Islam Slimani celebrates after scoring for Leicester against West Ham
But if his 20th-minute winner helps save the Foxes from the embarrassment of being only the second top-flight side to go down trying to defend their title, then he will be one of the bargains of the year.
Slimani probably wouldn't have even got the start but for Jamie Vardy's three-match ban after his pre-Christmas red card. But he ended the most memorable year in Leicester’s history as the New Year toast.
The Algerian striker could easily have had a hat-trick – or even more – and that was just in the first half.
PA
Islam Slimani (left) scored the opener
He headed against the post, scored the Foxes’ opener - his powerful effort flying past Darren Randolph - and also had the ball snatched off his toe by a desperate lunge from Havard Nordtvelt, just as he was about to turn away to celebrate a second time.
The victory – only their fifth this season and their first in four games – lifts them six points above the drop zone.
But perhaps the brightest sign for Leicester chief Claudio Ranieri was his team’s mass defending – as the Foxes try to avoid the fate of 1937 champions Manchester City, who were relegated 12 months later.
Michail Antonio, Dimitri Payet and Andre Ayew all had opportunities to level in a frantic 60 seconds. But Danny Simpson, keeper Kasper Schmeichel and Daniel Amartey hurled their bodies in the way reminiscent of last season’s title-winning heroics.
REUTERS
Champions Leicester finish 2016 in the bottom half of the table
Invalid email
We use your sign-up to provide content in ways you've consented to and to improve our understanding of you. This may include adverts from us and 3rd parties based on our understanding. You can unsubscribe at any time. Read our Privacy Policy
Man of the match Marc Albrighton said: “I think that game sums up our year. Grit, determination, everything - we showed it in abundance today and we need to build on this in the New Year. "It's no secret that we're not in a place that we want to be at the moment, but the performance today was tremendous.”
West Ham boss Slaven Bilic was well within his rights to complain that luck wasn’t always on the Hammers’ side. His team had 25 attempts on goal but only five of them were on target.
And Bilic said: “Very, very frustrating to lose the game like this.
“We gave everything so it is a shame and a frustration, but we played good today.”