West Ham United v Leeds United Live Commentary & Result, 21/05/2023, Premier League

Pos	Team	P	W	D	L	F	A	+/-	PTS	Form
1	MCI Manchester City	38	28	5	5	94	33	+61	89	L D W W W
2	ARS Arsenal	38	26	6	6	88	43	+45	84	W L L W W
3	MUN Manchester United	38	23	6	9	58	43	+15	75	W W W W L
4	NEW Newcastle United	38	19	14	5	68	33	+35	71	D D W D L
5	LIV Liverpool	38	19	10	9	75	47	+28	67	D D W W W
6	BHA Brighton & Hove Albion	38	18	8	12	72	53	+19	62	L D W L W
7	AVL Aston Villa	38	18	7	13	51	46	+5	61	W D W L L
8	TOT Tottenham Hotspur	38	18	6	14	70	63	+7	60	W L L W L
9	BRE Brentford	38	15	14	9	58	46	+12	59	W W W L W
10	FUL Fulham	38	15	7	16	55	53	+2	52	L D W W L
11	CRY Crystal Palace	38	11	12	15	40	49	-9	45	D D W L W
12	CHE Chelsea	38	11	11	16	38	47	-9	44	D L L D W
13	WOL Wolverhampton Wanderers	38	11	8	19	31	58	-27	41	L D L W L
14	WHU West Ham United	38	11	7	20	42	55	-13	40	L W L W L
15	BOU AFC Bournemouth	38	11	6	21	37	71	-34	39	L L L L W
16	NFO Nottingham Forest	38	9	11	18	38	68	-30	38	D W D W L
17	EVE Everton	38	8	12	18	34	57	-23	36	W D L W D
18	LEI Leicester City	38	9	7	22	51	68	-17	34	W D L L D
19	LEE Leeds United	38	7	10	21	48	78	-30	31	L L D L L
20	SOU Southampton	38	6	7	25	36	73	-37	25	D L L L L

That's all from us, we hope you enjoyed the game. Until the next one, goodbye!

West Ham climb above Bournemouth into 14th place on the Premier League ladder with one game remaining, and if other results go their way, could finish as high as 12th in the final standings. Favourable results are exactly what Leeds will be praying for now, with the Whites still in the bottom three after defeat in this game. Leicester winning their game in hand against Newcastle could all-but relegate the Whites, who simply have to beat Tottenham on the final day to stand any chance whatsoever of still being a top-flight club in 2023-24.

Paqueta was a thorn in Leeds' side for the entirety of this match, constantly finding openings between their midfield and defence. The impressive Brazilian had four shots in total, as well as creating three big chances, including the assist for West Ham's third goal. Those chances came as part of a game-high 18 passes into the final third, with Paqueta also engaging in 27 total duels, completing six of his 10 dribbles, and winning all four of his attempted tackles. Sensational.

It's all over in east London, and it looks all but over for Leeds United as a Premier League club. The Whites didn't come close to restoring their early first-half lead, in a second period dominated by West Ham from start to finish. Paqueta, Ings and Soucek all went close for the Hammers, before their patience finally told and Bowen slotted in a decisive finish to give the hosts a lead which they were in no mood to squander. Leeds were hardly able to create anything in reply, and Paqueta waltzed through their flailing defence tee up Lanzini, who added a late third to seal the victory. From here, attention turns to season's end, with West Ham providing the perfect build-up to their European final, and Leeds in need of a miracle to avoid returning to the EFL.

90' + 9' FULL-TIME: WEST HAM 3-1 LEEDS UNITED.

90' + 8' CHANCE!!! West Ham very nearly have a fourth as Mubama finds Paqueta in acres of open space, and he bears down on goal with no-one near him. Lanzini eventually arrives in support, but the pass from Paqueta is far too delayed for him to make anything of, and the chance of another late blow goes begging!

90' + 6' Leeds have now conceded 15 goals in the last 15 minutes of their second halves this season, with only Nottingham Forest (17) and Bournemouth (16) doing so more often in the Premier League.

Lucas Paquetá

Assist

90' + 4' Paqueta got past the challenges of several Leeds defenders all too easily there, and was able to create the scoring chance for Lanzini from a corner which West Ham didn't even look like they wanted to score from!

