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William Jackson

Bamford uncertainty, McKennie booed and Rodrigo as Leeds United's survival hopes take huge hit

Leeds United need a miracle on the final Premier League weekend if they're to survive after losing 3-1 against West Ham United at the London Stadium.

Here are the winners and losers.

Winners

Rodrigo

The Spaniard has been Leeds’ chief goal threat this season and Sunday afternoon’s outing was no different as he notched his 15th goal in all competitions. He took it well, too, taking Weston McKennie’s long throw-in on first time with an inch-perfect volley to find the back of the net.

Read more: West Ham 3-1 Leeds United highlights

That set Leeds on the right path in east London but they were unable to capitalise on it and they lacked the ability needed to cope with the Hammers' response to going behind. Rodrigo moved into the middle after Bamford’s first-half withdrawal, but, in truth, he never looked truly comfortable.

While Leeds have struggled for traction, it’s been Rodrigo’s best season in white by some distance and he could have a key role to play next week at Elland Road.

Everton

The Toffees were the biggest winners on the day as they approach the final weekend with a two-point cushion over the drop zone. They know a win on the final day will be enough to secure their spot in the Premier League for another season and relegate Leeds, but they might not need the three points.

Leeds can still survive, of course, but it’s not in their hands. They need to win on the final day against Tottenham and hope for a huge, huge favour from Bournemouth at Goodison Park.

United also need Leicester to fall short in their final two games against Newcastle United and West Ham.

Losers

Patrick Bamford

The striker will have been determined to play well at the London Stadium and bring an end to his poor form of late. He started well getting behind the West Ham line on two or three occasions and carving out opportunities for himself and others.

However, he appeared to be moving awkwardly at around the half an hour mark and while the Hammers were celebrating Declan Rice’s equalising effort, Bamford was forced off the field through injury. It wasn’t a change Allardyce will have wanted to make, given how important the striker is to his plans and it remains to be seen if he’ll be fit for the final day.

Leeds United

There’s no doubt about it, now. Leeds are staring down the barrel of relegation and they’ve left themselves needing a miracle on the last day if they’re to survive.

Play like they did on Sunday next week against Tottenham, though, and the Whites may as well kiss goodbye to their top-flight status now. They lacked the fight, composure and know-how to capitalise on their fine start at the London Stadium and the longer the game went on, the more they struggled to find a way back into the contest.

It’s not over until it’s over, but even a win next week against Spurs might not save them.

Weston McKennie

The American picked up an assist in the capital with his long throw being diverted home by Rodrigo, but it can’t be said that he performed well. In fact, he was probably one of the worst players on the park as he continues to underperform in White.

No one played well for Leeds, but McKennie really struggled to get a foothold, in a week in which he was linked with a number of Premier League clubs. Fans have notably reached the end of their tether with the midfielder and the away end booed him off the field when he was replaced in the closing minutes of the game.

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