Leeds Stun West Ham 2-1 as Hammers' Early Season Woes Deepen

Leeds United delivered a blistering first-half performance to defeat West Ham United 2-1 at Elland Road, extending the Hammers' nightmare start to the season. The hosts capitalized on West Ham's persistent vulnerabilities from set pieces, scoring twice in the first 15 minutes to dismantle their opponents.

Brenden Aaronson opened the scoring in the third minute after a swift counter-attack, converting a close-range finish following a penalty-box duel. Just 12 minutes later, Joe Rodon doubled Leeds' lead with a towering header from a corner, marking the ninth goal West Ham has conceded from such situations in just nine Premier League games. The early onslaught left manager Nuno Espirito Santo stunned, prompting an emergency substitution as injured forward Ollie Watkins was replaced by Callum Wilson.

West Ham showed brief signs of improvement after the switch, with Lucas Paqueta's disallowed goal highlighting their fleeting hope. However, their defensive frailties persisted, and they faced boos from their own fans at halftime as they trudged off 2-0 down. The Hammers' resilience was further tested in the second half, with Leeds creating multiple chances, including a crossbar strike from Aaronson.

A late consolation goal from Mateus Fernandes in the 90th minute offered a fleeting spark, but it was insufficient to salvage the match. The defeat leaves West Ham languishing in the relegation zone, with their joint-worst start to a league season compounding concerns. Meanwhile, Leeds climbed six points clear of the drop, though their own struggles remain evident as they grapple with consistency.

Leeds' Joe Rodon was named Player of the Match for his clinical contributions, while West Ham's defensive missteps and tactical confusion drew sharp criticism. Manager Rob Green, a former Hammers goalkeeper, lamented the team's lack of cohesion, stating, "They didn't turn up—same issues as Monday, same mistakes. There's no joined-up thinking." With Wolves potentially moving above them on Saturday, West Ham faces a critical test to avoid the league basement.