Leeds United 2 West Ham 2 – Harrison changes the game

Leeds United 2 West Ham 2 – Harrison changes the game.  Both teams scrap a point in a nervous affair with Leeds saving their best to the last 20 minutes.  West Ham have gotten the better of Leeds United last season. Both teams needed a win today to get away from the relegation zone.

Welcome return of Sumerville linking up with Gnoto on the left. Leeds try to hold onto possession and look more comfortable with Ayling on the right hand side adding pace.  When Leeds hoof up they rely on fifty fifties for the ball and allow West Ham to build.

Early scares for both teams with mistakes in defence.  Early yellow card for Rodrigo for a high tackle.  West Ham hold possession but Leeds look dangerous applying the pressure.  Strange free kick by Leeds with the third player, eventually lobbing the ball to Rodrigo who kicks it haphazardly into the nuts of a West Ham defender.

Gnonto breaks the deadlock just before the half hour with his first Leeds goal.  Gnonto passed across to Sumerville in space, who then flicks the ball back to Gnonto running into space to slot it past the keeper. 

Commentator singing the praises of Meslier suggesting he is a candidate for playing in the champions league in the future. 

West Ham test the weakness of the Leeds defence just before half time with Bowen scoring but is off side, and then Struijk brings down Bowen in the box, Bowen had nudged the ball forward and Struick catches Bowen for the penalty. Paqueta brings the score to 1-1 with a stutter.  Leeds have struggled with West Ham’s possession and the score is a fair one.

Second half takes off

Horror show at the beginning of the first half with Leeds making a similar mistake as at City with a pass in defence, this time by Aaronson, picked up by West Ham and on the second touch shoots into goal.  Leeds are behind at the start of the second half. 

Leeds are pressing hard with the risk of West Ham counter attacking. Sumerville gets into a battle with Zouffall and pulls out just in time to avoid a red card.  Harrison is quickly sent on to replace Sumerville. Klich replaces Aaronson after his mistake.

On 70 minutes Leeds make the pressure count with an equaliser from Rodrigo.  Adams takes the direct route through the middle to Harrison who passes to Rodrigo with one touch to create a free shot on goal. 2-2.

West Ham reply with pressure on Leeds defence but Harrison again to Rodrigo who should have done better.  Leeds keep pressure on but West Ham defenders head the corners away.

Marsch gets animated at some of the poor referee decisions and earns himself a yellow card.   Leeds nearly score from a corner only for Antonio to block.  Harrison has been the difference for Leeds since he came on, pushing the ball forward into dangerous positions. Gnoto has been very positive moving forward but his passing has generally not found a player.  As usual Gelhardt is brought on for the last few minutes.  Nervous end to the match as Antonio nearly scores a winner.  Leeds win a free kick at the death with Fabianski  saving a pin point header from Rodrigo.

Man of the match: Gnonto