Jack Harrison's first career hat-trick was enough to give Leeds the victory over West Ham United at the London Stadium.
The Whites started confidently and took a tenth minute lead as Harrison drove the ball into the corner after a touch back from Adam Forshaw. However, Forshaw and Junior Firpo went off injured soon after the 20th minute, with Lewis Bate and Leo Hjelde coming on for the Premier League debuts.
West Ham sensed blood and came back to equalise shortly after. Leeds weren't lying down though, as Harrison scored again just minutes later.
The Hammers equalised again early in the second half and perhaps it looked as if they'd go on to win but again Leeds took the lead as Harrison dinked the ball over Lukasz Fabianksi after a Raphinha pass. This time the saw out the victory and it was only VAR that denied them a bigger margin for victory after a Mateusz Klich goal was ruled out.
Here is what the national media have been saying about the quality of Leeds' performance:
Daily Mail
The Daily Mail focused on the fact that Leeds' squad was crippled by injury and they played on, despite clubs elsewhere postponing games due to absences.
"Some teams find comfort and solutions in weak rules. Fair enough, if cheap postponements work for you. But how much more satisfying it is to see one mining gold out of a mountain of muck.
"What magic they [Leeds] found with so little space between their backs and the wall."
They described Harrison as 'the star, in a conventional sense' but the focus was on the Leeds performance as a collective:
"It isn't something we have seen much of in this difficult second season, but when it works, when the complexity of Marcelo Bielsa's thoughts are transmitted through his players, they really are excellent. A buzz of energy and motion and weird geometry."
It was said to be their 'best performance of the season'.
Daily Telegraph
Again, the main narrative in the Telegraph was how Leeds responded to their own absences in comparison to teams like Arsenal postponing games with one covid case.
"Once again the issue of Premier League postponements came to the fore but while David Moyes complained of fatigue, after a midweek fixture was shoehorned into West Ham’s schedule, Leeds United just got on with their chronic lack of players and reaped the reward.
"That they performed so remarkably was testament to their belief, Bielsa’s coaching and the desire to gain the points to pull themselves clear of relegation."
Speaking of Leeds' excellent start, which set the tone for a game described as 'full throttle', the writer said that they 'tore into West Ham from the start.'
Guardian
"This wildly entertaining contest was a good advert for playing on," said the Guardian.
"Although Leeds United were in danger of having to ask one of their supporters to come on and make up the numbers during this riotous 3-2 win over West Ham, they have set the standard for the rest of the Premier League. Cry off because of injuries? Not likely with Marcelo Bielsa in charge."
It was noted that whilst Leeds' performance was excellent, they did offer up some big chances to their opponents.
"They [Leeds] often diced with danger, especially when Jarrod Bowen almost snatched a late point for West Ham, but there could be no disputing that the right team won. Bielsa’s ferocious pressing game set the tone and the hard running was accompanied by a cutting edge, Raphinha repeatedly carving West Ham apart and Jack Harrison grabbing the limelight with the first hat-trick of his career."
Sky Sports
Leeds' win was a 'breath-taking victory' according to Sky Sports.
The same focus was on Leeds' crippled squad and the fact Bielsa's side "could have buckled after Fornals' well-taken equaliser [to make it 2-2".
There was also a highlight on the performance of Harrison:
"The 25-year-old has been a little slow to get going this term having scored eight league goals last season and only broke his duck this time around in the recent 3-1 win over Burnley, but he has rediscovered his scoring touch."
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