Guess what? Another trip to England’s capital for Leeds United. And as Leeds fans, we know how disappointing their record in London has been with no wins in London since a 3-1 win v QPR in December 2017.
This game was 7th placed West Ham (playing in claret and blue) v Leeds United (playing in green and yellow).
After the weekend’s other results, Leeds didn’t fall too many places if at all, West Ham dropped down slightly.
How would this game go, would it be yet another defeat in London for Leeds or would their hoodoo end at West Ham? Would West Ham be the 2nd team to do the double over Leeds this season?
Keep reading to find out.
It was played at the London Stadium
Ref for picture:Â https://www.facebook.com/LeedsUnited/photos
After 5 minutes Costa’s left footed shot  from the right side of the box but was too high.
Disallowed goal
A minute later, Leeds thought they’d took the lead as it was good buildup from them which ended with Roberts scoring,  but on the VAR check they ruled Costa was offside but it was tight.
Then two minutes later, Raphinha crossed and Bamford finished calmly, but the ball went out before he crossed it.
Ten minutes later, Antonio dug out a cross for Soucek who couldn’t get a decent connection.
West Ham penalty and first goal
Two minutes later, Ayling tripped Lingard in the area, and the referee awarded a penalty.  Lingard’s first attempt was saved by Meslier, but Lingard scored the rebound.
2nd West Ham goal
After 27 minutes, things got worse for Leeds as Creswell’s freekick deflected off the wall having wrong-footed Meslier for a corner. From the resulting corner, Cresswell crossed and Dawson got a run on Llorente and headed in.
With 11 minutes of the first half remaining, Benrahma pulled it back for Lingard whose right footed shot from the left side of the box was high and wide.
Then three minutes later, Benrahma drifted past three defenders but his shot was saved by Meslier.
The last action of the first half was another West Ham chance as from a corner Dawson headed against the post.
Halftime score: Â West Ham United 2-0 Leeds United
So a first half that started brightly for Leeds ended in disaster with two goals conceded both from set-pieces, could they turn things round 2nd half?
After 47 minutes, a glorious chance for Leeds as Llorente played a through ball to Bamford who shot wide with his left foot.
A couple of minutes later, Raphinha tried a overhead kick which was deflected by Dip and tipped over by Fabianski for a corner which came to nothing.
Then after 52 minutes a chance for both teams as Fornals’ dipped effort with his right footed shot from outside the area hit the bar. Then at the other end Raphinha shot just wide with his left foot.
Just after the hour mark, Raphinha had another chance for Leeds but he shot straight at Fabianski.
With twenty minutes remaining, Dallas had a shot with his right foot from outside the area which was blocked.
After 77 minutes, Raphinha squared to Bamford who shot over
With ten minutes left, Rodrigo from outside the box shot over with his left foot.
After 86 minutes, Leeds perhaps knew it wasn’t to be their night as Ayling cross and Rodrigo’s effort was cleared off the line.
There were a couple more chances for both teams but it drifted towards its conclusion
Fulltime score: West Ham United 2-0 Leeds United
Another night where Leeds created a load of chances but the ball just wasn’t going into the back of the net. Another defeat in the capital for Leeds.
Leeds remain in 11th place on 35 points, nine points above the bottom three but they perhaps need one or two more wins if they want to guarantee survival for next season. West Ham are upto fifth in the league.
Highlights from this game at this link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ymzcKbi7dnY
Next up for Leeds is a home game against Chelsea back on the slippy Elland Road surface on Saturday 13th March with a lunchtime kickoff at 12:30pm.
