Leeds United relief as key rivals squander big opportunity in fresh Whites boost

Leeds United’s struggling rivals West Ham have blown a big opportunity in a fresh Whites boost.

Leeds looked set to move nine points clear of third-bottom West Ham when leading 1-0 heading into the closing stages of Saturday afternoon’s clash at Aston Villa only to be pegged back by Tammy Abraham’s equaliser for a 1-1 draw.

Nevertheless, the result still pushed Daniel Farke’s 15th-placed side a point further ahead of West Ham who lined up for Saturday evening’s hosting of Bournemouth seven points adrift of the Whites.

With a host of tough fixtures on the horizon, a victory looked of huge importance to the Irons but the Hammers had to settle for a point after a goalless draw which leaves them six points behind Farke’s 15th-placed Whites.

Former Leeds star Crysencio Summerville was again West Ham’s brightest spark in a dull first half, Bournemouth largely dominating possession but without creating any particularly great chances.

The Hammers, though, squandered a good opportunity in the opening exchanges as Chelsea loanee Axel Disasi hooked an effort from close range over the bar in a crowded box from a corner.

Having earlier prodded an effort straight at keeper Djordje Petrovic from close range, Summerville later attempted to take the bull by the horns by storming towards the edge of the box and sending a powerful shot just over the bar shortly before the interval.

The pattern of the uneventful game largely continued after the break, West Ham attempting to offer more of a threat but Mateus Fernandes flashing a firm shot wide just after the hour mark.

But the Irons were then saved by the frame of the goal a couple of minutes after a brilliant mazy run from Rayan ended with the Cherries attacker letting fly from the edge of the box with an effort that clipped the outside of the post.

The Hammers had a let off a few moments later when El Hadji Malick Diouf got away with a shirt pull in the box.

Back up the other end, Taty Castellanos fired a spectacular bicycle kick over the bar.

The game was becoming stretched, another shot from Rayan sent over the bar after a big block from Diouf.

By now, Hammers boss Nuno Espirito Santo had brought on a second striker in Callum Wilson whose first touch forced a smart save from Petrovic.

The two sides continued to exchange chances, Alex Scott forcing a good save from Mads Hermansen and Summerville seeing another effort deflected over.

Both teams went on the hunt for a winner, Bournemouth’s Eli Junior Kroupi seeing a firm drive saved and Summerville then seeing another effort blocked in the 88th minute.

The two sides were given six minutes of added time to make a breakthrough and the Irons went close to netting in the 94th minute as Summerville played in Jarrod Bowen who blazed his effort over the bar.