Manchester United 1-0 West Ham United
It was sheer elation for one side, sheer deflation for another, sheer drama in the Premier League.
In one way it was hard not to feel some sympathy for West Ham who seemed on course and good value for a point.
That is until Marcus Rashford scored the winner in the final minute of stoppage time, the importance of which will not be underestimated should Manchester United claim a top four spot at the end of the season.
To their credit, the goal spoke volumes for the character and togetherness of the home side (publicly questioned very recently) and highlighted how small the differences can be in top level football – only minutes earlier, David de Gea had made a super save to deny West Ham in a match of few opportunities.
Highlights of the game
There was just one alteration to the Manchester United side from the somewhat fortunate midweek win over Brentford.
Victor Lindelof was given leave after a burglary at his house, so Harry Maguire returned to captain the team. Jadon Sancho was also absent due to personal reasons, with Paul Pogba, Luke Shaw and Aaron Wan-Bissaka among the others unavailable.
The hosts were boosted with Cristiano Ronaldo and Scott McTominay passing fitness tests.
West Ham boss David Moyes made three changes from the side which lost to Leeds United in a thriller last Sunday.
That included a start in goal for Alphonse Areola at the expense of Lucasz Fabianski, while Issa Diop and Nikola Vlasic dropped to the bench to be replaced by Tomas Soucek and Kurt Zouma.
Club captain Mark Noble was on the bench following a knee injury.
Only leaders Manchester City and European champions Chelsea have won away from home more times this season than West Ham which gave an indication of the fine job Moyes is progressing in the east end of London.
Indeed, the Hammers had already won at Old Trafford this season in the League Cup – a result I considered to be the beginning of the end for Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s reign at United – three days after a dramatic conclusion to their league encounter in east London, and another close contest was anticipated.
The home side impressed early on with their pace and intensity, as did West Ham when they had possession, although both teams were alert defensively to prevent any clear-cut opportunities.
Nineteen minutes had elapsed when a superb ball from Bruno Fernandes was inches away from being met by his Portuguese compatriot Ronaldo.
That was the only real chance of an entertaining opening 45 minutes.
Early in the second half, Fred tested Areola, Jarrod Bowen hit into the side netting and Rafael Varane headed over but no breakthrough was forthcoming.
With time ticking, interim manager Ralf Rangnick sent on Edinson Cavani and Anthony Martial to join the already-arrived Rashford.
Yet West Ham twice went close as Soucek ficked a corner inches past the post before a cross from sub Ryan Fredericks was deflected by Martial and stopped by de Gea to prevent it creeping in at the near post.
Then, in the final of three minutes of stoppage time, a moment which will rank among United’s Premier League highlights so far this term.
Just as the SBOTOP Premier League betting odds were about to pay out on a goalless draw, Fernandes found Ronaldo who kept his composure to pass to Martial.
The Frenchman waited for the run of Cavani – just onside – and his cut-back was tapped home by Rashford from a yard out as Old Trafford erupted.
How important could that be.
Key statistics
This was the fourth time Rashford has netted a winning goal in the 90th-minute or later in the Premier League, at least twice as many as any other Man Utd player.
United have triumphed in 21 of their 26 Premier League home games versus the Hammers and are unbeaten in 14 against them at Old Trafford since a 1-0 defeat in May 2007 (by which time they had already been crowned champions).
West Ham have won just seven of their 52 Premier League clashes with United.
They have failed to score multiple goals in each of their past 36 away games versus United in all competitions since a 3-2 top-flight victory in August 1986.
David Moyes is winless in each of his last 45 Premier League away games as a manager against the established big six clubs since his Everton side won 2-1 at Manchester City in December 2010.
What’s next?
An almost fortnight-long break now awaits both clubs.
United are back in action at home to Championship side Middlesbrough in the fourth round of the FA Cup on February 4 and then travel to Burnley in the top flight four days later.
West Ham take on giantkillers Kidderminster in the FA Cup the following lunchtime and then entertain strugglers Watford on February 8.
●●●
CHECK OUT OUR BLOG FOR MORE FOOTBALL STORIES & ODDS
Stay updated with everything sports and betting.
Follow us on social Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and YouTube.
