London: A stunning goal by Stewart Downing helped in-form West Ham to a 2-0 win over bottom of the table Leicester in their Premier League clash on Saturday extending the visitors’ winless run to 12 games.
Downing’s goal — his third in the past seven games but first at home this season — along with Andy Carroll’s third of the campaign confirmed the Hammers strong showing this term and saw them strengthen their hold on fourth place.
The mercurial Carroll struck only minutes after he had missed an open goal in the first-half.
The former England striker was helped on his way as former Hammers defender Paul Konchesky played an awful backpass almost from his own halfway line, seemingly blind to the fact Carroll was lurking.
Carroll this time kept his nerve to finish off the chance placing the ball beyond Ben Hamer.
Hamer’s opposite number Adrian did well to keep his side ahead when he reacted brilliantly to punch over the bar a shot from Riyad Mahrez.
Leicester produced little of note apart from that looking like a side drained of confidence and it was no surprise when West Ham doubled their lead in the 56th minute with Downing’s stunner.
Receiving the ball well outside the penalty area he let rip with a curling left footed-effort that gave Hamer no chance of saving it.
The visitors were having little luck and veteran David Nugent, who was passed fit to play after recovering from a calf injury, saw a shot brilliantly saved by Adrian.
Adrian was on top form and he again denied Leicester close to the end, this time saving from Leo Ulloa.
