Emirates FA Cup Third Round

West Ham United 2 (Lanzini 34, Bowen 90+3)

Leeds United 0

West Ham: Areola, Dawson, Diop, Fredericks, Johnson, Soucek, Rice, Vlasic (Masuaku 88), Lanzini (Fornals 76), Bowen, Antonio (Yarmolenko 90+5).  Subs not used: Randolph, Noble, Kral, Oko-Flex, Alese, Baptiste.

Leeds: Meslier, Ayling (Forshaw 60), Hjelde (Summerville 78), Llorente,  Firpo (Drameh 69), Koch, James, Harrison, Bate (Dallas 45’), Klich, Greenwood (Raphinha 45). Subs not used: Klaesson, McCarron, Jenkins, Moore.

Booked: Lanzini (West Ham) Drameh (Leeds)

Referee: Stuart Attwell

Venue: London Stadium

Leeds United’s 2022 FA Cup campaign came to an end after a 2-0 defeat by West Ham United at the London Stadium.

The home side had the first big chance of the game. Declan Rice crossed into the box and a defensive header from Junior Firpo fell kindly for Jarrod Bowen, who shot on target, only to see Luke Ayling in the right place to clear off the line.

The Whites then looked to push forward themselves and create chances, all inside the opening 20 minutes or so of this FA Cup Third Round clash. Debutant Lewis Bate showed some good footwork to create a shooting opportunity, which Alphonse Areola was alert to and saved well.

After Michail Antonio had struck from outside the area and come close, next to try his luck at the opposite end was Sam Greenwood, but his strike didn’t trouble the Hammers.

West Ham did take the lead in the game just after the half-hour mark, in what appeared to be controversial circumstances. Nikola Vlasic raced into the box and shot, then the rebound fell for Manuel Lanzini to fire into the net.

The controversy came from Bowen, who appeared to be offside twice during the play and the West Ham forward also appeared to interfere with the play, when Illan Meslier went to collect the ball. Following a lengthy VAR check, the goal was eventually awarded.

There were no further major chances during the rest of the half in what had been a relatively even encounter in this FA Cup tie, meaning the Hammers went into the break with a one-goal advantage.

Half time: West Ham United 1-0 Leeds United

Leeds made a double change at the interval. Greenwood and Bate were replaced by Stuart Dallas and Raphinha, as the Whites went in search of a route back into game.

It was the hosts though who came close to doubling their advantage. Good work from Antonio saw the forward force himself up to the edge of the area and play Bowen the ball in a shooting position, with the first half goalscorer forcing Meslier to make a good save.

Both teams were having to settle for set-pieces when it came to creating opportunities in front of goal, but as had been the case for the majority of the game, the defences were staying on top and clearing any possible openings at both ends.

Leeds did create an excellent chance with 20 minutes remaining. A ball in the box came wide for Mateusz Klich who volleyed back across the face of goal and found Jack Harrison, but the winger couldn’t keep his effort down as it flew over the bar.

Continuing their search for an equaliser, Leeds had made all five changes that they were allowed. The latest three had seen Adam Forshaw, Cody Drameh and Crysencio Summerville all entering the action.

Ryan Fredericks had the opportunity to put the tie to bed with nine minutes left, he found himself in a good position in the box, but struck wide from a narrow angle, with Rice and Bowen both waiting for a pull-back.

Leeds threw the kitchen sink at West Ham as the game went into stoppage time, winning a late corner and sending goalkeeper Meslier forward.  However, following the set-piece, West Ham eventually cleared and broke forward, with Antonio playing Bowen in on goal and he slotted past Meslier to ensure the Hammer progressed.

Full time: West Ham United 2-0 Leeds United