Leicester City 1-1 West Ham United
Report by Tom Coopey with EXCLUSIVE pitchside photos from Emma Bull at The King Power Stadium for Impetus (17/12/23).
Above: West Ham United goalkeeper Megan Walsh focused on her distribution. Photo: Emma Bull for Impetus.
It was the final game of the year and until January 21st for both sides, as they looked to finish on a high into the break. With late action at the King Power, the points were shared in the end. It was disappointing for Leicester not to get their first league win since October, but it was another point on the board. It was a huge point for West Ham, moving them out of the relegation zone, and will give them a massive boost of confidence going into the new year.
Willie Kirk made just the one change from the side that drew to Brighton & Hove Albion, with Courtney Nevin coming in for the injured CJ Bott. The Hammers introduced Shannon Cooke and Anouk Denton into the starting 11, after being on the bench in their narrow loss against Everton last Sunday.
Viviane Asseyi had the first effort of the match, pouncing on a mistake at the back, with her deflected strike causing no real harm for Janina Leitzig as it looped into the arms of the German keeper. After 10 minutes on the clock, the Foxes were building some pressure whilst having a healthy spell of possession.
Kirk would have been pleased with the start his side made, apart from a few moments where the players seemed to be on different wavelengths. West Ham had a threatening moment on the counter-attack, with Riko Ueki on the left side, with the Japanese’s cross-come-shot travelling across the face of goal.
Leitzig made her first real save of the afternoon, pushing aside Jess Ziu’s effort out for a corner. The visitors were looking more dangerous, with Asseyi appealing for a penalty. Aimee Palmer received a yellow card, after a late challenge.
Ueki was at the heart of the attack once more, with her attempt bending just wide of the post this time. West Ham were in again, as a huge chance for the visitors went begging. Ueki slipped Ziu through, with a nice first touch to set her self up, she looked to slot it into the bottom corner, but it dribbled agonisingly wide.
Chances were coming from either end of the pitch, with this game patiently waiting for an opening goal. Both teams were sharing good attacking spells, but neither could provide that clinical finish. Sam Tierney unleashed a fierce strike towards goal, but it was blocked along the way by Lena Petermann.
The Foxes ended the half on a high, with the Hammers defending nervously. After 11 shots throughout the half, the deadlock was unable to be broken. Going in at the break, it was goalless at the King Power.
West Ham made a bright start to the second period, with the Foxes struggling to catch a break. Asseyi tried her luck with an acrobatic attempt, after Letizig spilled the ball from a floated ball in, with her effort looping over.
West Ham were unfortunate not to be ahead. Ueki was free at the back post, with her header looking certain to hit the back of the net, but it was blocked superbly onto the bar. The ball eventually fell out to Asseyi, who blazed it over. There was more panic at the back for Leicester, with Letizig misjudging the ball, which struck the outside of the post.
After a frantic start, it was nearly the home side that took the lead. The ball fell out to Aileen Whelan, with her lofted attempt dropping just wide. There was a delay in play, with Sophie Howard down after a clash of heads. Rehanne Skinner made her first move of the afternoon as the clock struck 60, with Emma Harries coming onto the pitch. Howard could no longer continue for the Foxes, with Missy Goodwin coming on in place of the 30-year-old.
Leicester finally found the opening goal of the match, with Petermann finding the finish. A swift move from the Foxes saw Whelan in space, who sent a delightful ball that found the German striker in the middle, who slotted in for 1-0.
The home side were hungry for more after unlocking the deadlock, having a chance cleared off the line and one hitting the side netting. With the Hammers a goal down, Emma Snerle hoped to make a difference as she was introduced.
Thanks to the heroics of Leitzig, Kirk’s teamstill had their lead in-tact. Harries raced through on goal, but the goalkeeper made her self big to get a vital touch before it was eventually cleared. With 10 minutes plus stoppage time left, Leicester looked to be heading towards a big three points if they could hold on.
Skinner had a final throw of the dice, making a double substitution in the 86th minute. Additionally, the Australian Remy Siemsen came on for the Foxes. 10 minutes of additional time were added on, with West Ham looking to find an equalising goal in a last push.
There was late drama in the East-Midlands, as French defender Hawa Cissoko saw red after a clumsy tackle on Siemsen ledto her second yellow in quick succession, with the Hammers having to play the final moments with 10 players.
Despite being down to 10, West Ham found an equaliser in the eighth minute of additional time. Ademiluyi’s cross found Hayashi at the back post, who bundled it in from close range to find a late leveller.
Ava Baker came on for the Foxes, with Leicester still determined to come away with the three points. The visitors also made a late change, with Jessie Stapleton coming on.
After all the drama, both teams collected a point, which was probably a fair outcome of the game. It was harsh on the Foxes to lose it late on, whereas for West Ham it was a brilliant moment to see them move out of the relegation zone.
Teams: LEICESTER CITY (3-4-3): Leitzig, Nevin, Tierney, Howard, Palmer, Rantala, Petermann, Whelan, Cayman, Green, Thibaud. Substitutes: Kop (GK), Goodwin, Siemsen, Baker, Sherwood, Draper.
Scorers: Petermann 69’.
WEST HAM UNITED (3-4-2-1): Walsh, Smith, Shimizu, Stringer, Ueki, Ziu, Denton, Hayashi, Asseyi, Cooke, Cissoko. Substitutes: Arnold (GK), Harries, Snerle, Filis, Ademiluyi, Stapleton, Atkinson, O’Hanlon, Flannery.
Scorers: Hayashi 90+8’.
Referee: Abigail Byrne
Attendance: 1,521.
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