Lucas Perri's full-time reaction will have gone down well with those in South Stand after Leeds United's Friday night victory over struggling West Ham in the Premier League
Isaac Johnson Leeds United reporter
11:40, 25 Oct 2025
Paraag Marathe, chairman of Leeds United
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Paraag Marathe, chairman of Leeds United(Image: Robbie Jay Barratt - AMA/Getty Images)
Leeds United ride into the weekend with instilled belief that they can indeed survive the drop after beating an admittedly poor West Ham side. The 2-1 win was deserved but the victory could have been much more comfortable.
A bit of lethality and a desire not to drop so deep so early may have given Leeds supporters an easier evening - but United ultimately still got the most important thing which is the three points. They now have three wins from their first nine games and sit on 11 points.
That is a very good start by a newly-promoted side and Leeds have shown that they do have the grit to keep themselves in the division.
A nice added bonus is that Friday’s win came against a former player in Crysencio Summerville - who was booed by many throughout the game for leaving the club after the 2024 Championship play-off final defeat. Here are some moments fans may have missed.
Key figures left happy
Coming into the stadium two-and-a-half hours before kick-off, chief business officer Morrie Eisenberg was already in the director’s box speaking to a fellow dignitary. Investors had flown over to stage what appears to have been a regular meeting ahead of the game, having been given a tour of the stadium and training ground facilities.
Whatever they thought of the off-the-pitch furniture, 49ers representatives would have been left pleased by what they saw on the pitch. Paraag Marathe was seen sporting a huge smile in the tunnel after full time, having had a full day. He will know, though, that there is an awfully long way to go still.
Solitary fan has to bite lip
When the teams were read out over the PA system ahead of kick-off, one supporter was heard booing Brenden Aaronson’s name. If there is ever a day to do that, yesterday was certainly not it.
The fans were in customarily good form throughout, and one comical moment saw a match-goer get a firm header on a huge clearance that landed a few rows in front of the press box. He got a round of applause and a few cheers.
Another nice moment saw home fans clap West Ham's 19-year-old Oliver Scarles as he made his way around the perimeter of the pitch, heavily injured following a Joe Rodon challenge. He was down for a long time and was seen walking off with an apparatus in his mouth, perhaps oxygen. The home support sent their condolences.
Other things spotted
Nuno Espírito Santo was seen throwing his arms in the air as Aaronson tucked the ball away inside three minutes. He was a downcast figure in the press conference after full-time, not hiding his concern for the Hammers squad.
Pre-match, Lukas Nmecha was seen doing push-ups after falling foul of an error in the substitute’s rondo. During the in-game stoppage when Scarles was down, Farke was seen in conversation with Sean Longstaff and Ao Tanaka, gesturing for them to keep on with their sharp play.
Jayden Bogle also received some instructions off the German. Farke was later seen giving a fan a thumbs up after he threw the ball back towards the touchline. Perhaps being 2-0 up helped.
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Lucas Perri screamed in delight to the South Stand at full time having seen his defenders weather the final throes of the West Ham hunt for an equaliser.