West Ham 2-0 Leicester City - Premier League result as Hammers ease to comfortable win over struggling Foxes

West Ham took a step towards safety with an easy 2-0 win over a disappointing Leicester City.

Leicester needed a win to cut the five-point gap to Wolves in 17th, but offered little resistance to Graham Potter’s side.

A goal midway through the first half from Tomas Soucek was followed by Jarred Bowen’s effort a few minutes before half-time, with Leicester defender Jannik Vestergaard credited with an own goal.

In the second half, both sides made a flurry of changes around and after the hour mark to attempt to take control of the match.

West Ham's on-loan striker Evan Ferguson wasted a chance to settle his side’s nerves as he fluffed a golden opportunity, but the Londoners held onto three points to move into 15th, and left Leicester mired in 19th.

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Neil Lennon had nothing positive to say about his former team.

Speaking on TNT Sports, he was asked if the team had already thrown in the towel.

He answered: "Very much so. I hate to say that about any group of players. It’s really hard to make a case for them based on what we’ve seen. West Ham didn’t have to be anywhere near their best to win the game comfortably.

"I thought the first half they were very passive, a little bit better in the second. But zero quality, zero belief in what they were doing, and the game seemed to pass them by."

Joe Cole agreed, adding: "West Ham did not have to be at their best and Leicester were really, really poor in every aspect. You worry for them... You don’t worry for them: I think they’re gone, Leicester and Southampton. How do you get these players to show some kind of spark from now until the end of the season?"

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Tomas Soucek tells TNT Sports: "It’s a great birthday. The birthday is quite big, and after that I just wanted to win. A goal is even better. 

"[Pointing to Alphonse Areola] He got a clean sheet, he can celebrate. We play football. It's our dream, and we got what we wanted.

"It was really important, because we knew we played really well at Arsenal away, but we need this consistency. We wanted to win for our fans at home. The spirit can go up. We need to build on this result. I’m so happy."

Discussing the impact of Graham Potter and the club's ambition for the rest of the season, he adds: "I think the last two games we showed good spirit, team effort, and football style as well. The first half was a very good performance. In the second half there were a few mistakes, but we won 2-0 and it was a great result. This can help our manager, and we’re grateful for him.

"The season is tough, but we want to stay as high as possible and challenge teams near us: Tottenham and Manchester United. We want to stay better than Tottenham."

The Dutchman has been in charge for 13 league games and has earned seven points.

The Foxes are five points from safety, and there must be a serious concern that a new manager boost could be what they need.

There were rumours Ruud van Nistelrooy was upset by the lack of transfer activity in the winter, and they certainly seem to be lacking in quality.

Victory for the home side comes at a canter.

West Ham go up into 15th spot, while Leicester are in trouble in 19th.

The pressure will grow on Ruud van Nistelrooy, as there was little reason for optimism for the Dutchman.

Man of the match Tomas Soucek is off, Irving is on.

Three minutes of added time indicated.

Vestergaard and Kristiansen off.

Thomas and Daka come on for the last 10 minutes or so, depending on added time.

He has space to have a pop from distance, but it's far too high and wide.

It's easy for West Ham as Bowen moves forward, Soler to his right and Ferguson to his left.

Bowen chooses Ferguson, and he can't get the ball out of his feet with urgency, and his shot is blocked.

It only takes a few seconds to score a goal, but much of football has to do with pressure and momentum, and how your opponents handle that. A goal now would give West Ham a much tougher examination rather than one in 10 minutes.

Here comes Ferguson for his third appearance from the bench.

He clatters into Kristiansen on the wing, and is actually quite lucky not to be booked. It was late and appeared to be deliberate.

Evan Ferguson is set to come on for West Ham.

He meets it at the near post, it loops up to the crossbar and Areola is alive to the danger, plucking it out of midair.

A goal here could create nerves.

Graham Potter is making extensive changes to hold onto three points.

Alvarez is off for Soler.

Scarles comes off for Emerson.

Mavropanos replaces Todibo.

But it's just too strong for him. The home side will soon be making some subs.

De Cordova-Reid jogs off, Soumare off as well.