Late Penalty Sees Hammers Beat Red Devils
It’s now back-to-back home wins for West Ham United, as they beat Manchester United 2-1 in Stratford on Sunday afternoon.
Julen Lopetegui made four changes to the starting line-up, as Łukasz Fabiański, Carlos Soler, Konstantinos Mavropanos and Edson Álvarez replaced Alphonse Areola, Jean-Clair Todibo, Tomáš Souček and the suspended Mohammed Kudus. Areola, Todibo, along with Souček dropped to the bench. Youngster Luis Guilherme was also included in the match day squad
The Red Devils dominated the first-half and looked like scoring every time they went forward but fatigue from Thursday’s trip to Turkey might have played a part in why they weren’t able to take any of the numerous chances they created. Bruno Fernandes and Alejandro Garnacho both hit the crossbar, while Rasmus Højlund, and Casemiro went close, only to be denied by the Pole.
Then came what was probably the miss of the season, even at this early stage!!! Diogo Dalot failed to put the ball into an empty net just after the half-hour mark.
On the other hand, West Ham just couldn’t get going and the best they could offer was when Lucas Paquetá sent his header onto the roof of the net at the other end.
Three changes were made for the home side before referee David Coote restarted the action, as Todibo, Souček and Crysencio Summerville replaced Mavropanos, Soler and Paquetá. The changes certainly had the desired impact as the Hammers showed a marked improvement at the start of the second-half, as both Jarrod Bowen and Michail Antonio tried their luck but unfortunately, the scores remained level. The Irons also survived yet again, whilst Garnacho failed to convert a cross from Marcus Rashford.
Fabiański came to his team’s rescue once more when Højlund tested him but the Pole once again proved that he was equal to everything that the visitors could throw at him.
Lopetegui’s men were beginning to turn the screw and saw Summerville, Aaron Wan-Bissaka produce promising efforts. Antonio then crossed the ball into the box twice but, on both occasions, neither Emerson Palmieri nor Max Kilman could apply the telling touch.
Shortly after, Antonio was replaced by Danny Ings. The striker then played his part in the hosts breaking the deadlock. A great team move involving Guido Rodríguez and Bowen and Ings resulted in Summerville notching his first goal for his new club, as visiting goalkeeper André Onana was finally beaten to the delight of the majority inside the stadium.
Erik ten Hag’s side were soon level as Casemiro sent his header past a helpless Fabiański.
With no more than two minutes of normal time remaining, a melee in the box caused Ings to fall. Although Matthijs de Ligt pleaded his innocence, the incident was looked at by VAR official Michael Oliver, who then advised Coote to review his original decision. After a lengthy check, on the pitchside monitor, he awarded the hosts a penalty which Bowen confidently thumped past Onana.
In an effort to try and help his team protect their advantage, Lopetegui sent on Aaron Cresswell in place of Rodríguez.
They did hold on, as the final whistle was blown. Onto The City Ground and Nottingham Forest on Saturday afternoon.