Super Eagles striker’s first goal of the season not enough as Wilfred Ndidi steers Leicester to West Brom win

Four Nigeria internationals were in action at the Hawthorns as the Foxes boosted their promotion hopes with a crucial win

Leicester City claimed a last-gap 2-1 victory over West Bromwich Albion, with Wilfred Ndidi and Josh Maja both impressing for the two teams, Soccernet.ng reports.

With both teams avoiding defeats in each of their last two games, a tough encounter was anticipated at the Hawthorns ahead of kick-off.

West Brom manager Carlos Corberan returned Semi Ajayi to his starting lineup but kept Josh Maja on the bench, with the former Sunderland striker slowly returning to full fitness.

Leicester City boss Vincenzo Maresca threw in Kelechi Iheanacho and Wilfred Ndidi from kickoff as he searched for their 15th league win of the campaign.

Neither side shifted ground for the first 71 minutes until Ndidi unlocked the West Brom defence with the cross that Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall headed in for the game’s opener.

The home side reacted swiftly, sending on Maja for Diangana, and the Nigerian forward netted the equaliser for the Albions a minute before regulation time for his first goal of the season.

Maja drew the game level by poking home from close range after Leicester were just unable to clear their line. It would be recalled that he scored 16 goals in Ligue 2 for Bordeaux last term.

And when it appeared like Maja’s goal had earned a share of the spoils for the Baggies, Harry Winks popped up deep into stoppage time with the winning goal for the visitors from a swift counter-attack initiated by Iheanacho. 

Iheanacho played every minute of the clash, while Ndidi was replaced in the 87th minute.

The victory extends Leicester’s lead at the top of the Championship table to four points, with the Foxes holding a comfortable advantage over Ipswich Town in second place.

Despite the defeat, West Brom remain in the playoff spots with 32 points from 19 games and will stay there regardless of whatever other results other teams cook up this weekend.