Croatia international Nikola Vlasic was named in the starting XI for the FA Cup third round clash between his West Ham United side and Leeds United. West Ham United played hosts to the Whites at the London Stadium with a place in the fourth round up for grabs. Croatia national team star Vlasic started the game on the left side of the attacking midfield trio behind central striker Michail Antonio. The other two attacking midfielders were Argentine player Manuel Lanzini and Englishman Jarrod Bowen.

The FA Cup third round clash between West Ham United and Leeds United was an even contest until the hosts took the lead through the aforementioned Lanzini in the 34^th minute. He capitalised on uncertain defending in the Leeds United ranks to give his team the lead. His goal was enough to give the Hammers a slender lead at the interval.

Leeds United manager Marcelo Bielsa had kept star player Raphinha on the bench for the game and the Brazilian international was introduced into the game at the start of the second half alongside Northern Ireland international Stuart Dallas.

The Whites were boosted in quality by the introduction of both Dallas and Raphinha but they didn’t threaten the West Ham goal until the final minutes of the game. The Hammers were able to withstand the pressure before they wrapped up the game in stoppage time through Bowen off the assist from Jamaican international Antonio.

Croatia star Vlasic played 88 minutes of the game before he was replaced by left-back Arthur Masuaku. Bowen had not scored the clinching goal before he was subbed off.

Vlasic is in his first season at West Ham United following his big money transfer from Russian Premier League giants CSKA Moscow. The Hammers paid around £30m to sign him from CSKA Moscow last summer.