Hammers keep up the pressure on the top four

West Ham 2 Leeds United 0

It's a poor start from West Ham after a nine-day rest. Leeds begin strongly and after some poor defending Roberts has the ball in the net early on only to be disallowed for a very marginal offside. Bamford nets again a minute later though this time the ball has clearly gone out of play before it was crossed.

Thanks to some fine retrievals by captain Declan Rice the Hammers slowly get into the game. After 21 minutes Benrahma plays a one-two with Lingard and as Jesse accelerates into the box he's felled by the failing Ayling. Always said. Mike Dean was a great ref and he points to the spot. Strangely it's Lingard who takes the kick, despite Rice's success against Sheffield United. It's a poor penalty but luckily Meslier parries it straight out to Lingard who nets a goal from open play.

EARLY DAWSON

Seven minutes later the Hammers get a corner, a good sign as we know Leeds are suspect at set-pieces. Antonio does a Kevin Nolan and stands on the keeper's toes, Cresswell plays in a fine corner and Craig Dawson makes the ball his to score with a diving header. His fourth goal for the Hammers in 11 games and what a loan signing he's proving to be.

Dawson then hits the post with another header from a corner and the Hammers go in two-up at the break. Strangely we all resist the urge to switch over and watch Meghan and Harry on ITV.

To give Leeds credit they really give it a go in the second half. Fabianski has to make a superb save to tip over Raphina's deflected overhead kick. Bamford then slices just wide after getting behind the West Ham centre backs.

At the other end Fornals fires a great half-volley on to the bar and then Benrahma produces a low save from Meslier. Matt wonders on WhatsApp if Benrahma will ever score for the Hammers. He looks classy with the way he glides past players and has had a good game.Perhaps when that first goal comes he'll get a hatful.

WASTEFUL LEEDS

Leeds best chance arrives when Raphina pulls back for Bamford to slice hopelessly over. It's certainly been an entertaining, open game. Dawson has to clear off the line and the Watford loanee is again immense at he back as the Irons prove their resilience.

Over in Clacton, Alison has noted a resemblance between Bielsa and Jack Duckworth. Is it wise for a man of his age to spend so long squatting? Bowen comes on to see the game out. The forward players haven't really got going, but there have been several plusses apart from Dawson's performance. Diop has been proactive in winning challenges, Cresswell has had a fine game and Rice has had a fine game in midfield. Somehow the Irons have managed to become capable of winning when not playing well.

It's left to Declan Rice to give the best interview of the night. We move up to fifth with 11 games to go. Will it be a good season or a great one? It's in the players' hands now with vital games against Man United and Arsenal ahead, plus Chelsea to visit the London Stadium and five of the lower sides left to play. Irons!

PLAYER RATINGS: Fabianski 7; Coufal 6, Diop 7, Dawson 9, Cresswell 8; Fornals 6, Rice 8, Soucek 6, Benrahma 7 (Bowen 6), Lingard 7 (Johnson n/a); Antonio 6.