West Ham dealt a severe blow to Leeds’ survival bid as they produced one of the comeback football scores of the weekend in the Premier League. After Jarrod Bowen’s second-half goal, Allardyce must defeat Tottenham in his final game, but after this devastating loss, their future is no longer in their own hands. After a strong opening period, the visitors earned a lead when Rodrigo volleyed in a long throw from Weston McKennie after 17 minutes. Six years to the day after making his debut, West Ham’s captain and newly-crowned Hammer of the Year Declan Rice equalized in the 32nd minute. The ‘good likelihood’ that Rice may depart West Ham this summer was acknowledged by David Moyes earlier this month. According to rumors, he may be permitted to leave the club if a Champions League team makes a bid of at least £100 million.
If this turns out to be Rice’s final home game as a Hammer, he made sure he left on a high note by assisting Bowen’s well-taken match-winning goal (72), which was upheld after a painful VAR check. After some excellent footwork from Lucas Paqueta to further their opponent’s anguish, Manuel Lanzini still had time to pass in a third in the last moments. The outcome keeps Leeds in 18th position, two points behind Everton, who will play Bournemouth in their last game and know that a win will guarantee their survival. West Ham, however, is gaining momentum leading up to the Europa Conference League final thanks to their third straight home victory in all competitions, which has moved them up to position 14.
In order to escape the relegation zone and maintain their top-flight position, Leeds was eager for all three points. They had a home game against Tottenham on a penultimate day and travelled to the London Stadium on Sunday. They were third from the bottom and two points from safety. Since Everton lost to Wolves on Saturday, West Ham’s place in the Premier League for the next season was mathematically assured. After defeating AZ Alkmaar on Thursday, David Moyes’ team advanced to the Europa Conference League final. Allardyce had hoped Leeds would benefit from the success of his previous club.
Since Everton lost to Wolves on Saturday, West Ham’s place in the Premier League for the next season was mathematically assured. After defeating AZ Alkmaar on Thursday, David Moyes’ team advanced to the Europa Conference League final. Allardyce had hoped Leeds would benefit from the success of his previous club. Despite drawing a straightforward save from Lukasz Fabianski, Leeds would go on to take the lead after an auspicious start from Jack Harrison, who recorded his first career hat-trick in the comparable game last season. Rodrigo scored his 13th Premier League goal of the year after catching McKennie’s long pass on the full.
It gave West Ham a boost. Joel Robles’ feet stopped Tomas Soucek’s close-range attempt after a succession of corners. In what could be his final home game as a Hammer, Rice had a sighter from 25 yards out that missed the target, but he wouldn’t let that stop him from having his moment. A wonderful Fornals flick let Bowen free to go down the right channel, and his cross was put up to the far post for the advancing Rice to direct his shot into the ground and over the scurrying Robles.
A Soucek clearing and cushioned pass by Danny Ings set Lucas Paqueta on a driving run before Pablo Fornals was picked out, but his effort was off-target. Bamford was then substituted right away with what appeared to be a hamstring injury. A few seconds later, Leeds was split open by another counterattack, with Fornals this time serving as Emerson’s provider but being denied by Robles. A fun first session was brought to a close by an air shot from Wilfried Gnonto and a looping volley from Paqueta.
Rice was jubilant when Bowen barely held off Robles with his shot, which he tucked wide and into the far corner with the help of Max Wober’s back leg. Along with Everton and Leicester, West Ham also benefited from the VAR review. In the last seven minutes, Bowen would be taken off to a standing ovation as Leeds attempted to equalize with everything they had. Sam Greenwood took McKennie’s place as Allardyce decided to go all-in. Moments after the tactical change, Crysencio Summerville was released, but not before Paqueta made a crucial last-ditch challenge. As more exquisite dribbling from the star of the show found Lanzini for a straightforward finish to put Leeds on the ropes, it would prove to be a crucial moment.
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