West Ham climbed up to fifth in the league, after coming back from an early Leeds goal, courtesy of a retaken penalty, to win against the Yorkshire side. The Hammers created a multitude of chances and could have won the game much more convincingly in the end.
Leeds started the game positively. Patrick Bamford was bought down by Lukasz Fabianski in the second minute winning Leeds a penalty.
Mateusz Klich’s tame effort was easily saved, but VAR stepped in and ordered a retake after Fabianski was ruled to have come off his line. Klich didn’t make the same mistake twice, converting the retaken penalty to give Leeds a 1-0 lead.
Positive Response
West Ham responded positively to going behind and really took the game to Leeds in what was a hugely entertaining first half. Leeds’ defensive frailties with set pieces were clear to see, as Jarrod Bowen’s corner was met by the head of Tomas Soucek on 25 minutes to equalise for West Ham.
Leeds goalkeeper, Illan Meslier, could have dealt with the header better however, the French stopper was on top form, keeping Leeds in the game on a number of occasions, and was arguably the reason they weren’t on the end of a heavier defeat.
Hammers frontman Sebastian Haller had a frustrating day at the office. Getting into dangerous positions, his efforts lacked venom and precision, he was out muscled by Leeds defenders on a number of occasions, and was poor in possession.
Chances For Leeds
Leeds had their fair share of chances in the game, Bamford had some openings; summer signing, Rodrigo, could have put Leeds ahead on a couple of occasions. However, it just wasn’t the Yorkshire side’s day in front of goal.
In the second half, it was the east London side who enjoyed the majority of the opportunities. Apart from their second goal, some other significant chances for the Hammers came via a thunderous header from Fabian Balbuena, which was met by a strong hand from Meslier.
Pushing On
Pablo Fornals was also very unlucky not to make it two, his effort trickling a few inches past the post.
In the 80th minute, Aaron Cresswell delivered a lovely free kick into the area which was headed home by Angelo Ogbonna. He peeled away from the Leeds defence, rising highest to meet the cross and give West Ham a much-deserved lead.
West Ham continue to show great promise under David Moyes this season, the volume of chances created by the Hammers show they continue to move in the right direction.
