Leeds United returned to winning ways with a crucial 2–1 victory over West Ham United at Elland Road, easing the pressure on Daniel Farke and extending the visitors’ miserable run of form.

The hosts flew out of the blocks and were two goals up within 15 minutes. Brenden Aaronson opened the scoring after Noah Okafor’s header was parried by Alphonse Areola, with the American reacting quickest to smash home from close range. Moments later, defender Joe Rodon doubled the lead with a powerful header from a Sean Longstaff corner — his first goal for the club.

It was exactly the start Farke’s side needed after back-to-back defeats to Tottenham and Burnley, and the Elland Road crowd responded in kind.

For West Ham, it was another frustrating evening. The Hammers, now managed by Nuno Espírito Santo, once again found themselves chasing the game after a sluggish opening spell. Their defensive issues, particularly from set-pieces, were glaring once more — Leeds’ second goal marking the eighth time this season they’ve conceded from a dead-ball situation.

Nuno’s side did manage to pull one back late on through Matheus Fernandes, but it proved only a consolation as Leeds held firm under pressure. The...