Craig Dawson was expecting VAR to intervene after his injury-time goal went in off the top of his arm.
The centre-back rose highest in the Leicester box with just a couple of minutes left on the clock and threw himself at Jarrod Bowen's corner. The ball hit the back of the net sparking pandemonium in the away end and despair from the home fans as the Hammers players wheeled off in celebration.
However, Dawson admitted he was nervous that his strike would be ruled out by VAR as he knew the ball had connected with the top of his arm on its way in.
"Of course [it was an important strike]," Dawson said. "We were working hard to get the goal, and luckily enough it went in. I was slightly worried [about the VAR review] but it counted, so that’s all that matters. It was a fair point for us today."
He added: "Set-pieces are something we work hard on. It was a great ball into the box [from Bowen] and luckily it went in. The manager made a couple of changes which helped us out, and the lads put a shift in to the end."
After a quick VAR review the goal was ruled legal and former Premier League referee Mark Clattenburg explained in the Daily Mail why it was allowed to stand.
"The corner came in and hit the top of Craig Dawson's arm, by his shoulder," said Clattenburg. "The law since the start of last season has said that this area does not constitute handball like it used to.
"There now needs to be clear evidence that the ball has struck the player lower than the bottom of the armpit for a handball to be awarded. In this case, because the ball hit Dawson high up and close to his shoulder, this was legal and referee Michael Oliver and VAR Chris Kavanagh were right to let it stand."
The point saw fourth-placed West Ham move one point clear of Manchester United who only managed a draw this weekend and extended the Hammers lead on Arsenal, Wolves and Spurs.
The Gunners are two points back but have three games in hand on David Moyes' team, while Wolves are four points off the Hammers having played two less.
Tottenham's defeat at home to Bruno Lage's sides leaves Spurs in eighth place, five points off West Ham, however, they do still have three games in hand on the Hammers due to Covid postponements.
