Leeds United have moved four points clear of West Ham and six above the relegation zone with a deserved win over Manchester United.
It’s not the ideal result from a West Ham perspective, but in the context of the weekend as a whole, things could have been far worse.
Leeds strike early at Old Trafford
To be fair, Leeds should have been ahead inside two minutes, with Dominic Calvert-Lewin missing from close range.
They didn’t have to wait long, though. Just 90 seconds later, Noah Okafor opened the scoring following a weak clearing header from Leny Yoro. It was clear to see that the home team missed the leadership and defensive ability of Harry Maguire.
Leeds took control for the remainder of the first half with Michael Carrick seemingly unable to unravel the tactical puzzle posed by Daniel Farke.
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United second best throughout
Manchester United struggled to compete across the pitch, and it came as no surprise when Leeds doubled their lead after 30 minutes — Okafor again, this time reacting quickest after a scramble in the box.
In truth, it could have been more. Leeds had chances to put the game beyond doubt before half-time, while the home side looked like a team with little urgency.
Red card ends any real contest
The game was effectively finished just after the break when Lisandro Martínez was sent off for violent conduct. The Man U defender who had previously cleared off the line got his marching orders after pulling Calvert Lewin’s hair.
Even before that, United had offered little in response, and Leeds continued to look dangerous on the break.
Late response not enough
Bruno Fernandes did provide a moment of quality, setting up Casemiro to head home and make it 2-1 after 68 minutes.
United pushed late on, with Calvert-Lewin even heading off his own line, but it always felt too little, too late.
West Ham still in the fight
From a West Ham perspective, it’s been a mixed weekend.
The Hammers did their job with a 4-0 win over Wolves, Tottenham lost, Nottingham Forest drew — and while Leeds picked up three points, West Ham remain out of the bottom three.
All to play for
Leeds face Wolves next, before travelling to the London Stadium on the final day of the season.
There’s still plenty to be decided — and West Ham are very much in the fight even if tonight’s result didn’t go our way.