ANGELO OGBONNA’S late header has West Ham dreaming of Europe.
The Hammers had squandered probability after probability on this thriller at Elland Street.
Angelo Ogbonna scored the winner for the HammersCredit score: Occasions Newspapers Ltd
However the large centre-back made no mistake with 10 minutes to go, expertly guiding Aarron Cresswell’s free-kick into the highest nook.
David Moyes’ facet are as much as fifth and have received 4 of their final 5.
And whereas Europe could seem a bridge too far for a facet tipped to go down, why the hell not?
Mateusz Kilch gave Leeds an early lead from the penalty spot on the second time of asking.
His first effort was woeful and devoured up by Lukasz Fabianski.
However the Pole’s left foot was millimetres over the objective line and VAR ordered a retake – with Klich making no mistake second time round.
Tomas Soucek’s header drew the Hammers degree, and the Irons had a number of possibilities to bag the win earlier than Ogbonna settled it.
For Leeds, the bubble could have lastly burst after their helter-skelter begin to life within the Premier League.
Tomas Soucek levelled the scoring for West Ham Credit score: AP:Related Press
With only one win from six at dwelling all season, they missed the possibility to creep into the highest half.
Whereas Marcelo Bielsa’s facet had loads of alternatives themselves, they’ll’t assist however supply the opposition much more.
Of their first assembly since 2012, the Whites had been forward after six minutes – nevertheless it was removed from easy.
Liam Cooper’s beautiful by ball put Bamford in and Michael Oliver pointed to the spot after he rounded Fabianski earlier than being hauled down.
Klich’s effort low to the left was atrocious and simply saved by the Pole all the way down to his proper.
However, as play resumed, dastardly VAR noticed the keeper’s off the goal-line.
The Hammers had been livid, with Declan Rice and Fabianski pointing Oliver to the massive display exhibiting a replay.
Oliver was unmoved, and Klich was given the possibility to atone towards his compatriot.
Lukasz Fabianski saved Mateusz Klich’s first penaltyCredit score: PA:Press Affiliation
The midfielder went the opposite method with a lot extra conviction and buried it low previous Fabianski.
West Ham didn’t sulk for lengthy although and seemed harmful each time they broke at breakneck velocity, with Benrahma trying a minimize above.
They usually had been degree on 25 minutes by way of Tomas Soucek, the defensive midfielder who simply can’t cease scoring.
Rising above Stuart Dallas, the Czech met Jarrod Bowen’s deep nook from the left and powered by Illan Meslier for his third in 4 video games.
A good header little question, however the younger French stopper was all at sea and someway did not preserve it out together with his left hand.
As ever with this Bielsa facet it was a back-and-forth tussle, and Rodrigo ought to have put the hosts again forward minutes later.
Performed in down the suitable, the Spaniard had Ogbonna in knots as he checked onto his trusty left foot however, with the objective gaping, he fired straight at Fabianski.
Irons striker Sebastien Haller had a awful opening 45 having misplaced possession a whopping 12 instances.
The Leeds United star scored from the penalty spot on his second tryCredit score: AP:Related Press
The Frenchman wasted a few half-chances too, and he squandered a golden one on 53 minutes – firing off Ayling after creating half a yard for himself.
Ogbonna headed straight at Meslier from the nook, however the Irons smelled victory.
Benrahma was subsequent, bending one inches large from 20-yards, and Moyes’ boys had been getting nearer.
Pablo Fornals scuffed one inches previous the submit earlier than Fabian Balbuena’s compelled a shocking save from Meslier.
It was trying an increasing number of like a type of nights, and some extent would have been no catastrophe for Moyes.
However whereas just about the entire facet had blown an honest probability, Ogbonna made no mistake together with his first to depart the Hammers dreaming large.
