Declan Rice and Jarrod Bowen scored as West Ham erased an early Leeds United advantage in a 3-1 win at London’s Olympic Stadium on Sunday.
The loss sends Sam Allardyce’s side closer to relegation, as Leeds will need to beat Tottenham in Week 38 and get help from Everton and Leicester City along the way.
WATCH WEST HAM vs LEEDS FULL MATCH REPLAY STREAM - LINK
Leeds has two fewer points than 17th-place Everton and just one more than Leicester, who has two matches left starting Monday vs Newcastle.
Manuel Lanzini scored deep in stoppage to salt away the three points for West Ham., which navigated the travel and emotions from defeating AZ Alkmaar on Thursday to reach the UEFA Europa Conference League Final, and their 40 points are good for 14th place.
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Leaky Leeds concedes more
It’s now been 12 Premier League games since Leeds or its opponent kept a clean sheet. Seven of those matches are Leeds losses.
Leeds has conceded 74 goals this season, a league-high, and may well lose their place in the top flight despite being middle of the pack in goals scored.
It hasn’t been pretty even if it has been entertaining, and it’s a bit of cruel trick to imagine a manager could’ve come in and just taught a poor defensive unit to defend a lot better.
If Leeds goes down -- and who knows what Tottenham will look like at Elland Road next week -- it will be because of a variety of factors, but not being able to stop the other team will be the primary reason.
West Ham vs Leeds player ratings: Stars of the Show
Declan Rice
Pascal Struijk
Lucas Paqueta
Rodrigo
Jarrod Bowen
What’s next?
West Ham finishes at Leicester City on Sunday, May 28, while Leeds hosts Tottenham.
The Irons also have the Europa Conference League Final versus Fiorentina on June 7 in Prague.
Rodrigo goal video: Volleyed in front!
Declan Rice goal video: Grounded finish levels line
Jarrod Bowen goal video: Razor-sharp run, cut finish
Manuel Lanzini goal video: Irons cement the win
How to watch West Ham vs Leeds live, stream link and start time
Kick off: 8:30am ET, SundayTV Channel: USA NetworkOnline: Stream via NBCSports.com
Key storylines & star players
For West Ham, it’s just about rallying after plenty of travel and the full-90 of industry required to get past AZ in the Zaan district. Pablo Fornals’ fun goal to end the tie gives him “star player” status for this section, though Declan Rice is having a sensational season.
Leeds needs something from someone to help stop goals. They’ve scored in 11-straight Premier League games but are winless in the last seven. Sam Allardyce is supposed to be the guy to help sort it out, but the opponents have been tough. This is Leeds’ best chance, by far, to win one of Big Sam’s four games in charge.
West Ham team news, injuries, lineup options
OUT: Gianluca Scamacca (knee)
Your Hammers to take on Leeds! ⚒️ pic.twitter.com/91Dc0PwQPR
— West Ham United (@WestHam) May 21, 2023
Leeds team news, injuries, lineup options
OUT: Junior Firpo (suspension), Tyler Adams (thigh), Luis Sinisterra (ankle), Stuart Dallas (thigh)
📋 Your #LUFC Starting XI… pic.twitter.com/ALktPtuYOw
— Leeds United (@LUFC) May 21, 2023
