Early blitz at Elland Road: Leeds punish a disjointed West Ham in a 2–1 win
Leeds United banked a priceless home victory, racing to a two-goal lead inside 15 minutes before holding off a late West Ham United surge to win 2–1 at Elland Road. Brenden Aaronson struck after three minutes and Joe Rodon powered in a header soon after, establishing Leeds’ earliest two-goal advantage in the top flight since April 2004. Mateus Fernandes’ 90th-minute flick offered the Hammers late hope, but Daniel Farke’s side kept their nerve to secure their first Premier League home win since the opening day.
The result lifts Leeds to 13th and, ahead of the weekend fixtures, six points clear of the drop zone. For West Ham, it was a seventh defeat in nine league games and extended Nuno Espírito Santo’s winless start to four matches, leaving his side second-bottom after another evening dominated by defensive mishaps and set-piece frailty.
Fifteen frantic minutes that framed the night