West Ham dominated Leeds with a commanding 3-0 victory at London Stadium, securing three crucial points with goals from Valentín Castellanos, Jarrod Bowen, and Callum Wilson.
West Ham entered the match fighting relegation fears, sitting 18th in the Premier League table with just 36 points from 37 games. Leeds arrived in 14th place with 47 points, looking to build on recent positive form. The Hammers needed a result badly after a difficult run of three consecutive losses.
The opening 45 minutes saw Leeds control possession with 58% of the ball, but West Ham remained dangerous on the counter-attack. Leeds midfielder Brenden Aaronson picked up a yellow card in the 25th minute for a reckless challenge. The Whites created chances but failed to convert them into clear-cut opportunities.
West Ham's defense held firm throughout the first half. Konstantinos Mavropanos marshaled the back line effectively, while goalkeeper Karl Darlow stayed alert for Leeds. The Hammers absorbed pressure and looked to strike quickly when opportunities arose.
The match remained goalless at the break, but West Ham's resilience suggested they could trouble Leeds in the second period. Both teams needed to be more clinical with their finishing to break the deadlock.
Castellanos broke the deadlock in the 67th minute with a well-taken finish. The striker latched onto a loose ball in the box and fired past Darlow with precision. West Ham suddenly had the lead and momentum shifted decisively in their favor.
Bowen doubled the advantage in the 79th minute with a composed finish. The winger received the ball on the edge of the area and slotted it past Darlow to seal the points. Leeds' defense crumbled under sustained pressure from the home side.
Callum Wilson added a third goal in the 90+4th minute to complete the rout. West Ham's clinical finishing in the final stages punished Leeds for their wastefulness. The comprehensive victory sent the home crowd into celebration.
West Ham created 13 total shots with 7 on target, compared to Leeds' 13 shots with only 3 on target. The Hammers' expected goals (xG) reached 2.03, while Leeds managed 1.57. Possession favored Leeds at 58% to 42%, but West Ham's efficiency proved decisive.
Bowen and Mateus Fernandes impressed for West Ham, both earning 7.7 ratings. Fernandes provided an assist alongside his solid defensive work with five tackles. Darlow made four saves for Leeds but couldn't prevent the defeat.
This result keeps West Ham's survival hopes alive with one match remaining. Leeds, meanwhile, must regroup after a disappointing performance that failed to build on their recent winning streak.
