FT: Leicester City 1-1 West Ham: 10-man Hammers’ strong defending can’t stop Ndidi’s deflection goal

It was once again another moment Saturday evening in West Ham United history of late for the club to see a crushing late goal conceded. It was in the form of a deflected Wildfred Ndidi effort right before stoppage time, as the 10-men Hammers had to settle for a 1-1 draw at Leicester City.

It looked like Manuel Pellegrini’s side were headed to a terrific team win, as West Ham overcame Leicester’s control of the early stages with a well-worked set piece goal in the 30th minute, as Declan Rice redirected Robert Snodgrass’ delivery into the path of the Paraguayan centerhalf.

But the Hammers suffered a major blow in the 38th minute, when captain Mark Noble was given a straight red card for a high challenge on Ndidi. With a man disadvantage for the remaining 50 minutes of the contest, Pellegrini knew his side would have to be on their top marks defensively to preserve a clean sheet and all three points.

It seemed, despite Leicester’s constant attacks on goal with Jamie Vardy hitting the crossbar that the Hammers would indeed get a great win. But in the 89th minute, Ndidi’s attempt from distance caught a piece of Balbuena and rendered Lukasz Fabianski helpless to stop it to level the match.

West Ham did have a chance to win it just a few moments later, but Angelo Ogbonna placed his great attempt over the bar. The Hammers next match will be against Tottenham again, this time in the League Cup on Wednesday.