text: Leicester boss Nigel Pearson would have had the 'outstanding' Esteban Cambiasso down as his man of the match in Saturday's 2-1 win over West Ham even if the veteran Foxes midfielder had not scored his fine goal. Cambiasso netted with a sweet strike in the 12th minute to put his side 1-0 up at the King Power Stadium, hitting the ball first time from just outside the box after it had sat up for him from a ricochet. And Pearson said of the 34-year-old former Real Madrid, Inter Milan and Argentina player: 'Even if he hadn't scored the goal, I would still have said he was man of the match. Leicester midfielder Esteban Cambiasso has received high praise from his manager Nigel Pearson . The former Real Madrid and Inter Milan star celebrates after putting his side in the lead against West Ham . Leicester remain rooted to the bottom of the table . 'And with the goal, I think it is pretty obvious he was. I think he was outstanding.' The victory to which Cambiasso contributed - sealed by substitute Andy King's late tap-in, following Cheikhou Kouyate's equaliser around the half-hour - gave Barclays Premier League basement boys Leicester a much-needed boost in their bid for survival. It was their first win in nine league matches and cut the gap between them and safety to four points with eight games left to play. Cambiasso, who has won the Spanish and Italian league titles as well as the Champions League, had said in the build-up to the fixture that helping the club beat the drop would be like claiming another trophy. And Pearson added: 'Success is relative and success in the past for him, with the clubs he has played for, was winning titles and cups, and success for him at Leicester this year will be to be a player who has been instrumental in us avoiding relegation. 'Hopefully he will be a success at that as well. 'I was really pleased with his contribution against West Ham and the other players have a very healthy respect for him.' Pearson congratulates goalscorer Cambiasso after the final whistle of his side's win against the Hammers . Cambiasso, Jamie Vardy (left) and David Nugent (right) look relieved after their narrow home win . Mid-table West Ham, now with only one win in nine league games, almost found themselves 2-0 down early on on Saturday, with goalkeeper Adrian coming to their rescue by saving David Nugent's 15th-minute penalty. But they went on to show plenty of attacking intent from there and nearly took the lead themselves in the second half when Kouyate hit the post. Hammers boss Sam Allardyce was pleased to see his side play in a dynamic style but stressed that, ultimately, a lack of clinical finishing meant they had failed to do their job properly. 'We had enough opportunities, so did they (Leicester) and it was a really open game, really end-to-end stuff,' Allardyce said. 'From an entertainment point of view, for a neutral it was fantastic. 'From our point of view, it is great to play open, attractive football and create chances, but the bottom line is we haven't got anything out of it - and we are here as professionals to come away with what should at least have been a draw.'
target: Esteban Cambiasso helped his side claim a vital victory against West Ham .
  Cambiasso scored opening goal in Leicester's 2-1 win over the Hammers .
  Nigel Pearson has backed the Argentinian to lift Leicester out of drop zone .
  The Foxes are bottom of the Premier League table with 22 points .