Twenty minutes remained and the match was effectively over when the home side assembled a string of short passes. Ironic ‘Ole’s!’ echoed around the raucous old ground, followed by a chant of ‘Barcelona — We’re Coming For You!’ West Ham may be fourth at Christmas and Europe may be distantly beckoning, but their fans retain a decent sense of reality. Despite the propaganda from the usual channels, Upton Park is not yet a haven for purists. VIDEOS Scroll down to watch West Ham striker Andy Carroll fires past Leicester City keeper Ben Hamer to give the home side the lead after 24 minutes
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Andy Carroll fired West Ham into the lead in the first half with his third goal since returning from injury
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Stewart Downing doubled the home side's advantage shortly after the break to put West Ham in control
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The Hammers hold on to fourth place in the Barclays Premier League going into Christmas
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Sam Allardyce's men have lost just once in 11 games and remain firmly in contention for a top-four finish
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Leicester City remain rooted to the bottom of the Premier League table and have not won since September
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The Foxes' winless run extends to 12 matches and Nigel Pearson's side are in deep relegation trouble
West Ham
West Ham
West Ham
West Ham
Hammers
Leicester were attacking with some intent when the ball was hacked out of @placeholder’s area.
Leicester City
Leicester City
It was the kind of finish which breaks fragile hearts, and we could see @placeholder’s shoulders sagging at such a self – imposed handicap.