West Ham Utd  3  (Castellanos 67, Bowen 79, Wilson 90+5))​

Leeds United    0

​

​

24th May 2026, Premier League.

 

62,471

​

That wasn’t a great way to close out what has been generally an excellent season. The intense heat made it as unbearable to watch as it was no doubt for the players to play in! I was wishing the time away from early in the first half! God, it was hot!

​

It was all about the hosts, of course, not us, and it was all bound up with events six miles up the road at Tottenham, too. Hence, while it remained goalless in both games for almost all of the first half, it was not surprising that neither side in our game was being too adventurous, especially in that debilitating heat. There were chances, two good ones for Leeds, as both Nmecha and Calvert-Lewin spurned opportunities in front of goal, while at the other end, a deflection put a Pablo shot over the bar, and a diving save from Karl Darlow pushed a low Fernandes drive away.

​

News that Spurs had taken the lead against Everton filtered through to our game just before the break, and there was no doubt that it was that news which spurred West Ham to start dominating in the second half as they looked for a lifeline. Even so, chances were still few and far between for both sides right up until the Hammers got a breakthrough in the 67th minute. Poor Leeds marking left Taty Castellanos as a spare man at the back post, and he headed in to give the home side something to fight for.

​

In the circumstances, I guess it was not surprising that Leeds didn’t look to have the appetite for a fight today; we had little to play for ourselves, and that heat must have been awful to play in – it was pretty awful just standing and watching in it! Hence, it came as no surprise that Leeds wilted and West Ham took advantage.

​

First, a poorly judged hospital pass from Pascal Struijk was intercepted, and then that man Taty threaded the ball through and past the stretching leg of the retreating Struijk to find Jarrod Bowen, who raced through on his own to strike a lovely shot low into the far corner from a tight angle. Deep into added time at the end, Leeds were slow to try to close down Callum Wilson, and his firm strike from the edge of the box flew through a crowded area to beat Darlow all ends up.

​

West Ham had done what they needed to do, but Spurs held onto that lead against Everton, and it meant it was all to no avail for the unhappy Hammers.

​

So, a bit of a disappointment to end on such a bum note, but I'm sure we can all forgive the lads for this one after such a fantastic season overall. A cup semi-final, 47 points, and achieving safety a fortnight before the end of the season was more than we could all have dreamed of last August. If anything, this performance might just be a small reminder to the powers that be at Leeds that we now need substantial further investment in the playing staff this summer to take us to the next level. We all know how many points we have given away this season, points that, daft as it sounds, could have had us knocking on the door of Europe qualification this season, even with the current squad. So, we are not far off and have the decent core of a top-half Premier League side. BUT another four or five top-quality players will hopefully have us competing in the top half from the very start next season. Sadly, some of the players who have got us to this stage will have to make way. If the 49ers are sincere about their ambitions, they will know what is needed. Next season should, all being well, be even more enjoyable than this one! Have a great summer, everyone!