Sunday, September 26

Another great away win for Irons

Leeds United 1 West Ham 2

Listened to this one on the radio though my pal Big Joe, who once took an issue of Granta to Sunderland, is there with his copy of The New Yorker. Leeds might have had an injury crisis with Bamford, Harrison and Ayling out, but this was still a difficult away test up against a fervent crowd. And we'll certainly have to show Endurance against a team containing Shackleton. 

Antonio is set up by Benrahma early on and forces Meslier into a fine save, while the Leeds keeper then has to tip away an excellent curling shot from Benrahma.

Leeds came back into it as Fabianski has to produce a great tip over from Dallas' long-range effort. The home side take the lead after Soucek miscontrols, Rodrigo breaks and crosses for Raphina to pass home a precise finish into the corner. It's almost two when Raphina hits the base of the post.

The Irons have a fantastic chance to equalise before the break after a great ball from Antonio releases Fornals, who fires at Meslier's legs. After the break West Ham think Soucek has equalised, only for VAR to correctly spot that Antonio's arm is in the keeper's face.

It looks like an away defeat as Klich fires wide when in acres of space. But after Raphina goes off Leeds start to fade and it's all West Ham. Firpo vacates his left-back slot and Bowen exploits the space to fire in a cross that is deflected into his own net by Firpo.

A neat interchange between Benrahma and Antonio sees the West Ham striker's shot saved by Meslier's legs again. It looks like a 1-1 draw until the 89th minute. Then Rice breaks to play a great ball inside to Antonio. Michail expertly nicks the ball around Shackleton and passes into the far corner for a superb late winner.

There's something a bit special about this side — we have belief and don't know when we're beaten. West Ham go seventh. Another 29 points and we're safe! Irons!

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