Leeds United secured a 2-1 victory over West Ham United at Elland Road on Friday, with Brenden Aaronson's early goal proving decisive. Joe Rodon added another goal in the first 15 minutes, setting the stage for a deserved win for the Whites. West Ham's Mateus Fernandes scored a late consolation goal, but it wasn't enough to change the outcome.
The match began with Leeds making four changes to their starting lineup. Aaronson wasted no time, firing home the opening goal in the early minutes, sending the home crowd into a frenzy. Shortly after, Rodon capitalized on a corner, heading Sean Longstaff's delivery into the net to double Leeds' advantage. West Ham's defense struggled, particularly with corners, a recurring issue for them this season.
West Ham tried to respond, but a goal from Lucas Paquetá was disallowed due to offside after a VAR review. Leeds continued to create opportunities, with Noah Okafor and Jayden Bogle testing West Ham's goalkeeper Alphonse Areola. Aaronson nearly extended the lead with a shot that hit the crossbar.
In the second half, Leeds maintained their intensity, with Jack Harrison, who replaced Okafor, also threatening. West Ham struggled to find a breakthrough, and their frustration was evident as they received multiple bookings. Late in the game, Mateus Fernandes scored a header from a Bowen cross, but it was too late to mount a comeback.
The victory was Leeds' third in the Premier League this season, moving them up to 13th place. For West Ham, the defeat extends their winless run to four matches, leaving them in the relegation zone.
Aaronson expressed his relief and pride after the match, stating, "It was a relief for me, to be honest with you... I am proud of my mentality and I am proud of the group". He also acknowledged the team's focus on maintaining their mentality in the late stages of the game, which proved crucial in securing the win.
Leeds United's manager, Daniel Farke, praised his team's aggressive start. The team displayed a "next-man-up mentality," with every player ready to contribute. The Elland Road crowd celebrated the victory with enthusiasm, as the team ended a 16-game winless run against London clubs. This marked their first Premier League victory against a London club since August 2022.
