Leeds United did something for the first time in 21 years against West Ham

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Leeds United did something for the first time in the Premier League in 21 years as they raced into an early lead against West Ham.

Elland Road was rocking after 15 minutes of Leeds’ Premier League relegation battle against West Ham, as goals from Brenden Aaronson and Joe Rodon gave the Whites an early lead.

Although Daniel Farke was made to sweat for the victory, after a late West Ham goal threatened to turn the result on its head, the victory opened up a sizeable gap between Leeds and their relegation rivals.

This was also the first time that Leeds had scored two goals in the first 15 minutes of a Premier League campaign since the 2003/04 season, as the club managed the tumultuous aftermath of the financial oblivion brought on during Peter Ridsdale’s time at the club.

Alan Smith was the hero on that day, as Leeds secured a similarly nervy win in their relegation battle against Leicester City. Farke will be optimistic that his side can avoid the same fate.

Leeds United achieved a 21-year first against West Ham

There was a very similar feel at Elland Road to Leeds’ win over West Ham in 2004, as Eddie Gray prepared his side for a battle against a key relegation rival under the lights.

The two games started in a remarkably similar manner, as an early double from Leeds appeared to have set them on the road for a comfortable victory.

Leeds’ first goal in 2004 was a header from a centre-back, as Michael Duberry ghosted clear in the penalty box to head home from a Seth Johnson cross after 11 minutes.

Two minutes later, Mark Viduka reacted fastest when Smith scuffed a shot in the penalty area, producing an acrobatic overhead kick to put Leeds 2-0 up and seemingly on the course for victory.

However, Leicester hit back with two quick-fire second-half goals through Paul Dickov and Muzzy Izzet, drawing the Foxes level.

But there was still time for one more dramatic twist. A young James Milner broke down the left for Leeds and produced a left-footed cross. This was chested down perfectly by Viduka for Smith to meet and fire home to send the Don Revie Stand into ecstasy.

The sting in the tail for Leeds came when Viduka received a late red for needlessly kicking the ball away. This meant he was suspended for a crucial part of the run-in as Leeds ultimately suffered relegation.

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Daniel Farke’s side are already well ahead of the 2003/04 Premier League campaign

There are plenty of warnings from history for Farke to prevent him from getting too far ahead of himself, even though Leeds have enjoyed a good start to the new season.

However, Leeds are already comfortably ahead of where they sat in the 2003/04 campaign after nine games, as Farke looks to steer his side away from trouble.

At the same stage of the 03/04 season, Leeds had managed just eight points, two wins, two draws and five defeats, having just fallen to a narrow 1-0 home defeat against Manchester United.

This defeat was the first of five consecutive losses that would see Leeds fall to the bottom of the table before they eventually claimed a win over Charlton in their 14th game of the season, by which stage Gray had returned to replace Peter Reid.

With a settled squad and none of the financial turmoil that surrounded Leeds that season, Farke is much better placed to guide his side to safety this season.