Leeds United roared back to winning ways by defeating West Ham United 2-1 at Elland Road and here’s how the players rated.
The pressure was on Leeds United to pick up a vital three points after losing to relegation rivals Burnley last week, and Daniel Farke’s side rose to that pressure in style.
It took just three minutes for Brenden Aaronson to open the scoring, with Leeds finally finding a cutting edge they have lacked this season.
Joe Rodon nodded in a corner to make it two shortly afterwards, and Leeds continued to carve through a hapless West Ham at will, though they couldn’t increase their lead before the break.
West Ham did have a goal disallowed in the opening half and were much more threatening in the second, eventually pulling one back through Matues Fernandes, but Leeds held on.
Here’s how the players rated.
Leeds players celebrate with Joe Rodon after scoring vs West Ham.
Photo by OLI SCARFF/AFP via Getty Images
Lucas Perri – 7
Lucas Perri was back in the starting XI after Karl Darlow’s struggles against Burnley and justified his spot between the sticks. The Brazilian didn’t have much to do but made a strong double stop when Leeds had a one-goal lead. He was quick off his line and organised.
Not much he could do about Lucas Paqueta’s disallowed goal from close range or Fernandes’ strike.
Jayden Bogle – 8
Jayden Bogle endured a difficult afternoon at Turf Moor last week, but this was more like him on Friday night, racing down the right flank to give West Ham’s defence problem after problem. It was his early cross that led to the opening goal.
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Joe Rodon – 8
Who’d have thought Joe Rodon would be Leeds’ joint top scorer after nine games? The centre-back couldn’t believe his luck when he found himself unmarked in the box and would have far more goals in his career if he were up against this West Ham defence every week.
Still, it was a well-taken header and the defender enjoyed a resolute night at the back, celebrating every block and tackle almost as much as his goal.
Jaka Bijol – 6
Not the Premier League debut Jaka Bijol would have hoped for.
Despite having nothing to do for the most part, there were several nervy moments from the centre-back, like misplaced passes and getting the wrong side of attackers. He was nowhere near Fernandes as he scored.
There have been big calls for Bijol to play but Pascal Struijk might have earned his place right back. Hopefully, it was just down to rustiness after little football this season.
Gabriel Gudmundsson – 7
It looked like a fantastic performance was going to be in store from Gabriel Gudmundsson, who was finding lots of joy down the left. It was his hard work that won the corner Rodon scored from.
Sadly, he was forced off before the break with an injury. The last thing Leeds need.
Sean Longstaff – 8
Continues to be Leeds’ most influential midfielder, making a massive impact in defending and attacking. It was Sean Longstaff’s wicked corner that teed up Rodon to nod home.
Ethan Ampadu – 8
Thrived against a weak midfield that hardly pressed and was able to dominate with his physicality. Was able to push forward much more than usual, but the less said about his shooting, the better.
Ao Tanaka – 7
Back in the starting XI for the first time in weeks, in place of the underwhelming Anton Stach, and looked sharp in the middle. Ao Tanaka just felt a lot more proactive and involved in the build-up play than his German teammate, and played some lovely quick passes to help Leeds’ left flank cut through West Ham repeatedly.
Brenden Aaronson – 8
Leeds couldn’t have hoped for a better reaction from Aaronson after his sitter against Burnley, with the winger reacting quickest to prod a rebound home in the opening stages. His first goal since March.
There were calls for Aaronson to be dropped after Burnley but he kept his place and repaid the faith shown in him by Farke with a typically energetic but, for once, effective performance.
You’d have been forgiven for thinking someone else was wearing Aaronson’s shirt at points, with how the winger was actually playing like a winger and running directly at defenders and being exciting in attack. Easily his best Premier League performance, let’s have more of that!
Dominic Calvert-Lewin – 5
Given West Ham’s hopeless defending, you’d have hoped to have seen Dominic Calvert-Lewin have more of a presence in attack and assert himself. Yet, he felt like a passenger at times, even if his movement helped his fellow attackers. If he can’t score or even come close to doing so against this defence, who can he score against?
Noah Okafor – 7
It took Noah Okafor less than three minutes to make an impact, with his saved header leading to the opening goal.
It was immediately clear how much better Okafor makes the side after missing out last week, with the winger such a creative spark and willing runner at defenders.
Which is what made it so gutting to see him go off at half-time. Hopefully, it’s not a relapse of his injury.
Substitutes
James Justin – 6
James Justin came on to replace Gudmundsson for his biggest chunk of game time since moving to Leeds. Didn’t have as much presence as the Swede, especially in going forward, but tidy on the ball.
Decent at the back but didn’t get close to Bowen as he set up West Ham’s goal and was booked for a very late challenge.
Jack Harrison – 6
Got into some good positions and had some efforts on goal, but all were tame.
Ilia Gruev – 5
An unexpected substitute ahead of Stach, and booked within minutes for a cynical foul. Poor for the Irons’ goal.
Dan James & Lukas Nmecha – N/A
Both came on in the closing minutes.