Leeds v West Ham (Danny Lawson/PA via AP) LEEDS: Nuno Espirito Santo became the first West Ham manager since 2018 to go winless in his first four games as his struggling side displayed the same defensive frailties that have plagued them all season in a 2-1 Premier League loss at Leeds on Friday. The Portuguese coach joined the Hammers a month ago after guiding Nottingham Forest to Europe but has failed to quickly turn things around in east London. He now has three losses and one draw since taking over, a record that equals Manuel Pellegrini’s when he took charge of the club in 2018. Off-field supporters have been voicing their displeasure with management, with thousands boycotting Monday night’s defeat at home to Brentford. The team defended poorly all season – conceding nine goals from corners, three more than any other side – leading to Graham Potter’s sacking. And after just 15 minutes in Leeds it was 2-0 thanks to again hesitant defending. Goalkeeper Alphonse Areola failed to keep out Noah Okafor’s header after three minutes and US international Brenden Aaronson pounced on his boot as the West Ham defenders looked on. The backline was just as sloppy 12 minutes later when Joe Rodon headed home from a corner with no problems. Mateus Fernandes’ clever last-minute header gave the Hammers a consolation goal, but an equalizer never looked likely. The win lifts Leeds to 13th place with 11 points, while West Ham are 19th with four points and the worst goal difference in the league. This point gain is the worst at this stage of the season. Only in the 1932-33 and 1973-74 campaigns did the Hammers start as badly as they do now. “We are in a real situation and we have to face reality,” West Ham captain Jarrod Bowen told Sky Sports. “You have to face the reality of where we are and we are in trouble now. “We have to go there and fight more than anything else. The Premier League is the hardest league. We are not playing well and we are not getting results. We have to change it. We are the only ones who can change it.”
