Feghouli relishing Hammers clash with compatriots

Sofiane Feghouli admits he will have to put national allegiances to one side when West Ham take on Leicester on New Year’s Day with Algerian compatriots Islam Slimani and Riyad Mahrez set to line up for the Foxes.

The Hammers have started to turn the corner in recent weeks with three straight wins in the Premier League and will look to extend that run against the current champions.
Claudio Ranieri’s side have won just once since late October in the league and are in desperate need of a victory to edge away from the relegation places.

But Feghouli believes West Ham are on a roll and is hopeful that they can build on a 4-1 win over Swansea last time out.

(Laurence Griffiths/Getty Images)

“It’s a match against two teammates, two brothers, so it’s always a pleasure to play against them,” Feghouli said.

“I hope we will be able to win it to climb up the table again and to make our supporters happy.

“It was a very good result for the team (against Swansea). We scored four goals and won 4-1, it’s never easy to score so many goals especially away from home, so it’s very good for the confidence.”

“It was the third victory on the trot, we need to keep it up and try to do better and to improve and work on our weaknesses and eliminate any errors.

“There are some things that come naturally to me, and with Andy [Carroll], I know that when I tear down the wing, he likes to hang back and wait at the back post to be able to win the ball.  I knew he was in that area so I was happy that he scored and also happy that I was able to deliver a decisive pass.”