West Ham boost top four chances with win over Leeds as Patrick Bamford has night to forget in front of goal

West Ham boosted their pursuit of a top-four spot with a 2-0 win over Leeds on Monday evening.

First-half goals from Jesse Lingard and Craig Dawson were enough to secure the Hammers an eighth win in 11 Premier League matches.

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Lingard missed his penalty, but tucked home the rebound

It was a night to forget for Patrick Bamford, who missed two golden chances to halve the deficit in the second half.

The result sees West Ham remain two points behind fourth-placed Chelsea, who beat Everton 2-0 on the same evening.

Tyler Roberts and Bamford had goals disallowed by VAR inside the opening 10 minutes at the London Stadium.

Helder Costa’s knee was adjudged to be offside, before he pulled the ball back for Roberts, while Raphinha had ran the ball out of play, before cutting it back for Bamford.

Against the run of play, Manchester United loanee Lingard won West Ham a penalty when he was tripped by Luke Ayling inside the box.

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West Ham have been the surprise package this season

Lingard stepped up and had his spot-kick saved by Illan Meslier, but tucked home the rebound after 21 minutes.

And the Hammers doubled their lead just seven minutes later when Dawson headed in Aaron Cresswell’s corner.

No Premier League club has conceded more first-half goals (29) than Leeds this season.

Marcelo Bielsa’s side came out firing in the second half as they missed two big opportunities in the first five minutes.

Bamford failed to find the target when he was played in on goal by Diego Llorente, before Raphinha’s audacious bicycle kick was saved by Lukasz Fabianski.

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Bamford failed to add to his 13 goal tally

West Ham almost killed the contest in the 52nd minute when Pablo Fornals’ 30-yard half-volley struck the crossbar.

Leeds continued to threaten as Raphinha and Bamford went close once more, before Rodrigo somehow had a shot cleared off the line by Dawson late on.

It was not to be for Leeds, who will be happy to leave London having lost 13 of their last 14 games in all competitions in the capital.