before the break.

The goal, coming at such a crucial time, threw West Ham off course and few could have complained had Leicester hung on at the end.

The Hammers were poor after the interval but deserve credit for at least sticking at it to stage another late show.

Moyes can point to the reshuffle that robbed him of Zouma just before the kick-off, but he will also know his side let Leicester off the hook when they had them down, in arrears, and with the crowd restless in the opening period.

It may prove an important point in the final reckoning, and West Ham stay in the top four - albeit having played a game more than Manchester United.

Moyes will know, however, that high standards have been set this season and this was a performance that fell below them.

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