M. Lanzini

Goal

90' + 4' GOOOOAAALLL!!! West Ham seal the victory, and perhaps the Premier League fate of Leeds United too! A late corner doesn't appear to be taken seriously by either side, as it's played short by the Hammers. Paqueta simply dribbles through several half-challenges from Leeds defenders, bypassing Kristensen and cutting the ball back to Lanzini, who fires it home to make it 3-1! Leeds look spent, and this game almost sums up the torrid season they've experienced in West Yorkshire.

D. Mubama

D. Ings

90' + 4' Ings also comes off, and youngster Divin Mubama is on for the final few minutes in only his third league appearance for West Ham.

B. Johnson

Pablo Fornals

90' + 3' More late changes coming for West Ham, as Fornals comes off for Ben Johnson to add defensive reinforcements for the Hammers.

90' + 2' Greenwood fires a cross into the six-yard box, but Ogbonna is there at the front post to head it behind for a late Leeds corner.

90' We'll play seven additional minutes at the London Stadium, and will that be enough time for Leeds to find a late lifeline and turn this game around?

89' CHANCE!!! West Ham go so close to killing the game off! Paqueta skips past Kristensen before putting Ings in the clear behind Leeds' defence, but the striker takes a heavy touch and allows Koch to race back and block his eventual shot, with Robles diving on the loose ball!

R. Koch

Yellow Card

88' Koch is all over Coufal as he tries to get to Robles' long ball forward, and the Leeds defender is shown a yellow card late on for the foul.

87' Greenwood looks to release Gnonto with a cross-field pass behind the defence, but Fabianski is out to claim the ball before the Italian can make any in-roads.

85' BLOCKED!! Greenwood's clipped throughball is latched onto by Summerville racing in behind, but he takes too long to shoot and Emerson makes the block. Aaroson follows in, but his right-footed volley skews well wide as the home fans jeer!

S. Greenwood

P. Struijk

84' Struijk also comes off for the Peacocks, with Sam Greenwood entering the fray as another attacking option.

Marc Roca

W. McKennie

84' McKennie has been one of Leeds' best performers in this game, but comes off late for Marc Roca to slot into the base of their midfield.

M. Lanzini

J. Bowen

84' Bowen comes off having scored the goal which looks set to win this game, and the West Ham winger is replaced by Manuel Lanzini for the final few minutes.

Rodrigo

Yellow Card

82' Emerson cuts inside looking for options, but is clattered to the ground by Rodrigo. He's shown a yellow card, as Leeds' hopes of victory and survival continue to wither away.

C. Summerville

Yellow Card

80' Summerville and Ogbonna collide in mid-air when contesting a high ball, and the West Ham defender falls very awkwardly, with Summerville being shown a yellow card for his part in the challenge.

78' Bowen's potential winner for West Ham means he's both scored and assisted in a single Premier League game for the first time since February 2022 against Leicester.

76' OVER!!! Aaronson keeps the ball alive in the box and finds Summerville to his right, but he miscues his finish and the ball is deflected away! It falls to McKennie, who tees up Koch alongside him, however the defender's first-time strike is always rising as it curls over the bar!

75' BLOCKED!!! Bowen bursts into acres of open pasture once again and squares for Rice in the box. He in turn passes to Fornals, whose first-time effort is deflected over the crossbar by a sliding Ayling!

73' There's a big question over whether Bowen was offside when running through, but Wober's right foot is just keeping the winger onside and the goal will stand!

D. Ings

Assist

72' Ings drew in defenders aplenty there, before releasing Bowen into the space vacated by Leeds' increasingly porous defence.

J. Bowen

Goal

72' GOOOOOAAALLL!!! West Ham take the lead!!! Ings cuts inside and slips Bowen behind the defence with a reverse pass. Bowen glides through untouched and stabs the ball low, beating an onrushing Robles as it rolls into the bottom corner!! 2-1 to West Ham, and Leeds are now staring relegation in the face - they simply have to win here if they're to control their final day destiny.

70' Kristensen slides across to block an early shot from Ings, then recovers to cut out Emerson's cross back into the box before clearing down the field.

69' Soucek has been down for several minutes now receiving treatment, and having had his nose firmly patched up, returns as we get back underway.

67' Robles has already made five saves in only his third Premier League appearance for Leeds, his highest total in a single top-flight match including his spells at Wigan and Everton in the 2010's.

Lucas Paquetá

Yellow Card

65' Ing's shot from just inside the box is blocked and Summerville looks to spark a counter-attack. He's pulled back by Paqueta though, and the West Ham midfielder is shown a yellow card.

