Ruud van Nistelrooy’s Leicester Era Begins with Vital Win

Ruud van Nistelrooy’s Leicester City secured a vital 3-1 victory over West Ham, offering hope to fans after a tough start to the season. Appointed just days earlier to replace Steve Cooper, who was dismissed after 12 Premier League games, the Dutchman saw his side bounce back from a 4-1 loss to Brentford on Sunday with an encouraging home performance. Jamie Vardy scored within 98 seconds extending his remarkable record of netting the first goal under six different Leicester managers. Bilal El Khannouss and Patson Daka added to the tally ensuring the Foxes moved up to 15th, two points behind West Ham.

Despite conceding 31 shots, Leicester’s defense held firm with Conor Coady clearing a near-certain goal off the line and keeper Danny Ward making key saves. Van Nistelrooy praised his players’ fighting spirit, acknowledging the need for improvement in defense, counterattacks and possession. He described his first days at the club as “busy and long” but celebrated the victory with optimism, saying it was “vital” for their confidence. Former Chelsea manager Graham Potter called it the “perfect start,” noting the importance of earning players’ belief through wins.

Leicester’s resilience impressed analysts with Paul Robinson highlighting the team’s transformation and Van Nistelrooy’s effective in-game management. Vardy reflected on the team’s progress under the new manager, emphasizing that more work lies ahead. Meanwhile, Van Nistelrooy, humorously referencing Vardy’s record-breaking 2015 streak, revealed they had a lighthearted chat about it before focusing on the future.

West Ham’s dominant attack including 31 shots and a late consolation by Niclas Füllkrug exposed Leicester’s vulnerabilities but the win signaled promising signs for Ruud van Nistelrooy’s tenure. The Foxes will look to build on this momentum as they continue their battle to climb the table.