Manchester United 1-0 West Ham United
Ahead of this Sunday evening Premier League encounter, I had suggested this may be West Ham’s best chance to win at Old Trafford for the first time in 13 years.
Certainly, they were a side in form, winning 26 points from their past 12 games (five more than United) with their tally of 48 points after 27 league fixtures actually double the amount they had at this stage last season. Their latest success came against Leeds United at the beginning of the week.
They were also taking on a Manchester United side who had largely stuttered of late in the league – a fine derby win last weekend aside.
Highlights of the game
The only major team news for either side saw Marcus Rashford pass a fitness test for the hosts, welcome news for them with Edinson Cavani and Anthony Martial already out through injury.
If that was a slight surprise, there was no surprise to the shape the match took as West Ham seemed happy to sit deep and allow United possession, while offering a threat on the counter-attack – a bit like in the FA Cup fifth-round meeting between the sides last month.
That meant that, while both sides threatened to create an opportunity, there weren’t too many Premier League 2021 highlights – indeed the first clear chance didn’t arrive until the 25th minute as the unmarked Rashford met a fine cross from young Mason Greenwood but timed his header all wrong and made little contact, much to his frustration.
The youngster was involved again seven minutes before the break as a fast throw-out from goalkeeper Dean Henderson sparked a quick home attack.
Bruno Fernandes played in Greenwood, who sprinted into the penalty area before rifling a low shot that looked destined for the net until Lukasz Fabianski superbly touched the ball onto the post.
It seemed quite clear the opening goal, if there was to be one, would be crucial with one decisive piece of play or a mistake arguably proving key.
It proved to be the latter eight minutes after the restart as the unfortunate Craig Dawson – who has impressed me both this season after also shining in the Championship – inadvertently headed into his own net after Scott McTominay glanced a header towards goal from a corner.
The goal seemed to spur West Ham into becoming more of an attacking force. Although, it took another excellent stop from Fabianski, parrying a Fernandes strike from the edge of the penalty area, to prevent the hosts quickly doubling their lead.
West Ham, though, can always be dangerous when Michail Antonio leads their line and were definitely more of a menace in the final third as boss David Moyes signalled his intent by introducing Said Benrahma and Manuel Lanzini into the action.
The outcome was in the balance and it remained that way after the lively Greenwood was unlucky to see a shot come off the post 13 minutes from time.
Back at the other end and it took a fine block from Harry Maguire to stop a goal-bound Tomas Soucek shot.
Some of the home side’s virtual ever-presents looked understandably tired in the closing stages but kept going and their reward, as predicted by the SBOTOP Premier League 2021 betting odds, was a third victory of the season over the Hammers.
A year on since Covid-19 hit the game, tonight was another reminder of the predicament facing football clubs, even the big ones, with United losing a reported £5 million in revenue every home match that is played without fans.
That even recently prompted the club to take out a £60 million loan.
The financial lure of the Champions League has never been more important.
Key statistics
United have completed their first league double over West Ham since 2013-14, when they were managed by Moyes.
They are also unbeaten in 13 matches in all competitions, winning six and drawing seven and have lost only one of their past 23 Premier League games, winning 14 and drawing eight.
This is the first time under Ole Gunnar Solskjaer that United have kept four consecutive league clean sheets.
West Ham are winless in their past 13 Premier League trips to Old Trafford, drawing three and losing 10.
Moyes is yet to win a game at Old Trafford as an away manager in 15 attempts, drawing four and losing 11 in all competitions.
What’s next?
United travel to Italy next for the second leg of their Europa League last 16 tie with AC Milan followed by an FA Cup quarter-final at Leicester City on Sunday.
West Ham entertain Arsenal in the Premier League next Saturday (March 21) in their final match before a two-week international break.
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