ANGELO OGBONNA’S late header has West Ham dreaming of Europe.
The Hammers had squandered chance after chance in this thriller at Elland Road.
Angelo Ogbonna scored the winner for the HammersCredit: Times Newspapers Ltd
But the big centre-back made no mistake with 10 minutes to go, expertly guiding Aarron Cresswell’s free-kick into the top corner.
David Moyes’ side are up to fifth and have won four of their last five.
And while Europe may seem a bridge too far for a side tipped to go down, why the hell not?
Mateusz Kilch gave Leeds an early lead from the penalty spot at the second time of asking.
His first effort was woeful and gobbled up by Lukasz Fabianski.
But the Pole’s left foot was millimetres over the goal line and VAR ordered a retake – with Klich making no mistake second time around.
Tomas Soucek’s header drew the Hammers level, and the Irons had a host of chances to bag the win before Ogbonna settled it.
For Leeds, the bubble may have finally burst after their helter-skelter start to life in the Premier League.
Tomas Soucek levelled the scoring for West Ham Credit: AP:Associated Press
With just one win from six at home all season, they missed the chance to creep into the top half.
While Marcelo Bielsa’s side had plenty of opportunities themselves, they can’t help but offer the opposition even more.
In their first meeting since 2012, the Whites were ahead after six minutes – but it was far from straightforward.
Liam Cooper’s exquisite through ball put Bamford in and Michael Oliver pointed to the spot after he rounded Fabianski before being hauled down.
Klich’s effort low to the left was atrocious and easily saved by the Pole down to his right.
But, as play resumed, dastardly VAR spotted the keeper’s off the goal-line.
The Hammers were furious, with Declan Rice and Fabianski pointing Oliver to the big screen showing a replay.
Oliver was unmoved, and Klich was given the chance to atone against his compatriot.
Lukasz Fabianski saved Mateusz Klich’s first penaltyCredit: PA:Press Association
The midfielder went the other way with plenty more conviction and buried it low past Fabianski.
West Ham did not sulk for long though and looked dangerous every time they broke at breakneck speed, with Benrahma looking a cut above.
And they were level on 25 minutes via Tomas Soucek, the defensive midfielder who just can’t stop scoring.
Rising above Stuart Dallas, the Czech met Jarrod Bowen’s deep corner from the left and powered through Illan Meslier for his third in four games.
A decent header no doubt, but the young French stopper was all at sea and somehow failed to keep it out with his left hand.
As ever with this Bielsa side it was a back-and-forth tussle, and Rodrigo should have put the hosts back ahead minutes later.
Played in down the right, the Spaniard had Ogbonna in knots as he checked onto his trusty left foot but, with the goal gaping, he fired straight at Fabianski.
Irons striker Sebastien Haller had a lousy opening 45 having lost possession a whopping 12 times.
The Leeds United star scored from the penalty spot on his second attemptCredit: AP:Associated Press
The Frenchman wasted a couple of half-chances too, and he squandered a golden one on 53 minutes – firing off Ayling after creating half a yard for himself.
Ogbonna headed straight at Meslier from the corner, but the Irons smelled victory.
Benrahma was next, bending one inches wide from 20-yards, and Moyes’ boys were getting closer.
Pablo Fornals scuffed one inches past the post before Fabian Balbuena’s forced a stunning save from Meslier.
It was looking more and more like one of those nights, and a point would have been no disaster for Moyes.
But while pretty much the whole side had blown a decent chance, Ogbonna made no mistake with his first to leave the Hammers dreaming big.
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Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
