In a match that felt like a microcosm of West Ham's dismal season, Leeds United delivered a clinical, high-octane start to claim a deserved 2-1 victory on October 24, 2025, at Elland Road. For Daniel Farke's Whites, this was a statement win—their third in the Premier League—propelling them up to 13th and out of the relegation mire. For Nuno Espírito Santo's Hammers, it was another gut-wrenching chapter in their joint-worst start to a top-flight campaign, with just four points from nine games and a sixth straight league loss leaving them anchored in 19th.
The game exploded into life almost immediately, as Leeds channeled their trademark Elland Road intensity to overwhelm a Hammers side that looked shell-shocked from the whistle. Just three minutes in, the home crowd erupted when Brenden Aaronson— the USMNT midfielder rediscovering his Premier League form after a three-year goal drought—pounced on a rebound to slot home the opener. It stemmed from a pinpoint cross by Jayden Bogle, headed goalward by Noah Okafor and parried by Alphonse Areola, only for Aaronson to swivel and finish with composure. Aaronson's energy was infectious; he ended the night with FotMob's Player of the Match honors, topping the charts in duels won (8), take-ons completed (3), shots (3), and chances created (2).
Leeds weren't done. They tasted blood like sharks circling their prey, and attacked again. Barely 12 minutes later, Joe Rodon rose unmarked to thunder home Sean Longstaff's corner, exploiting West Ham's Achilles' heel: set-piece defending. The Welsh defender, lauded by Farke for his aerial threat this season, shrugged off Lucas Paqueta like he was made of feathers to make it 2-0. At this point, the Hammers were adrift, their possession edging 56% overall but yielding zero menace. A first-half blow compounded their woes when left-back Ollie Scarles limped off with a shoulder injury, replaced by Callum Wilson in a reshuffle that screamed disarray.
The second half brought flickers of Hammers fightback, especially after Nuno injected creativity into a midfield that had been, frankly, pedestrian. Jarrod Bowen's audacious bicycle kick forced a double save from Lucas Perri, and the visitors ramped up the pressure as Leeds sat deeper, their xG dipping to 1.58 against West Ham's 0.63. But it took until the dying embers for the breakthrough: in the 90th minute, substitute Mateus Fernandes leaped to flick in Bowen's cross, sparking frantic scenes and a tense four minutes of stoppage time. Leeds, though, held firm—Ampadu's last-gasp tackle drawing roars from the 36,788 in attendance.
This wasn't vintage Premier League poetry; it was gritty, physical, and punctuated by Leeds' early ruthlessness. Aaronson and Rodon punished West Ham's frailties from crosses and corners—areas where the Londoners have leaked goals all season—while the visitors' lack of intent post-interval until the subs spoke volumes about Nuno's teething troubles. Post-match, Aaronson beamed about his "hard work after training," but Nuno cut a forlorn figure: "I am worried since I arrived... it's not something that surprised me."
For the second week in a row, Nuno started Paqueta up front and strangely used Scarles again on the left side when he plays mostly at right back, while Wan Bassaka played on the right. He started Andy Irving over Fernandes and Potts when both have shown more on the pitch. While fans can't fault Nuno for trying different things his formation and tactics have become head scratching fodder over the last 3 games.
For Leeds, it's a timely boost ahead of Brighton. For West Ham, facing Newcastle next feels like staring down a barrel—relegation whispers are now screams. A six-pointer squandered, and the pressure mounts.