Slimani hammer-blow eases pressure on Ranieri
ISLAM SLIMANI eased any growing relegation pressure at Leicester as the champions held on to beat West Ham.
The striker’s header sent the Foxes six points clear of the Premier League bottom three with just a second topflight win since October.
Michail Antonio hit the bar for the Hammers who, despite dominating the second half, failed to find a way through to end their run of three straight wins.
Leicester are now just two points behind the Hammers.
Boss Claudio Ranieri had urged his team to give him more and they delivered during a frantic first half, before riding out second-half pressure from the visitors.
The recalled Riyad Mahrez forced Darren Randolph into a smart save after just 70 seconds, before Slimani wasted a fine opening after four minutes.
Marc Albrighton and Danny Simpson combined to send Albrighton clear and his deep cross was met by Slimani, only for the striker to head against the outside of a post.
The Algeria international, with just two goals in his previous 11 games, should have scored and the Foxes briefly rode their luck when Antonio snatched at chances at the far post. But Leicester were on top and had rediscovered the intensity which was so badly lacking in their 2-0 defeat to Everton on Boxing Day.
With Mahrez taking up attention behind Slimani, wingers Demarai Gray and Albrighton were given extra space and it was Albrighton who conjured the winner after 20 minutes.
A slick, one-touch move saw Danny Drinkwater feed Albrighton on the right and his outstanding firsttime delivery looped on to Slimani’s head and the forward gave Randolph no chance from six yards.
It was a lead Leicester deserved and one they almost doubled immediately, but Randolph denied Slima ni from point-blank range.
Shades of last year’s title triumph shone through as Leicester refused to allow West Ham time, with Gray again impressing on just his third Premier League start of the season.
But, rather than inspire the champions, their efforts roused the visitors and they nearly levelled when Kasper Schmeichel saved from Dimitri Payet, and Andre Ayew failed to turn the ball in during the subsequent scramble. Antonio then came the closest to levelling when his smart volley from 15 yards rattled the bar.
Schmeichel saved Payet’s free- kick, before Randolph was forced to do the same with a Mahrez effort in stoppage time.
After the break the Hammers dictated play but, with Andy Carroll and Payet misfiring, they were too predictable and any attempt to break through was met by comfortable resistance from the Foxes.
Carroll headed wide with five minutes left before Chilwell and Shinji Okazaki almost made the game safe in injury time.