Leeds United heaped more misery on West Ham with a convincing - albeit slightly nervy late on - 2-1 victory at Elland Road on Friday night. Early goals from Brenden Aaronson and Joe Rodon proved enough to put a vital three points on the board for Daniel Farke’s side.
Leeds got off to a flying start when Aaronson opened the scoring inside three minutes, finishing from close range after Noah Okafor’s header was saved by goalkeeper Alphonse Areola. Thigs got even better for the Whites on 15 minutes, with the unmarked Rodon heading home Sean Longstaff’s corner to make it 2-0.
West Ham thought they’d pulled a goal back jut beyond the half-hour mark when Lucas Paqueta fired in off the crossbar, but for a delayed offside call to eventually be confirmed by VAR which sent Leeds in 2-0 up at the break. Mateus Fernandes did find the Whites net with a late header but it proved little more than a consolation as all three points remained at Elland Road.
YEP chief football writer Graham Smyth was at Elland Road and here are his Leeds United player ratings...
7. CM: Ao Tanaka
6 - A mixed bag from the midfielder. Some nice, tidy moments and a few situations where he couldn't keep or win the ball. Outmuscled a couple of times. | AFP via Getty Images
8. CM: Sean Longstaff
7 - Slightly understated performance but an important one. Got about the pitch, tackled and harried. Good corner for Rodon's goal. Ignored a great shooting chance first half. | Getty Images
9. RW: Brenden Aaronson
9 - In the right place to score a big goal, hit the crossbar after an incredible run, dribbled well, a couple of good crosses, a tonne of hard work. | Getty Images
10. LW: Noah Okafor
7 - An unsuccessful Hollywood pass annoyed his manager but he was dangerous at times. Came close to a goal. Not always involved. | Getty Images
11. ST: Dominic Calvert-Lewin
8 - A horrible man to play against. Gave the centre-backs a torrid time of it. Never stopped working and battling. | AFP via Getty Images
12. Sub: James Justin
8 - A very decent performance replacing Gudmundsson. Some solid defending, some clever play on the ball. Defended on the front foot. | AFP via Getty Images