Good Morning. It's Monday 27th October, and here are the latest headlines from Elland Road…
Leeds return to winning ways against Hammers
Daniel Farke’s Leeds Utd finally gave the fans something to smile about on Friday night, grinding out a nervy but vital 2-1 win over West Ham at Elland Road. The three points couldn’t have come at a better time after a miserable run that had seen just one win in eight. The result lifted the Whites up to 15th in the table, six points clear of the drop zone.
The evening started in dream fashion. Barely three minutes in, Jayden Bogle whipped a teasing delivery into the West Ham box, Noah Okafor’s clever header forced a sharp save from Areola, and Brenden Aaronson was on hand to stab home from close range. It was a statement goal from a player who went on to have his best game in a Leeds shirt. For a while, it looked like Farke’s men might run riot. Twelve minutes later, a Longstaff corner found Joe Rodon stealing free of Lucas Paquetá’s attention, and the defender thundered in a header to double the lead, as the stadium rocked.
But when have Leeds ever made things simple? The game soon turned scrappy. Injuries disrupted the rhythm; both Scarles and Gabriel Gudmundsson were forced off, and chances came and went at both ends. West Ham thought they’d pulled one back when Paquetá hammered in after a fortunate bounce, only for VAR to chalk it off for offside. That reprieve didn’t do much to calm Leeds nerves, though, as the visitors began to find their footing.
As the minutes ticked away, Leeds continued to press but couldn’t find the killer third. Okafor curled just wide, and Bogle’s drive drew another fine stop from Areola. Then came the inevitable late drama—Fernandes glancing home a Jarrod Bowen cross in the 90th minute to set up a tense finale. Fortunately for Farke, his side held firm through four anxious minutes of stoppage time. It wasn’t pretty, it wasn’t comfortable, but it was absolutely necessary. Leeds might never do it the easy way, but this hard-fought victory could prove priceless in the battle for Premier League safety.
Medford Messi on fire
Brenden Aaronson delivered his finest performance in a Leeds United shirt during the 2–1 win over West Ham on Friday night. Many supporters had called for him to be dropped, yet Daniel Farke kept faith with the American for a sixth consecutive Premier League start, and was richly rewarded.
Aaronson needed just three minutes to open the scoring, a simple finish that meant the world to a player who had been wrestling with self-doubt. The celebration that followed showed a man liberated, playing with freedom and grit rather than fear. From that point on, he looked reborn—pressing with purpose, gliding through challenges, and nearly adding a wonder goal after dancing past four defenders before rattling the crossbar.
His performance didn’t go unnoticed. Leeds fans handed him 62% of the Man of the Match vote, while Troy Deeney named him in his BBC Sport Team of the Week, describing his display as “monstrous.” Deeney also praised Farke’s bold decision to start him ahead of Jack Harrison and Dan James, calling Aaronson a “difference maker.”
According to the trusted WhoScored system, his 8.58 rating made him the standout performer across both sides; proof of how influential he was in every phase of play. It’s easy to forget how much Aaronson has adapted since his last spell in the Premier League. Often misused last season as a No. 10, he’s far more effective as a box-to-box midfielder, where his energy and timing between the lines shine brightest.
Against West Ham, he combined his trademark stamina with strength and composure, drawing fouls intelligently and driving Leeds forward at every opportunity. In contrast, AO Tanaka, ranked 10th with a poor 6.42 rating could certainly take a page from Aaronson’s book when it comes to using movement and physical presence to influence games.
Beyond cementing his place in the Leeds XI, he’s battling for inclusion in Mauricio Pochettino’s USA squad ahead of a home World Cup next summer. Performances like Friday’s suggest he’s ready to prove he offers more than relentless running. If he maintains this level, Leeds may have rediscovered not just their Medford Messi, but a midfielder capable of driving their season forward.
Calls for DCL to be dropped against Brighton
Calls are growing louder among the Elland Road faithful for Dominic Calvert-Lewin to be dropped from the starting lineup against Brighton this weekend. The striker, signed from Everton during the summer, has endured a difficult spell at Elland Road, finding the net just once this season. His early promise marked by a sharp finish against Wolves has faded quickly, leaving fans and pundits questioning his place in Daniel Farke’s plans.
Despite a steady supply of half chances, the team have lacked a clinical edge in front of goal. Much of that frustration has been directed toward Calvert-Lewin, whose finishing has fallen well below expectations. Statistical analysis highlights the depth of his struggles: he has underperformed his expected goals (xG) by an alarming 10.4 since the start of last season, the worst return among Premier League forwards over that period. For a player once tipped to become England’s next top striker, such numbers paint a concerning picture.
With Leeds aiming to climb away from danger, pressure is mounting for change. Some analysts and media outlets have suggested Joel Piroe as a viable alternative to lead the attack. Piroe’s prowess in front of goal and movement could offer the spark Leeds need to convert their chances into goals. However, manager Daniel Farke remains publicly loyal to Calvert-Lewin, emphasizing his hold-up play, aerial prowess, and relentless work rate as key assets that extend beyond his goal tally.
Still, patience among supporters may be wearing thin. Leeds have shown resilience and creativity in recent matches, but without a reliable finisher, their attacking efforts risk going unrewarded. The trip to Brighton now looms as a pivotal moment—not only for Leeds United’s season but also for Calvert-Lewin’s future in the starting eleven. Whether Farke opts for loyalty or change could shape the narrative of the club’s campaign in the weeks to come.
