Kouyate comes good for spirited Hammers

West Ham 1 Leicester City 1

It’s into the Best Café after braving the Oxford Circus incident that wasn’t, where Alison’s looking forward to being chauffeur-driven home by Scott, Lisa is replacing the working Matt and Nigel is quipping that if we’d waited another week Mugabe would have been available for the manager’s job. We’re joined by The Gav and Ilona, a member of the Russian Irons, who is rather amused by the geographically inexact chant of, “My name is Ludek Miklosko I come from near Moscow.”  

We leave the cafe, travel down the shouty tunnel and get in just after kick-off because everyone is having to turn out their pockets for the searches. “Leicester are 1-0 up… only joking” quips Nigel’s steward. He’s proved quite prescient. The usual pattern of giving a sloppy goal appears as Leicester score with their first attack after seven minutes. Reid backs off Vardy whose cross goes straight through Ogbonna and is steered into the corner by Albrighton.

NOT ALBRIGHTON ON THE NIGHT 

With Gray and Vardy quick on the break, the Foxes have chances to make it two. Masuaku is slightly lucky not to concede a penalty for a shove on Albrighton, while Vardy slices just wide. But slowly the Hammers come back into it.  The change in managerial regime appears to be having an effect, as exemplified by Arnautovic getting back into his own box to make a saving tackle after Reid dithers. Masuaku is getting in some good crosses on the left and looks more dynamic than the dropped Noble. Andy Carroll is taking a lot of balls on his chest and linking play while he also appears to have been told not to use his elbows. Kouyate is looking much more energetic and West Ham are pressing in groups of three against Leicester’s defence, almost as if they’ve been watching a Danny Murphy masterclass on Match of the Day.

CHEIKHOU MATE 

Schmeichel has to make a decent save as Lanzini’s free kick is headed goalwards by Ogbonna. With two minutes to go to half-time West Ham gain a corner. Lanzini’s kick is met by Kouyate’s head and the ball flicks off Simpson’s shoulder and into the net. A great time to score as Cheikhou runs to the fans. It’s good to see Moyes pumping his fists on the touchline. And as a bonus we also remember not to concede within 30 seconds of scoring.

West Ham are much improved in the second half. And something happens to the crowd. For all the talk of the West Ham way, it’s as much about effort as style. Seeing the players put in a conspicuous working-class shift the crowd suddenly really gets behind the team. Half the stadium is standing and it’s suddenly more like Upton Park. Choruses of “Come on you Irons!” and “Stand up if you Love West Ham!” resound around the London Stadium, and as the concrete is heartily banged a rousing, “We are West Ham’s claret and blue army!” It’s not yet “David Moyes’ claret and blue army” as some papers reported, but the crowd are presumably waiting for my fellow season-ticket holder Fraser to start that one.

Arnautovic gets clattered in his own box defending again and it’s heartening to hear him receive a standing ovation as he’s subbed by Ayew. "One thumb! He's only got one thumb!" comes the chant from behind us. Andre seems very hyped-up and immediately shouts at the linesman before trying to win a penalty with what looks like a dive over Maguire’s foot.

WE ARE WEST HAM'S CLARET AND BLUE ARMY

We do our bit. Nigel gets out his lucky banana while Ilona and Gavin produce a lucky packet of assorted sweets. Lisa has to fend off an incendiary text from Matt after Masuaku gets through in a perfect position to cross only to miskick.

There are six minutes of added time and West Ham’s best effort is an overhead kick from Ayew that flies on to the roof of the net. But a point is a sign of progress and it’s been a much improved team performance. The players have shown some pride and workrate.

We retreat to the Refreshment Room, where the Blue Moon beer comes with an added slice of orange, which Fraser points out is one of my five a day. Gavin reminisces about the delights of real ale in Upminster and Fraser reveals that if he had unlimited finance and the power of regeneration he’d bring back Ron Greenwood.

At least we haven’t lost by three goals again. Even though it’s only a point, if the Irons can play with this level of determination and get Antonio and Hernandez back, then West Ham will get results.

PLAYER RATINGS: Hart 6; Zabaleta 6, Reid 6, Ogbonna 5, Cresswell 6; Arnautovic 7 (Ayew 6), Kouyate 7, Obiang 6, Lanzini 6, Masuaku 7 (Sakho n/a); Carroll 6; The Fans 10.