Joe Rodon might have got himself the winner and continued his superb start to the season, but Leeds United’s win over West Ham was all about Brenden Aaronson’s zero-to-hero display.
Only six days beforehand, Aaronson missed an absolute sitter against Burnley to equalise for Leeds. The American gets far more criticism than any other member of the squad and did so again, after Burnley.
But Aaronson managed to block that out against West Ham, netting a second-ever Premier League goal. He celebrated by pointing to his head, suggesting he’s blocked out all the criticism and remains focused.
Not only did Aaronson score, but it was easily his best performance in a Leeds shirt – certainly, in the Premier League. It saw Aaronson voted SBI Soccer’s American Abroad: Player of the Week this week.
Ben Foster left dumbfounded by Brenden Aaronson run
Aaronson continued to win duels and provide a defensive screen for Jayden Bogle on the right, while actually contributing to the attack. He connected with Dominic Calvert-Lewin and other Leeds players.
Then, just before the hour mark, he picked up the ball on the edge of his area and skillfully went past both Andy Irving Tomas Soucek. Driving past Lucas Paqueta, he eventually got a shot away at goal.
Brenden Aaronson celebrates with Jayden Bogle and Dominic Calvert-Lewin.
Photo by Stu Forster/Getty Images
Albeit via a deflection, his effort was inches away from nestling in the top corner. So nearly, a contender for goal of the season. Ben Foster was stunned by what he was watching from the £25m American.
“Did you see the run from Aaronson, by the way? Aaronson’s a great little player, great goal he scored. From the edge of his box, must have ran through five players, gets a shot off,” Foster said of Aaronson.
MORE LEEDS UNITED STORIES
“Deflected, but it hits the crossbar. For West Ham, somebody needs to eliminate that at source, take him down before it gets going. West Ham are missing nous,” Foster added, giving West Ham some advice.
Aaronson is becoming one of the first names on the team sheet
Not many will have seen Aaronson even being a fringe player, back in the summer. Aaronson had the chance to explore interest from Germany, but the versatile midfielder opted to remain at Elland Road.
A big call, given it is a home World Cup for him next summer and he remains on the fringes of Mauricio Pochettino’s squad. But it is paying off. Back in the squad and now, scoring goals in the Premier League.
Against Brighton, Aaronson is one of the first names on the team sheet, without a doubt. Leeds fans and Farke will be hoping that his performance against West Ham wasn’t a flash in the pan, and it continues.