29/12/2007 16:10, Report by Ben Hibbs
Report: West Ham 2 United 1
United’s attempts to end 2007 on a high were scuppered by West Ham as Alan Curbishley’s side earned a third win in a row against the Reds.
Sir Alex Ferguson’s men took the lead through Cristiano Ronaldo in a scrappy and hard-fought game, and could have gone 2-0 had the Portuguese star converted a second-half penalty. With West Ham buoyed by Ronaldo’s miss, Curbishley’s side managed to snatch two goals and all three points. In truth, United were far from at their best and the Hammers were steeled to contain and frustrate. Unfortunately, their plan worked. But it could have been so different.
Carlos Tevez was given a rapturous reception from the Upton Park faithful before kick-off, a touching moment for a player who was instrumental in keeping the club up last season. Sir Alex observed the standing ovation at close quarters as he began the first of a two-game ban up in the stands.
United arrived in east London seeking a sixth league win in December, but had to go about business without Wayne Rooney, who was suffering from a virus. West Ham, too, were without their main striker. Dean Ashton was left on the bench by Curbishley, who preferred to pack his midfield with five players and let Carlton Cole lead the line on his own.
The tactics worked from the off as West Ham took control of the game. And with United not yet settled the Hammers very nearly scored inside the first ten minutes. A neat move on the edge of the area created space inside the box for Hayden Mullins, whose shot beat Tomasz Kuszczak but rebounded off the bar. Luckily for the Reds, Mark Noble - the goal at his
mercy - tried to place his finish but sent the ball high over the bar. A real let off for the Reds.
The Hammers' may have made the more positive opening, but in United’s ranks there is a player capable of scoring in any situation, at any time, and from anywhere on the pitch. Ronaldo’s 18th strike of the campaign, and 13th in the league, arrived after 14 minutes – this time a simple header. However, while the Portuguese winger should be lauded for his goalscoring capabilities, so too should Ryan Giggs, Louis Saha and Tevez for their part in the build-up play. Tevez held the ball up well before finding Saha, who arced a pass out to Giggs on the left, leaving the Welshman to chip a precision cross for Ronaldo to nod home. It was exquisite stuff and flipped the advantage in United’s favour.
The Reds had landed the first meaningful blow, but West Ham were far from out of the fight and United had to weather a storm before half time. Nolberto Solano went close with a 25-yard shot that Tomasz Kuszczak did well to tip over the bar. Then Evra had to clear Cole's effort off the line, before the West Ham forward powered a close-range header over the bar. United were clinging on.
West Ham started the second half as they had finished the first, putting United under pressure and refusing the Reds time and space to play. The match descended into a scrappy affair and United were being made to work to stay in front. Sir Alex responded by replacing Tevez with Anderson to boost numbers in midfield and try and wrest from West Ham control of the middle of the park.
Shortly afterwards, in the 66th
minute, United were gifted the chance to shore up the lead when former Reds defender Jonathan Spector handled the ball. It was debatable whether the misdemeanour took place in or out of the penalty area, but referee Mike Dean pointed to the spot. Up stepped Ronaldo, but suprisingly and frustratingly he fired his spot-kick a yard wide.
It proved costly. The Reds were made to pay for not taking the chance as West Ham’s persistence paid off. After a flurry of corners, substitute Anton Ferdinand rose highest to power his header past Kuszczak and level the scores with just over ten minutes remaining. Five minutes later the Hammers struck again. Noble whipped in a cross for Matthew Upson to loop a header into the top corner.
West Ham proved able to resist all of United’s late bombardment to come away as unfancied victors. But United must not be too disheartened. Despite the disappointment of defeat, the Reds can reflect on a year that has given Old Trafford one Premier League title and leaves the door well and truly door open to claim another in 2008.
United: Kuszczak; Brown (O’Shea 88), Ferdinand, Vidic, Evra; Ronaldo, Hargreaves (Nani 81), Fletcher, Giggs (c); Saha, Tevez (Anderson 65).
Subs not used: Heaton, Pique.
West Ham: Green; Neill (c), Spector, Upson, McCartney; Solano (Pantsil 49), Parker (A.Ferdinand 55), Noble, Mullins, Ljungberg (Ashton 70); Cole.
Subs not used: Wright, Camara.
Attendance: 34,966
|