65' Fabianski catches McKennie's long throw and sends Bowen racing clear on the counter for the Hammers. Only Summerville is back for Leeds, but Bowen delays his pass for too long and Aaronson is able to get back in cover for Leeds, blocking the eventual ball behind for a corner.

63' Summerville is straight into the action and looks to find Rodrigo in the box, but his throughball is overhit and rolls behind for a goal kick.

B. Aaronson

A. Forshaw

62' Forshaw also comes off, with Brenden Aaronson brought on to provide another attacking option in midfield for Leeds.

C. Summerville

J. Harrison

62' Leeds make their first tactical changes of the half, with Crysencio Summerville replacing Harrison out wide for the visitors.

61' SAVED!!! West Ham win their sixth corner of the match and Bowen finds Soucek in the centre. His downward header looks destined for the top corner, but it's pushed over the bar by Robles at full stretch!

59' Bowen darts down the byline and smashes a low shot from a tight angle. Robles parries and Ayling prevents the ball going behind for a corner, heading it back into his goalkeeper's gloves.

59' BLOCKED!! Emerson's early cross takes a deflection and falls for Ings, who turns and drills a low shot which is blocked and cleared by Wober!

58' Harrison brings Wober's cross-field ball down brilliantly and fizzes a cross to the far post, but Gnonto and McKennie both go for the ball at the same time, with the latter sending his header behind as another Leeds chance goes astray!

56' West Ham are keeping possession with ease here as Emerson drifts in-field and looks to pick a pass forward, but he's clipped from behind by Rodrigo and wins a free-kick for the hosts.

54' Sam Allardyce is winless in his last eight Premier League games against former employers West Ham, having won five in a row before that. He's lost five straight against the Hammers with four different clubs, while also losing his last eight against West Ham manager David Moyes.

52' Rodrigo is released by Harrison and bears down on goal, but the offside flag is correctly raised as the striker's effort is parried by an onrushing Fabianski!

51' SAVED!!! The West Ham free-kick is headed away by McKennie, but drops for Fornals to tee up Paqueta on the edge of the area. The Brazilian hits it first-time from 25 yards, with his curling effort parried away from goal by Robles!

50' A high ball is brought down by Gnonto with Harrison racing into open space to his right, but the Italian is judged to have leant into Coufal as he jumped and concedes a free-kick.

48' Leeds have now both scored and conceded in each of their last 12 league matches, the longest such run in their history. In Premier League history, only Everton (16 in January 2013), Aston Villa (15 in March 2008), and Liverpool (13 in August 1997) have ever had longer spells than the Whites' current one.

46' Paqueta kicks the second half off for West Ham, and we're back underway in this increasingly important match in Stratford.

T. Kehrer

K. Zouma

46' A slight knock for Zouma means he won't be back for the second half, and Thilo Kehrer is on to slot into central defence for West Ham.

The teams return for the second half, and it's now or never for Leeds if they're to be in charge of their own destiny come the final match of the season.

Rice has been at his industrious best for West Ham so far, netting the equaliser and popping up all over the field to help out his team-mates. His only shot on target from three attempts found the back of the net, while he's also managed eight final third entries, as well as more touches, attempted and accurate passes than anyone else on the pitch. He's completed 16 passes in the final third, as well as winning three of his four duels, two of two dribbles, and has won possession a team-high five times in what may be his last home appearance for the Hammers.

All square at the break, as both sides throw everything forward in an effort to win this game! Leeds started very brightly and netted a deserved opener via Rodrigo's powerful volley in the box, but since scoring have almost invited West Ham onto them. The Hammers were awoken by the Leeds striker's finish and responded by creating several chances of their own, with Rice and Soucek both having chances before the former finished off a fluid move to score the equaliser. Fornals and Emerson have since tested Leeds goalkeeper Robles, and the Whites need to produce a big second-half response if they're to get themselves out of the bottom three before the final day.

45' + 4' HALF-TIME: WEST HAM 1-1 LEEDS UNITED.

45' + 4' A Soucek cross into the Leeds box is headed away by Kristensen, but the ball falls to Paqueta who thumps a first-time volley just over the bar!

45' + 3' WIDE!!! Rodrigo picks Zouma's pocket and races into the back-field behind West Ham's defence. He cuts inside to tee up Gnonto, but the youngster miscues his finish! Harrison picks up the pieces and shoots from 20 yards, but drags his effort well wide and the chance is wasted!

45' + 2' Harrison links up with Gnonto on the edge of the area, who turns away from his marker to find Struijk. His cross hits Coufal and bounces behind for a corner, giving Leeds a late attacking chance to close out the first half.

