Foxes face a fight to keep Schmeichel
DO NOT try to praise Kasper Schmeichel for making a brilliant save – he will just tell you to get on with your own job.
The Leicester goalkeeper is inthe form of his life. Penalty saves in each of the Champions League games against Sevilla saw his team through to the quarter-finals, and on Saturday two astonishing stops earned Craig Shakespeare’s team their first away win of the season.
Alone among the Leicester players, Schmeichel has maintained the form of last season, his brilliance reviving memories of his legendary father Peter. He has also been a leader on the pitch.
Liverpool, Manchester City and Arsenal have all had goalkeeping problems, and the vultures will surely circle the King Power Stadium.
Winger Marc Albrighton admitted Leicester might have problems keeping hold of the 30-year-old this summer. “Kasper is rightly getting recognition now as one of the top keepers in Europe, and he deserves the plaudits – he’s been superb for us,” he said.
“Teams will probably come sniffing – but not many could afford him.”
Two extraordinary stops in this game drew gasps. First the Dane clawed away Andy Carroll’s far-post header and, right at the end with the Hammers centreforward six yards out and apparently certain to score, Schmeichel flung out an arm and achieved the seemingly impossible.
Albrighton said: “If you give him a pat on the back, he’s more likely to push you away and tell you to get on with it than stand there and take the plaudits. He’s the first
WEST HAM LEICESTER
to tell you it’s his job to make saves instead of lapping up the praise.”
Schmeichel is Leicester’s vicecaptain and with his voice bellowing out from the back, he filled the role perfectly. Shakespeare said: “You will hear Kasper – wherever you are.”
West Ham started woefully. After four minutes, Riyad Mahrez’s cross from the right was missed by everyone and flew in at the far post. Three minutes later Robert Huth nodded home.
West Ham pulled one back when Manuel Lanzini curled in a free-kick, but six minutes before half-time there was more chaos from a corner and Jamie Vardy took advantage. It was back to the bad old days at the London Stadium and the locals grumbled.
West Ham at last started to play after an hour but then found Schmeichel in the way before Andre Ayew pulled another one back to spark a late barrage of pressure.
West Ham have lost three on the bounce, and a good January has faded into an uncertain spring.
Defender Jose Fonte said: “We have to get back to basics, defend as a team, as a whole, having the desire to help your friend and your team-mate.”
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