The Hammers’ safety was mathematically confirmed after Everton’s draw on Saturday, and Leeds came out fighting at London Stadium in an effort to aid their continuing relegation battle.
Having already seen Jack Harrison’s volley saved, Allardyce’s side capitalised on sloppy defending in the 17th minute, when Weston McKennie’s long throw floated through the box and was emphatically smashed in by Rodrigo for the Spaniard’s second goal in his last three games.
Leeds showed plenty of determination to keep their lead intact, with Joel Robles denying Tomas Soucek’s shot from point-blank range.
That only got them to the half-hour mark though, as a move beautifully orchestrated by Pablo Fornals culminated in Jarrod Bowen setting up Hammer of the Year Declan Rice for a goal on what could be his last home game for West Ham.
There was an added blow as Patrick Bamford went off injured after the equaliser, and his replacement Wilfried Gnonto made a complete mess of an opportunity carved out by Rodrigo in the final moments of the first half.
Lucas Paqueta provided inspiration as West Ham got off to a strong start in the second period, but saw his ambitious strike palmed away well by Robles.
Harrison created an opportunity for Leeds before the hour but it came to nothing as McKennie took the ball off Gnonto’s head and could only conjure an awkward effort.
West Ham’s dominance continued, and Bowen just about kept himself onside as he latched onto Danny Ings’ pass and provided a delicate finish that went in off the post to put the Hammers ahead.
Any hope of a Leeds equaliser was extinguished in the final minutes, when Paqueta danced through the faltering men in white to tee up Manuel Lanzini for the Argentine’s first league goal of the season, as Leeds suffered their sixth defeat in the last eight, remaining in the relegation zone with just one more match left to save themselves.
West Ham are in a far better situation, having won four of their last five in all competitions as they look forward to the UEFA Europa Conference League final.
Flashscore Man of the Match: Lucas Paqueta (West Ham United)