45' + 1' We're into four additional minutes at the end of the first half, with both of these sides looking capable of taking the lead here.

45' McKennie's run through the middle gives Leeds space to attack, and Rodrigo crosses from the right. His ball to Gnonto is headed clear by Zouma, but Struijk returns serve into the box and Koch glances an effort wide.

44' Ayling fires a cross towards Gnonto at the far post, but Coufal makes first contact and sends a header back into the gloves of Fabianski, who has to dive to keep the ball in play and prevent conceding a corner!

42' Leeds have now conceded 151 league goals since the start of last season (79 in 2021-22, 72 this season), more than any other side in the Europe's top five leagues. It's the most league goals they've shipped across two consecutive top-flight seasons since the 166 between 1958-59 (74) and 1959-60 (92), being relegated from the top-flight in the latter.

40' SAVED!! The Hammers pile forward in numbers on the counter as Fornals darts down the left side. His reverse pass to Emerson in the box sees the full-back shoot from a tight angle, but Robles parries well to put the ball behind for another West Ham corner!

39' Leeds have lost all six of their Premier League games in London this season. Defeat here would see 2022-23 be the ninth consecutive campaign in which at least one club has failed to pick up a single Premier League point in London, and the Whites will be hoping they can be the side to break that unwanted record.

37' Gnonto has started as Leeds' right winger, but can't get close to Rice as the Hammers captain makes his way forward with a fantastic turn and run in his own half.

35' WIDE!!! West Ham break at speed from a Leeds throw as Paqueta canters through the middle. He slips Fornals in behind the Leeds defence, but the Spaniard can only drill wide from the edge of the box!

W. Gnonto

P. Bamford

34' Bamford picked up a knock in the move prior to West Ham's equaliser, and can't continue. Wilfried Gnonto will be his replacement for Leeds, likely pushing Rodrigo into a central position and Harrison to the right wing.

J. Bowen

Assist

32' Bowen's movement there was far too much for Leeds to handle, and his hanging cross for Rice was superbly turned home by the West Ham captain.

D. Rice

Goal

32' GOOOOAAALLL!!! The captain equalises for the Hammers!! Bowen drives forward and plays a smart one-two with Fornals in the box. He volleys the return ball towards the back post, where Rice arrives late to squeeze a volley off the ground and into the roof of the net!! 1-1 at the London Stadium, and Leeds have it all to do again if they're to climb out of the bottom three!

32' Rice has now scored five goals for West Ham in all competitions this season, equalling last season's tally as his joint-best return for the Hammers.

30' Leeds' record when scoring first in games this season isn't exactly what you'd call sturdy, with five wins, five draws and four defeats recorded from being 1-0 up in 2022-23.

28' CHANCE!! Bowen's latest cross is headed back into the six-yard box and drops for Soucek. He swings for the ball but mis-kicks it, and with defenders falling over each other to block it, Kristensen and Robles collide, but the goalkeeper has hold of the ball as he goes down with it!

27' West Ham win successive corners and Bowen's third delivery sparks a scramble in the box. The ball comes out to Rice who goes for goal, but a deflection takes it behind for another Hammers corner!

26' Rodrigo has now scored in each of his last six Premier League appearances against sides with a name beginning with 'W' - three vs Wolves, two vs West Ham, and one vs Watford; and if the score stays as it is, Leeds will pick up a massive 'W' in their fight to stay up.

24' Rice drops a shoulder and tries his luck from some 30 yards, but his ambitious effort is a poor one and sails well over the bar!

22' Leeds come forward once again and find Ayling on the overlap, but his cross from the byline is again too close to the goalkeeper, and Fabianski catches the ball at his near post.

21' West Ham eye an opportunity from a long throw of their own, as Coufal fires the ball into the box. Zouma's flick almost falls for an unmarked Ings, but the ball runs through for Robles to clean up!

20' Coufal's teasing cross is put behind by Kristensen for the first corner of the game, but Bowen's delivery is punched away from the goalmouth by Robles before Wober clears.

19' That's Rodrigo's 13th league goal of the season for Leeds, and the fifth time he's opened the scoring in matches involving the Whites.

W. McKennie

Assist

17' McKennie's long throws have been dealt with reasonably well by West Ham so far, but Rodrigo's instinctive finish caught the Hammers napping there!

