Gray relief at Leicester ending 2016 with three points

Demarai Gray was relieved to see Leicester City end 2016 on a high and praised the presence of striker Islam Slimani following their 1-0 win over West Ham United.

Slimani, who was signed from Sporting Lisbon in the summer, scored the only goal of the game on New Year’s Eve as he headed home a cross from Marc Albrighton.

And Gray insisted the belief in the Foxes camp has never wavered despite a mixed start to the new season which has seen Champions League success but difficulties in the Premier League.

“We said before the game it was important to end the year on a high and we did that. The performance was good and hopefully we can take that into the next games,” he said.

(Photo by Laurence Griffiths/Getty Images)

“It’s been an up and down start to the season, but every time we’ve been down we’ve tried to react.

“If we get off to a good start and get some momentum, a lot of teams will struggle against us. If we can keep it up I think we can pick up some points.”

“That’s what Islam does, that’s his threat. The attackers were positive and one goal was enough. Sometimes the game turns around and the opposition are on top.

“We all stuck together. We said in the changing room this might happen and we rode it out.”