West Ham exploit Leeds set-piece weakness for 2-1 EPL win

By: The Associated Press Posted: 4:40 PM CST Friday, Dec. 11, 2020

LEEDS, England - Leeds’ weakness at set-pieces haunted it again as West Ham came from behind to win 2-1 at Elland Road in the English Premier League on Friday.

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LEEDS, England - Leeds’ weakness at set-pieces haunted it again as West Ham came from behind to win 2-1 at Elland Road in the English Premier League on Friday.

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This article was published 11/12/2020 (2076 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

LEEDS, England – Leeds’ weakness at set-pieces haunted it again as West Ham came from behind to win 2-1 at Elland Road in the English Premier League on Friday.

For all its free-flowing football under Marcelo Bielsa, Leeds has frequently been chaotic at the back on its league return — particularly from free kicks and corners — and Tomas Soucek and Angelo Ogbonna were the latest beneficiaries.

Mateusz Klich gave Leeds an early advantage from the spot, but towering headers from the Hammers pair ensured the points went back to London.

West Ham's Tomas Soucek celebrates after scoring his side's opening goal during the English Premier League soccer match between Leeds United and West Ham at Elland Road stadium in Leeds, England, Friday, Dec. 11, 2020. (Oli Scarff, Pool via AP)

West Ham remained fifth and Leeds stayed 14th overall.

Patrick Bamford was clear until he was brought down by Lukasz Fabianski as he rounded the Polish goalkeeper. Fabianski saved compatriot Klich’s tame initial effort but replays showed he moved off his line and Klich made no mistake second time around.

West Ham levelled 25 minutes in when Jarrod Bowen’s in-swinging corner was met by Soucek, whose drilled header was too strong for goalie Illan Meslier who should have done better.

Meslier had little chance in the 80th as he was unable to get anywhere near Ogbonna’s header which came from an inch-perfect Aaron Cresswell cross after a sloppy Helder Costa foul.