The 2022-2023 Premier League season has been a topsy-turvy ride for many teams so far. Now that the league stage has almost come to an end, every single outcome, be it a win, loss or draw is changing the entire landscape of the ranking table every passing day. In one such recent outcome, Europa Conference League finalists West Ham United pulled of a stellar comeback victory against Leeds United in their weekend encounter on Sunday at the London Stadium. Leeds had a good start, scoring the opening goal within the first 15 minutes, but West Ham pulled the game back in their favour to finish with a comfortable 3-1 victory.
This is for the second straight week that Leeds United have been unavble to cement their early lead in a match and failed to get the winning points. While they were able to at least get a 2-2- draw against Newcastle United in the match on 13.05.2023, this time they have ended up losing. While they were levelled on the scoreline in the first half, late goals late goals from Jarrod Bowen and Manuel Lanzini in the
Leeds had a solod start to the match as Rodrego Moreno scored the opening goal of the match by volleying in a long throw-in by Weston McKennie in the 17th minute from 12 yards out. Declan Rice soon squeezed in the equalizer for West Ham in the 31st-minute to level the scores. Soon enough, another tragedy struck Leeds United as their striker Patrick Bamford had to be taken off the field around the 35th minute due to an injury. The first half eventually ended with both teams sitting with one goal each.
As the second half kicked off, West Ham United seemingly shifted gears and began attacking the Leeds defense lineup, taking advantage of the absense of the opoonent’s lead striker. The home team was ultimately able to double their lead at 72 minutes when Jarrod Bowen converted a pass from Danny Ings. As Leeds United struggled to get the equalizer, West Ham capitalized and got their third and final goal of the match at 90+4 minutes as substitute Manuel Lanzini collected a quick pass from Lucas Paqueta and sent it into the nets during extra time,
As a result of this loss, Leeds United are now placed in 19th position and drop further down into the relegation zone. It was yet another example of how Leeds have failed to convert their early lead into a victory. It seems that the team gets complacent after scoring the opening goal and then lets the match slip out of their hands by the 90th minute. Further, Bamford’s departure in the first half seemingly turned out to be the bummer for Leeds as their attack got crippled since then and they failed to put much pressure on the West Ham defence lineup thereon.
As for West Ham United, they now move up to the 14th spot with 40 points from 37 games. While they are pretty safely placed in the ranks, they will next be facing 18th place Leicester City on Sunday, who are desperate to get this win to make it past the relegation zone.
