Leeds United supporter mischief, Struijk's Summerville gesture and off-camera West Ham moments — YEP 25/5/26

By Graham Smyth

Leeds United's fine Premier League campaign ended with a whimper at relegated West Ham United.

Daniel Farke described the 3-0 defeat at London Stadium as a 'game too far' without key players, despite welcoming back Pascal Struijk and Jayden Bogle from their respective injuries. The Whites wilted in the intense heat and though the Hammers ran out victorious, time ran out on their stint in the top flight.Here's the YEP take.

Good day

Jaka Bijol. The Slovenian was the best of the bunch against West Ham and defended his box with the usual gusto. Few others matched his reliability all afternoon. It was only 1-0 when he went off.

Travelling fans. The mood was relaxed en route to the capital and it was largely a party atmosphere in the away section throughout. They poked fun at their soon-to-be-relegated rivals all afternoon and enjoyed themselves in the sun. The relentless chants listing West Ham’s 2026/27 opposition were as merciless as they were amusing. At full-time they saluted the players for a job done, even if the performance was a desperately poor one.

Bad day

Leeds United. There haven't been many of those since November, have there? The final day was a chance to move up a place or two and in the end 12th was possible, had they won. That would have generated a bit more cash for the club and extended the unbeaten streak, but it wasn't to be. Fourteenth is an impressive finish and one to be proud of but there's no doubt Farke and captain Ethan Ampadu were desperate to end on a high note.

Brenden Aaronson. The American really struggled to make things happen in the final third and his decision-making was largely at fault. When a shot appeared to be on, in a glorious position, he opted to turn back and look for a free-kick. When he did get shots away they were tame. And he lost out in a 50:50 shoulder challenge with the similarly-sized Crysencio Summerville as another promising attack came to an end.

Joe Rodon. A player Leeds can and have relied upon in the air on so many occasions, he didn't get off the ground as West Ham scored from a corner. It wasn't his best performance in any regard and uncharacteristic given his steadiness in the Premier League this season.

The West Ham United board. As is so often the case when a team is heading out of a division, the board heard all about it from the home fans. It wasn't really until the team went ahead that there was wholesale anger directed towards the directors' box but that is how London Stadium responded to each of their team's goals.

Off-camera moments

Former Underworld man and Hammers fan Darren Emmerson DJing the warm-up.

Facundo Buonanotte trying and failing to get Lucas Perri to move from a position of peril stood next to the post as the loanee shaped to take pot shots at the end of the warm-up. The Brazilian is well used to having footballs flying at him.

Leeds fans joining in with the applause for Hammers lost over the past year, as their pictures flashed up on the big screens. A huge cheer went up as Billy Bonds' image bookended the tribute.

Ampadu and referee Anthony Taylor enjoying a little cuddle and chat while they waited for Jarrod Bowen to join them in the centre circle.

Ampadu making mischief by suggesting Hammers sub Callum Wilson was impeding him from a run up for a long throw, standing in such a position to make it almost true. The Leeds skipper was then screaming at the referee after being denied a decision, their earlier tenderness long forgotten.

The stadium announcer gamely or insanely attempting to get the crowd to cheer for Emmerson's half-time DJ set, with West Ham heading into the Championship.

Ampadu checking on the welfare of Summerville on the touchline before the pair returned to the pitch having both had treatment following a collision.

West Ham fans reacting to both of their first two goals with anger directed at the board and David Sullivan.

Dominic Calvert-Lewin throwing an arm around a downcast-looking Bogle as they trooped off towards the dressing room.

Struijk making a beeline for Summerville after the Leeds squad had their moment with the away fans and putting a consolatory arm around his ex-team-mate. It was a gesture of solidarity that others in the Leeds side had offered up at full-time.

A pair of young West Ham fans chanting 'no VAR' as they exited the stadium, anticipating a Championship return.