Leeds United have shown they can step up when the pressure is on - though a stark reality lies ahead
Isaac Johnson Leeds United reporter
06:00, 25 Oct 2025
Isaac Johnson
Isaac is the Leeds United reporter for LeedsLive. An NCTJ-qualified journalist, Isaac has interviewed many football icons during his career, including World Cup winners and Premier League champions. He has also sat down with a number of Olympic greats, such as Adam Peaty MBE and Dame Laura Kenny.
Joe Rodon of Leeds United celebrates scoring his team's second goal
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Joe Rodon of Leeds United celebrates scoring his team's second goal
“If you can’t handle the heat, then don’t go into the kitchen,” said Daniel Farke on Thursday when asked about the constant scrutiny being a Leeds United manager brings.
Last night was a pressure game, no doubt. With a tough run of fixtures ahead, Leeds could not afford to go another game without a win. A lacklustre West Ham United provided a perfect chance to respond to the Burnley defeat, and they took the opportunity.
The 2-1 win leaves them above their guideline of a point-per-game average in their quest for survival, having not dipped below it all season. It also gives the squad and supporters hope that they can dig themselves out of a rut when the pressure is on.
The reality is that the next six games are tough with Brighton away, Nottingham Forest away and Aston Villa at home before an almighty run of Manchester City, Chelsea and Liverpool in the space of eight days. As for now, three wins out of nine games is good going for a newly-promoted side. The narrative changes from what it might have been.
Aaronson man of the match
Brenden Aaronson has had his critics but he was the man of the match last night. His goal seemed to spur him on, the confidence player that he is. The American was not without blip, being tentative with a pull-back shot that he ought to have put his foot through.
That was, though, his only blemish. Clever balls forward and hustling runs got fans clapping their hands and holding their heads after seeing his deflected shot flick off the top of the bar after a brilliant central drive.
No one can deny Aaronson is a trier and while the criticism aimed at him has been justified, there is also a sense that everyone is pleased he has got his first goal since March. His next task is to make this a consistent pattern. Friday’s game will do his confidence wonders.
Brenden Aaronson of Leeds United celebrates scoring against West Ham
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Brenden Aaronson of Leeds United celebrates scoring against West Ham(Image: Getty Images)
Playing with fire
Farke explained post match that he felt he had to sit back due to players feeling the effects of illness from this week, with others only coming back from injury. He was also aware of the threat of West Ham’s wingers in Jarrod Bowen and Crysencio Summerville.
Halfway through the second half, instead of bringing on an attacker for fresh legs going forward, he replaced Ao Tanaka with Ilia Gruev. Having already replaced the recently-returned Noah Okafor with Jack Harrison, a more defensive winger, it was clear what Farke was trying to do.
This is a pattern we have seen before - Leeds protecting what they’ve got and not going for the jugular, and at times this then costing them. Doing that with a two-goal lead is always playing with fire and West Ham’s late header set up a nervy final four minutes of added time.
That could have been avoided if Leeds had been more clinical and also not been so reserved in the second half. Farke’s reasons for this game can be counted as valid - but, unless against a Champions League side, this ought not to be a ploy he continues to use so early in a game when he finds his team with a two-goal lead.
Jarrod Bowen of West Ham United
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Jarrod Bowen of West Ham United(Image: Ryan Browne/Shutterstock)
Bijol debut
Fifteen million pound summer signing Jaka Bijol was finally handed his Premier League debut, coming in for Pascal Struijk at centre-back. The defender had spoken about his eagerness to make his league bow and this was his chance.
The best thing to say about his debut was that he did not look like he was playing his first Premier League game. The Slovenian was a bit rough around the edges at times, using his strength well but sometimes too heartily for the referee’s liking.
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That fine tuning will come in time and his heading and willingness to get into the tackle bodes well. Fans can expect him to start against Brighton & Hove Albion given Farke’s mantra that players who take their chance keep their place.