December 24, 2024

Leeds United 1-2 West Ham: Angelo Ogbonna scores winner as David Moyes’ side move up to fifth

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There were new floodlights at Elland Road but the shine has worn off Leeds United on their own patch.

It is now five without a win here for Marcelo Bielsa’s side and West Ham were deserved winners.

The visiting team were much the brighter beneath the newly-installed lights and climbed to fifth thanks to Angelo Ogbonna’s 80th-minute winner. 

Angelo Ogbonna (2R) celebrates after scoring the decisive goal as West Ham beat Leeds 2-1

Angelo Ogbonna (2R) celebrates after scoring the decisive goal as West Ham beat Leeds 2-1

Ilan Meslier watches on as Ogbonna's header nestles in the net and West Ham take the lead

Ilan Meslier watches on as Ogbonna’s header nestles in the net and West Ham take the lead

Tomas Soucek is jubilant after his goal pulled West Ham level in their clash against Leeds

Tomas Soucek is jubilant after his goal pulled West Ham level in their clash against Leeds

MATCH FACTS 

Leeds: Meslier; Dallas, Ayling, Alioski (Shackleton, 46); Phillips; Raphinha, Rodrigo, Klich, Harrison (Helder Costa, 46); Bamford (Roberts, 74)

Subs: Casilla, Struijk, Hernandez, Poveda-Ocampo 

Booked: Alioski

Goal: Klich 6 (pen.) 

West Ham: Fabianski; Coufal, Balbuena, Ogbonna, Cresswell; Rice, Soucek; Bowen (Johnson, 85), Benrahma (Noble, 84), Fornals (Snodgass, 90); Haller

Subs: Randolph, Lanzini, Fredericks, Dawson 

Booked: Fabianski, Noble 

Goals: Soucek 25, Ogbonna 80 

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Leeds were fortunate to still be level come that point and even their goal owed much to the vagaries of VAR.

Mateusz Klich gave them an early lead from the penalty spot but only after a retake when Lukasz Fabianski was adjudged to have moved from his goal-line. It was terribly harsh.

But West Ham recovered to claim a fourth victory in five when centre back Ogbonna rose to flash home from Aaron Cresswell’s free-kick delivery.

For Leeds, this was another below-par showing. Last weekend’s 3-1 defeat at Chelsea was the first time they have looked like a newly-promoted team. That is intended as a compliment.

But they were way off it for the bulk of a one-sided contest at Stamford Bridge, albeit against excellent opponents. West Ham are not as good as Chelsea but they were equally superior for the majority here.

What should be of great concern for Bielsa is the concession of two more goals from set-pieces, taking their tally to a league-high seven.

The Argentine said: ‘We have had this problem before and resolved it. Now it’s happening again. We have to reproduce what happens in the game in a training session. We will continue to do this until we resolve the problem.’

Hammers boss David Moyes was justifiably delighted, but equally miffed by the controversy of Leeds’ opener. 

Soucek managed to get the better of Stuart Dallas before pulling West Ham level versus Leeds

Soucek managed to get the better of Stuart Dallas before pulling West Ham level versus Leeds

Mateusz Klich (centre) celebrates after his retaken penalty put Leeds in front v West Ham

Mateusz Klich (centre) celebrates after his retaken penalty put Leeds in front v West Ham

Lukasz Fabianski saved Klich's initial effort but the West Ham goalkeeper was just off his line

Lukasz Fabianski saved Klich’s initial effort but the West Ham goalkeeper was just off his line

He said: ‘I think the decision was terrible. I was angry and I’m still angry that this is the way football has gone. I can’t understand what they’re doing. I think his heel is still on the line. They must have had a microscope at Stockley Park.

‘But we recovered and we never gave in. We were resilient when we had to be. We’ve got some really good players and have improved again this season.’

West Ham could not contest the award of the fourth-minute penalty. Patrick Bamford was toppled by a sliding Fabianski after he had been sprung clear by Liam Cooper. Fabianski was booked, for his attempt to win the ball was genuine. Again, the correct decision.

Klich stepped up and, so weak was his effort, Fabiasnki need not have stolen the half an inch he did. The keeper flopped to his right and saved with absolute comfort from his Poland team-mate. But things were about to get very uncomfortable. 

Replays showed Fabianski to be marginally off his line at the point of Klich’s contact. After a delay of more than a minute – that in itself should tell you it was not obvious – Michael Oliver was instructed to order a retake. 

After VAR was consulted the decision was made for Leeds' penalty to be taken again

After VAR was consulted the decision was made for Leeds’ penalty to be taken again 

Klich made no mistake at the second time of asking as he sent the retaken penalty into the net

Klich made no mistake at the second time of asking as he sent the retaken penalty into the net

Fabianski discusses the incident with his compatriot Klich following the full-time whistle

Fabianski discusses the incident with his compatriot Klich following the full-time whistle

As Sportsmail refereeing columnist Mark Clattenburg remarked: ‘Wow! The PGMOL are taking this law to the smallest of margins. They are making it impossible for goalkeepers.’

The giant screen showed a freeze-frame of the infringement before the retake. West Ham were furious, and understandably so.

Fabianski barely moved second time around – that would have pleased Stockley Park – and Klich duly rolled into the bottom corner. It begs the question – what next for goalkeepers? A starting position behind their line? It seems the only logical tactic to avoid the nonsense of such decisions.

The injustice, however, at least served as motivation and West Ham were level on 25 minutes. Jarrod Bowen swung over a corner from the right and Tomas Soucek out-jumped Stuart Dallas to connect. For reasons known only to goalkeeper Illan Meslier, he reacted as if Soucek had thrown a brick at him, not headed a football. And so the young Frenchman flapped at it at the expense of an equaliser.

West Ham controlled the second half and Sebastien Haller, the outstanding Bowen and Fabian Balbuena all threatened before Ogbonna towered unopposed to win it.

There is much work for Leeds to do on that training pitch.

Sebastien Haller frequently tried his luck in front of goal but was unable to find the net

Sebastien Haller frequently tried his luck in front of goal but was unable to find the net

David Moyes oversaw an impressive performance from West Ham, who moved up to fifth

David Moyes oversaw an impressive performance from West Ham, who moved up to fifth 

Leeds boss Marcelo Bielsa cut an animated figure with his side not producing their best display

Leeds boss Marcelo Bielsa cut an animated figure with his side not producing their best display

Recap Sportsmail’s live EPL coverage of the game. 

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