Shakespeare honeymoon goes on as Leicester win at West Ham

Riyad Mahrez and Jamie Vardy were both on the score-sheet as Leicester City won their first away game of the season with a 3-2 triumph over West Ham United.

The Foxes came into the game brimming with confidence after an unforgettable victory over Sevilla in the Champions League and they were celebrating once more after only five minutes at the London Stadium when Mahrez opened the scoring, two minutes before Robert Huth doubled the advantage.

Manuel Lanzini pulled a goal back for the hosts in some style on 20 minutes with a wonderful free-kick but the Hammers’ vulnerable defence was exposed once again when Vardy reacted quickest to tap in from Mahrez’s corner on 38 minutes to give Leicester a commanding lead at the break.

Andre Ayew netted shortly after the hour-mark to give West Ham a fighting chance but they couldn’t find an equaliser as Andy Carroll spurned a couple of gilt-edged opportunities.

It all means 15th placed Leicester are now six points above the relegation zone and only three behind West Ham who have now lost fourth consecutive matches.

Craig Shakespeare, take a bow: The caretaker boss has guided the Foxes to four wins from four matches, including an historic victory over Sevilla and the club’s first away win of the season. Their heroes of last season, Riyad Mahrez and Jamie Vardy, look much happier now that the Englishman is in charge and although it may not be easy to admit, the Leicester board were 100 per cent correct with the decision to sack Claudio Ranieri.

Kasper Schmeichel (Leicester) – The goalkeeper is playing out of his skin at the moment and he was in inspirational form once more.

West Ham: Randolph 6, Byram 5, Fonte 6, Reid 6, Cresswell 6, Kouyate 6, Obiang 6, Ayew 6, Lanzini 7, Antonio 6, Carroll 6. Subs: Snodgrass 6, Masuaku 5, Fernandes 5.

Leicester: Schmeichel 8, Simpson 7, Huth 7, Benalouane 6, Fuchs 6, Mahrez 7, Ndidi 6, Drinkwater 7, Albrighton 7, Okazaki 7, Vardy 7. Subs: Chilwell N/A, Musa 5, Slimani 5.

5’ - GOAL! Leicester are ahead! Mahrez curls a cross into the penalty area, it misses everyone and ends up in the back of the net! Poor defending from the Hammers but Leicester won't care one bit!

7’ - GOAL! Huth doubles Leicester's advantage as he heads in from the back post from Albrighton's delightful cross. West Ham are all over the place defensively!

20’ - GOAL! Lanzini punishes Leicester as he smashes in the free-kick. Schmeichel didn't stand a chance! West Ham haven't been in the game at all but now it's game on.

38’ - GOAL! IT'S VARDY! The England striker gets away from his marker in the six-yard area to tap in from Mahrez's corner! It's his eighth goal of the season.

63’ - GOAL! The corner is sent in, Carroll wins the header in the six-yard box leaving Ayew with a simple finish as he heads in from a few yards out. Game on!

78’ - WHAT.A.MISS! Ayew will have nightmares about this one... he is played through one-on-one with Schmeichel, he has all the time in the world to pick his spot but blasts it over the bar.

90’+2 FANTASTIC SAVE! Snodgrass' free-kick is blocked but the ball falls kindly to Carroll who is denied by a reaction save by Schmeichel!

Craig Shakespeare becomes the first manager to have his team score at least three goals in each of his first three Premier League matches in charge.

Leicester City win their first PL away match since the 2-0 win at Sunderland on 10 April 2016.

John Terry (15) and Gareth McAuley (12) are the only defenders with more headed goals in the PL since the start of 2009/10 than Robert Huth (9).