Premier League: Leeds hold Hammers, Forest sink Saints

Rodrigo salvaged a point for Leeds as a see-saw battle with fellow Premier League strugglers West Ham ended 2-2 at Elland Road.

The Spanish forward rifled home his 10th league goal of the season midway through the second half to deny West Ham a much-needed victory.

The Hammers were on course for their first league win since October after quickfire goals either side of the break – via Lucas Paqueta's penalty and a Gianluca Scamacca strike – had cancelled out Wilfried Gnonto’s opener.

Both sides wore black armbands as a mark of respect for West Ham’s joint-chairman David Gold, who died on Wednesday morning aged 86, while there was also a minute’s applause before kick-off.

The Hammers were bidding to halt a rotten run of form after five straight league defeats but they were soon back-pedalling.

Leeds were also a team in need of a lift after taking one point from their previous three matches and inspiration was provided by Gnonto in the 28th minute.

The Italian teenager combined with Crysencio Summerville on the edge of the area to put Leeds ahead, slamming a low shot inside Lukasz Fabianski’s near post for his first goal in English football.

West Ham almost responded through Pablo Fornals, who rolled a golden chance agonisingly wide before the Paqueta lashed a VAR-highlighted spot kick into Meslier’s top left-hand corner for his first West Ham goal.

The visitors struck within moments of the second half to make it 2-1. Leeds midfielder Brenden Aaronson’s careless mis-placed pass found Scamacca and the Italian curled a superb low shot in off a post from 25 yards.

The home side huffed and puffed in a bid to get back on level terms and did so in the 70th minute. Substitute Jack Harrison teed up Rodrigo on the edge of the box and the