West Ham United 2-1 Leeds United
West Ham United pressed forward with their unlikely push for a Champions League spot next season as they beat Leeds United, 2-0, at the London Stadium last night.
The Hammers under David Moyes continue to exceed our expectations with yet another win as his side climbed to the fifth spot in the Premier League table.
Jesse Lingard and Craig Dawson conspired to score the two marginal goals in what was a meaningful back-and-forth between these two squads.
However, the main difference between these two teams was their finishing as the Hammers were the more clinical side while the Whites were left to rue on their missed opportunities.
“Disappointed is not the word. I know it is a problem that exists. I am the one in charge of finding a solution,” lamented Marcelo Bielsa postgame.
The win pushed West Ham United only two points adrift behind fourth-seeded Chelsea, who recently won 2-0 against Everton. And their Premier League 2021 odds of securing a Champions League spot look a bit better for now since they still have a game in hand.
On the other hand, Leeds United remain firm at the 11th spot at the standings despite the loss.
Without further ado, here at SBOTOP, we look at last night’s set of Premier League 2021 highlights.
Highlights of the game
Both sides came out guns ablaze as attacking opportunities were created from the get-go.
Leeds United were the first team to find the back of the net when Helder Costa drove into the box and teed up Tyler Roberts for a finish, but the referees ruled the goal out for a marginal offside.
West Ham United would strike back during the 21st minute. Jesse Lingard continued to prove that he is a gem for the Hammers as his menacing run in the penalty area drew a crucial foul from Luke Ayling.
The pacey winger saw his initial penalty-kick parried away by Illan Meslier, but the ball went right back at Lingard and he made sure that he finished well on the rebound.
West Ham United would eventually double their lead in the 28th minute when Aaron Cresswell’s corner kick found a cutting Craig Dawson to nod the ball in for his fourth goal of the season.
The Hammers would try the same play later as Cresswell tried a left corner cross. However, Dawson’s header hit the post and Leeds United got away with another poor defensive sequence.
Marcelo Bielsa’s men almost plundered in a goal when Diego Llorente’s awesome through-ball found Patrick Bamford inside the box, but the striker’s curling shot went inches too wide on the left side.
Five minutes after the halftime break, Leeds United almost scored again when Stuart Dallas headed the ball into the penalty area after a failed clearance from West Ham United. However, Raphinha’s ambitious bicycle kick was tipped over by Lukasz Fabianski.
The Hammers tried to triple their lead late when Pablo Fornals tried a long-range screamer, but his attempt hit the crossbar.
The Whites chased a late lifeline when Luke Ayling volleyed the ball near the middle of the goal. However, Patrick Bamford’s short kick was cleared by Craig Dawson and the Hammers held firm to earn their three points.
Key statistics
Last night’s victory marked the first time that West Ham United achieved a double over Leeds United since 1954 and their first in top-flight since 1930. It also became the first time that David Moyes had a three-game winning streak at home since doing so with Everton in the 2013 season.
No side has faced more penalty kicks in the English top-flight than Leeds United this season.
The Whites now have lost 13 of their last 14 games in London in all competitions, losing all five in the capital so far this term.
Jesse Lingard has already scored his fourth goal for the Hammers, while no Premier League defender has scored more goals than Craig Dawson this term (4).
Aaron Cresswell has already reached seven assists this term, which is his joint-best return in a Premier League campaign (7 in 2017/18).
What’s next?
West Ham United will travel to Old Trafford to face a very confident Manchester United, who recently ended Manchester City’s rampant run in the last time out, on Sunday night.
Meanwhile, Leeds United have a gargantuan task of trying to snap Chelsea’s unbeaten run under Thomas Tuchel when they host them at Elland Road this upcoming Saturday.
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