West Ham secured a 2-0 win over the unpredictable Leeds United in a game which summed up The Hammers’ style of football this season. Goals from loanee Jesse Lingard and defender Dawson gave the three points to the side from East London.
West Ham fans have undoubtedly been pinching themselves this season, not only are they ‘up there’ in the table, but they’re right up there. On approach to this fixture, they found themselves in the European spots of the league. As for Leeds, it had been a season of ups and downs up to this point. They’ve been a side who have struggled to string together successive wins. Form which must be sorted out should they want Premier League longevity.
West Ham started their in-form threat, Jesse Lingard: since moving from Man United he had brought The Hammers a great deal in terms of attacking power. Captain Declan Rice would start, too.
The Leeds team was as you’d expect. They too had a man in form – Rafinha. He would look to feed Bamford up top.
Early in the game, Leeds netted two goals, with both being ruled out. The more notable of the two was Roberts’ finish which looked pretty close to being onside. Nonetheless, Leeds were denied their goals and the game remained nil-nil.
The home side casually grew into the match, chances were still few in number but West Ham were beginning to turn the tide.
Around the 20 minute mark was when Jesse Lingard got his break. The England international raced into the box at high speed from the left-flank. Luke Ayling was left powerless as Lingard turned inwards. A clumsy foot from Ayling brought down the West Ham man. The referee wasted little time in pointing to the spot and a penalty was awarded.
West Ham had received just one penalty in the league prior to this one. Captain Rice had taken the last… and converted. Yet this time Lingard stepped up to take the spot kick, which he had won.
Lingard’s penalty was unconvincing, as he aimed for the bottom left of the goal. Keeper Meslier got a strong hand to it and pushed it right into the direction of Jesse Lingard, who tapped the ball into the vacant net. The Hammers were 1-0 up.
West Ham continued in their hunt for goals. Just after the first, Michail Antonio broke forward for West Ham, before he was brought down by Cooper. Full back Aaron Cresswell whipped the ball in, only for it to be put out for a West ham corner.
Cresswell was to take this, too. He swung an inviting ball from the right-hand side all the way to the back post where centre half Craig Dawson powerfully headed the ball into the Leeds United net. 2-0.
The second half was all about preservation for West Ham, and redemption for Leeds. Patrick Bamford came dangerously closer to halving the deficit, when his left-footed attempt just missed the post. The best of the chances for Leeds came to substitute Rodrigo, who probably should have scored when the ball came to him just in front of the goal line. The game would go on to finish 2-0.
West Ham can now look at the UCL spots and feel that they can sneak in there.
MC 