Rodrigo

Goal

17' GOOOOOOAAAALLLL!!!! Leeds take the lead with a belter!! Another long throw is launched into the area by McKennie, with the West Ham box crowded. No-one's picked up Rodrigo lurking on the edge though, and the striker makes a late run to smash a volley into the top corner! A precious, precious goal in Leeds' fight for survival, and their top scorer comes to the fore once again!

15' McKennie glides through midfield for Leeds and links up with Harrison to his left, but the winger's first-time cross is headed clear by Emerson before Bamford or Rodrigo can connect.

13' West Ham have won three of their five Premier League games against Leeds since the Whites’ promotion back to the top-flight in 2020, having won just two of their 20 against them in the competition between 1993-94 and 2002-03.

11' Forshaw switches play to the right, and Ayling volleys a cross straight back into the centre. Rodrigo is the target, but Ayling's ball is too close to Fabianski and the goalkeeper collects.

10' Bowen skips past Forshaw and whips in a cross from the byline, but Ings mistimes his finish and the ball skews away!

9' Coufal drives down the right flank and passes inside to Paqueta, but Koch gets across in cover to block his shot from the edge of the box!

8' SAVED!!! Ayling's hanging cross from the right is met by Harrison on the volley, and his low right-footed drive is drilled into the gloves of a diving Fabianski!

6' Leeds won this exact fixture 3-2 last season with a Jack Harrison hat-trick, and last won consecutive top-flight matches away at West Ham back in January 1997.

4' CHANCE!! Koch's ball forward finds Bamford in the box once again, and he squares for Rodrigo at the back post. Rice swipes at the ball and misses, but Rodrigo's first touch is poor and the chance goes begging!

2' Bamford chases a long ball forward and bursts past Zouma. Ogbonna closes the gap as the Leeds striker enters the box, but a heavy touch from Bamford sends the ball behind for a goal kick.

1' Bamford kicks the game off for Leeds, and we're up and running in east London!

The teams head out onto the London Stadium pitch, and a crucial game at the bottom of the table is just moments away from kick-off!

Sam Allardyce keeps faith in Patrick Bamford to lead the line for the Peacocks, despite the striker missing a crucial penalty against Newcastle that would’ve put Leeds 2-0 up at Elland Road. Junior Firpo was shown a red card late in that match and is replaced by Pascal Struijk, while Adam Forshaw starts in place of Sam Greenwood.

David Moyes has made six changes to the Hammers side that defeated AZ Alkmaar to reach the Europa Conference League final, with Danny Ings spearheading the attack in place of Michail Antonio. Lukasz Fabianski also returns between the sticks, but captain Declan Rice, who could well be leading the side out for the last time at the London Stadium, retains his place in midfield alongside Tomas Soucek.

LEEDS UNITED SUBS: Illan Meslier, Liam Cooper, Brenden Aaronson, Marc Roca, Crysencio Summerville, Georginio Rutter, Wilfried Gnonto, Sam Greenwood, Jeremiah Chilokoa-Mullen.

LEEDS UNITED (4-3-3): Joel Robles; Luke Ayling, Rasmus Kristensen, Robin Koch, Maximilian Wober; Weston McKennie, Pascal Struijk, Adam Forshaw; Rodrigo Moreno, Patrick Bamford, Jack Harrison.

WEST HAM SUBS: Alphonse Areola, Ben Johnson, Aaron Cresswell, Michail Antonio, Manuel Lanzini, Maxwel Cornet, Said Benrahma, Thilo Kehrer, Divin Mubama.

WEST HAM (4-2-3-1): Lukasz Fabianski; Vladimir Coufal, Kurt Zouma, Angelo Ogbonna, Emerson; Tomas Soucek, Declan Rice; Jarrod Bowen, Lucas Paqueta, Pablo Fornals; Danny Ings.

Leeds are firmly in do-or-die territory coming into their final two games, and can only escape the bottom three by claiming three points in the capital. Sam Allardyce’s first two games in charge have resulted in a respectable 2-1 loss and 2-2 draw with Manchester City and Newcastle respectively, but defeat here will leave them below the drop line going into the final weekend of fixtures.

With their Premier League safety confirmed despite a 2-0 loss to Brentford last time out, West Ham are gearing up for a first European final since 1976 having reached the Europa Conference League's finale in midweek. With two league games left, the Hammers currently sit 15th, but could leapfrog Bournemouth a place above them with victory here.

Hello, and welcome to live coverage of this fixture in the Premier League, as West Ham United and Leeds United do battle at the London Stadium.

West Ham United v Leeds United Live Commentary, 21/05/2023

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