VAN NISTELROOY HAILS FOXES' SPIRIT

He starts tenure with 3-1 win over West Ham but knows 'lots of things to work on'

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LONDON - Ruud van Nistelrooy savoured his first match in charge of Leicester City with a 3-1 English Premier League home win over West Ham United on Dec 3, while Crystal Palace edged out Ipswich Town 1-0.

Jamie Vardy, Bilal El Khannouss and Patson Daka got the goals as the Dutchman enjoyed a dream start to his new role, shortly after his departure from Manchester United.

"On a long-term basis, we know the performances need to get better. But the spirit and how we want to do things, we saw them today," said van Nistelrooy.

"In the end, you look at the result and the three points, it's vital.

"We know the level in the Premier League and we know every game we play that everything has to be right. We have to train and develop our defence, our counter-attack, our possession.

"Lots of things to work on but very happy with the three points."

A lethal finisher in his playing days, van Nistelrooy watched on approvingly as Vardy opened the scoring after just 99 seconds at the King Power Stadium.