Jamie Vardy helped hand Ruud van Nistelrooy the perfect start as new Leicester boss - and pushed Julen Lopetegui closer to the brink at West Ham.

Striker Vardy pounced after just 98 seconds in Van Nistelrooy's first game in charge, before Bilal El Khannouss and Patson Daka struck to seal victory for the hosts.

The Foxes moved up to 15th in the Premier League, two points behind the Hammers, but lived dangerously and needed goalkeeper Mads Hermansen to frustrate the visitors with a string of fine saves.

Niclas Fullkrug nodded home a consolation for the visitors in stoppage time.

But the pressure will remain on boss Lopetegui as he struggles to find a solution for success with the Hammers.

With just three wins from their last 12 top-flight games, Hammers fans vented their anger at the manager, but Lopetegui claimed not to have heard.

"I am a coach, I'm not aware of what happened around me," he said. "I think we had a good match talking about football but talking about the score, no.

"We have to improve to be more effective in the opposite box and improve our consistency. I'm sure we are able to achieve this in the next challenge.

"There are a lot of matches in front of us and a lot of points, a lot of things which will happen. I believe in these players."

Van Nistelrooy, who was appointed on Friday to replace Steve Cooper, has said he was not a romantic manager who will put style in front of results.

But the King Power Stadium will soon fall in love with the Dutchman if he continues to bring out the Foxes' fighting spirit.