West Ham United 2-0 Leeds United
West Ham are into to the fourth round draw of the FA Cup as a first-half strike by Argentine striker Manuel Lanzini and a last-minute second from Jarred Bowen saw off a spirited Leeds United.
It was a well-deserved victory, though Leeds played a big part in an entertaining clash and the visitors had chances to level before Bowen closed the deal in the 93rd minute.
In other FA Cup news on Sunday, Liverpool came from a goal behind to beat Shrewsbury, while Antonio Conte’s Spurs came through against Morecambe thanks to late strikes from Lucas Moura and Harry Kane.
Highlights of the game
West Ham were at their opponents from the off with efforts from Jarred Bowen, Nikola Vlasic and Michail Antonio within the first 12 minutes, but they were all charged down by a resolute Leeds defence. And it was the Hammers keeper Alphonse Areola who was first to be stretched to the limit when Lewis Bate unleashed a brilliant shot which the keeper saved in the top left corner. Then Leeds wingback Junior Firpo did well to feed Mateusz Klich and this time the Hammers defence blocked his effort.
That will have pleased boss David Moyes who said he wanted to see his defence tighten up and it was so far so good. And as the half wore on the hosts worked their way on top and they went ahead on 34 minutes when the Leeds defence finally gave way. Antonio fed Vlasic, who couldn’t quite get his shot away, and in the ensuing melee the tackles flew in and Leeds defenders put their bodies on the line. Illan Meslier kept Vlasic out as he slid in but the ball landed at the feet of Lanzini who hammered it home from ten yards.
There was a lengthy VAR delay as it looked like Bowen was offside at one point, but he wasn’t interfering with play and the goal stood.
The Hammers could have doubled their lead but Ryan Fredericks scuffed his shot and Meslier saved comfortably. Leeds boss Marcelo Bielsa reacted by bringing on his most dangerous player, Raphinha, for the second half as well as the seasoned pro Stuart Dallas.
But it was the hosts who continued to threaten as Antonio shrugged off some close Leeds attention to feed Bowen and his low shot from an angle was saved by the legs of Meslier. Leeds had a glorious chance to level, on 72 minutes and it was Raphinha who orchestrated the move, chipping up a delightful ball into the danger area on the right side of the box, Klich fired a low cross-shot in and Jack Harrison had a tap in, but he couldn’t sort his feet out and screwed the ball wide from four yards.
West Ham should have made it two when Fredericks broke free down the right but instead of teeing up Bowen he shot wide from a tight angle. And then, with just three minutes to go, it looked like Leeds would equalise when a low cross from Harrison evaded Craig Dawson, but Dan James had little time to react and kneed it wide from three yards out.
As Leeds pressed for an equaliser West Ham broke and Antonio squared for Bowen to slide in the second.
It was so near, but so far for the brave Whites… and a night of celebration for the happy Hammers.
Key statistics
The Hammers were decent value for their half time lead, though Leeds had played their part in an entertaining 45 minutes. But with 55 per cent possession, ten shots to six and four to two on target the hosts had a clear edge.
The West Ham vs Leeds United betting odds backed the hosts at 1.85 to win and, in the end, it was the right result as the Hammers finished with 17 shots to eight and seven to two on target.
What’s next?
Well, SBOTOP football fans, we can look forward to another clash between these two attacking sides in seven days time when Leeds will return to the London Stadium for a Premier League clash. Having beaten Burnley, last time out, the Whites have some breathing space at the bottom end of the table and they showed enough today to suggest they can pick up a result when they return to the East End.
Before that meeting the Hammers have a Wednesday night home game against bottom club Norwich City, and that gives them a big chance to move back into the top four as the Gunners, who hold the last Champions League spot, are in EFL Cup action, before heading the Spurs for North London derby next weekend. The Hammers are on the march in the league after back to back wins, and it could be a big week for David Moyes’ men. Leeds have a week to recover and then, after they meet the Hammers again, they follow that up with a home game against relegation-threatened Newcastle.
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