Premier League
Leeds United 2 (Gnonto 28’, Rodrigo 70’)
West Ham United 2 (Paqueta 44’ pen, Scamacca 46’)
Leeds: Meslier (GK), Ayling, Koch, Cooper (C), Aaronson (Klich 63’), Roca (Greenwood 78’), Summerville (Harrison 63’), Adams, Rodrigo, Struijk, Gnonto (Gelhardt 90’). Subs not used: Robles (GK), Firpo, Llorente, Gyabi, Kristensen.
West Ham: Fabianski (GK), Coufal (Cresswell 68’), Scamacca (Antonio 67’), Fornals (Downes 80’), Paqueta (Benrahma 80’), Dawson, Bowen, Kehrer, Aguerd, Soucek, Rice (C). Subs not used: Areola (GK), Johnson, Lanzini, Ogbonna, Emerson.
Venue: Elland Road
Attendance: 36,173
Referee: David Coote
Booked: Rodrigo, Cooper, Summerville (Leeds) Downes (West Ham)
Leeds United began 2023 at home to West Ham United in the Premier League, under the lights of Elland Road.
In a match between two teams who were separated by just a two point margin, a tight encounter was expected and was indeed played out in front of 36,173 fans in West Yorkshire.
Both teams had chances throughout the match to take the three points, but ultimately they were shared in a match that saw each side go ahead at different times.
The game really sparked into life in the 28th minute, after a well crafted goal which saw Leeds take the lead. Willy Gnonto started the move and quickly received the ball back from Crysencio Summerville, before smashing home left-footed.
The home side had been on top at this point and could have doubled the lead soon after. From a Marc Roca corner, Brenden Aaronson had a good opportunity but he saw his effort go blazing over the crossbar.
The Hammers then came close themselves, but also cleared the bar. From a loose pass, Vladimir Coufal shot first time - looking to lob Illan Meslier - but it went narrowly over the bar with the ‘keeper scrambling back.
Just before the interval, a penalty was awarded to the away side, following a VAR decision to penalise Pascal Struijk for a foul in the box. Paqueta was tasked with stepping for the Hammers and he calmly slotted the ball into the top corner, to make it one apiece.
HALF TIME: Leeds United 1-1 West Ham United
The second half started exactly how the Whites would not have wanted it to do so, with the visitors going into the lead within a minute of coming back out onto the pitch.
Gianluca Scamacca capitalised on a mistake in midfield and had plenty of space. The forward still had work to do, but he looked up and struck the ball home well, going into the back of the net off the post.
Jesse Marsch went to his bench just after the hour mark, looking to find a way back into the game. Mateusz Klich and Jack Harrison came into the match. The Hammers made two changes of their own, bringing on Michail Antonio along with Aaron Cresswell.
The changes had an instant impact, as the Leeds United head coach saw his side level straight after they were made. Harrison produced the assist, playing in Rodrigo who controlled well, before firing home from the edge of the box for his 10th goal of the season.
An already tense encounter was being ramped up another notch, with chances on the pitch and huge support as always from the stands.
The combination which had drawn Leeds level nearly put them back ahead. Harrison played the ball through again, and Rodrigo forced a superb save from Luksaz Fabianski, tipping the powerful effort over the bar at full stretch.
On as another substitute, Sam Greenwood was close to adding his name to the assist chart within minutes of entering. The midfielder’s corner into the box was met by Liam Cooper, who saw his header blocked on the line before the follow up effort went over the bar.
In the final seconds, Fabianski would be called upon again and would show his international quality. Rodrigo was the player to have a great chance with a header, and the Hammers stopper responded brilliantly, tipping one-handed past the post.
That was to be the final real effort of the game and the full-time whistle was blown shortly after, meaning each side had to settle for a point in well-contested clash.
FULL TIME: Leeds United 2-2 West Ham United