BUBBLE BURST
Big Sam’s escape act in trouble as Irons inflict a hammer blow
GOODBYE, Leeds – when it boiled down to win or bust, they summoned as much passion as a hen night in a convent.
Manager Sam Allardyce ordered the cavalry for what he billed as a cup final. All he got was majorettes twirling their batons.
Fireman Sam’s rescue act is not yet mathematically doomed but nothing less than a victory against Tottenham on Sunday will be enough to cheat the hangman – and the gallows are ready.
West Ham, who were entitled to be giddy with excitement after reaching their first European final in 47 years fewer than 72 hours earlier, we can deal with summarily.
They signed off at home for the season with commendable professionalism.
Leeds, though, deserve more forensic analysis because they squandered a dream start and turned it into a craven surrender.
There will be few tears shed in bubble-blowing heartlands if Allardyce’s latest survival mission falls short. Although he guided West Ham back into the top flight at the first time of asking 11 years ago, Eastenders never took Big Sam to their hearts.
But it looked like he could return to haunt the Hammers when Leeds surged in front after 17 minutes.
Weston McKennie launched a long throw towards the penalty spot and Rodrigo met it with a sweet volley for his 15th goal of the season.
The lead lasted just 14 minutes, however. From Pablo Fornals’ clever scoop and Jarrod Bowen’s cross, Declan Rice, below, arrived at the far post to volley the equaliser beyond Joel Robles.
This was almost certainly Rice’s farewell home appearance in claret and blue after 242 games, with a £100million-plus move to Arsenal likely to occupy his summer. Reflecting on the dichotomy of a relegation battle and reaching a European final in the same season, the England midfielder said: “I’ve aged about 10 years – it’s been so stressful.
“But as the game went on we completely dominated and we could have had six or seven. We were just wasteful with chances.”
Striker Patrick Bamford retired hurt shortly after Rice’s goal.
Leeds’ response to adversity was woeful and the Hammers took full advantage. Danny Ings rolled a lovely reverse pass into Bowen’s path for the England winger to score his 12th of the season off the far post.
And Big Sam’s goose was cooked when Lucas Paqueta wriggled to the deadball line and substitute Manuel Lanzini did the rest.
WEST HAM (4-2-3-1): Fabianski 6; Coufal 7, Zouma 6 (Kehrer 46, 6), Ogbonna 7, Emerson 6; Rice 8, Soucek 6; Bowen 7 (Lanzini 84), Paqueta 7, Fornals 7 (Johnson 90); Ings 6 (Mubama 90). Goals: Rice 31, Bowen 72, Lanzini 90.
LEEDS (4-4-2): Robles 6; Ayling 6, Kristensen 5, Wober 5, Struijk 5 (Greenwood 84); McKennie 5 (Roca 84), Koch 5, Forshaw 6 (Aaronson 62), Harrison 6 (Summerville 62, 5); Rodrigo 6, Bamford 5 (Gnonto, 34, 4). Goal: Rodrigo 17.