Manchester United 0-1 West Ham United
West Ham United executed a classic smash and grab at Old Trafford tonight to reach the last 16 of the Carabao Cup, and send Manchester United packing.
This match, Carabao Cup: Manchester United vs West Ham, was a replay of a hard-fought Premier League clash on Sunday when the Red Devils edged a win to take them joint top of the league. But Manuel Lanzini had the freedom of the penalty area when he fired the Hammers into an early lead and that was enough as the visitors defended brilliantly for over 80 minutes.
Highlights of the game
Following their dramatic loss to Manchester United on Sunday, the Hammers were out for revenge and they set about their hosts with real intent. Before the whole of the 70,000 crowd had taken their seats Andriy Yarmolenko burst through a challenge from Alex Telles and pulled the ball back for Jarrod Bowen who fired just wide. Then Alex Kral had a shot that ricocheted off Eric Bailly and behind.
Keeper David de Gea’s heroics gave the Red Devils three points at the London Stadium at the weekend, but tonight he gave way to Dean Henderson who conceded a goal with fewer than ten minutes on the clock. Ryan Fredericks got to the bi-line and pulled the ball back for Manuel Lanzini who had all the space he needed to sweep the ball home, giving Manchester United’s Number Two no chance. The pre-match Manchester United vs West Ham betting odds pitched the Red Devils heavily odds on to win the game but that early Hammers strike levelled things up.
The goal prompted an immediate response from the hosts and Juan Mata came close when he saw his angled drive crash back off the crossbar. Then West Ham keeper Alphonse Areola was stretched when Anthon Martial shot from a tight angle, but he managed to deflect the ball away to safety. Jesse Lingard, on loan to West Ham last season was in lively form, feeding Donny van de Beek but the Dutchman’s aim was off target, and then Areola had to stretch to palm away a drive from Lingard.
Manchester United started the second half on the front foot but when Mata put Jadon Sancho through he lobbed his shot over the bar. Then substitute Mason Greenwood latched on to a long through ball and forced Areola into a brave save and, as the hosts continued to press Lingard fired in a fierce shot which Areola caught.
With time running out the hosts brought Bruno Fernandes on, and he fired a fierce drive inches wide with Areola beaten. But for all Manchester United’s attacking intent, the West Ham centre back pairing of Craig Dawson and Issa Diop stood firm, while Areola was a reassuring presence behind them, saving again at his near post when Greenwood fired a low shot in.
While the Red wave kept on coming West Ham found it hard to get out of their own half, but as the game became more stretched they had two golden chances to finish the match. Firstly, Yarmolenko rounded the keeper but with the goal gaping his shot hit the post. Then on a fast breakaway, with a two on one advantage, Mark Noble was presented with a clear shot on goal but he fired straight at Henderson.
With four minutes of added time, the home crowd roared the Red Devils on and the Hammers must have wondered if they would rue those two chances, but Yarmolenko made amends for his miss with a superb headed clearance to close the game.
Key statistics
The first half Manchester United vs West Ham highlights told a story of the Red Devils pressing to level after the Hammers had taken a ninth-minute lead. By halftime, the hosts had registered 13 shots to West Ham’s four and three to one on target, but they were playing catch up.
The trend continued and the eventual shot count saw Manchester United fire in 27 to the Hammers nine, and six to three on target. but the hosts couldn’t break through and almost lost by a bigger margin in the end.
What’s next?
Here at SBOTOP we’re looking forward to Manchester United’s next game, at home to Aston Villa. So look out for the previews, stats and the best odds which will be right here very soon. Then Ole Gunnar Solskjaer must prepare his team for the Champions League visit of Villarreal, made all the more difficult following their defeat to Young Boys of Switzerland last week. The Yellow Submarine opened their campaign with an entertaining 2-2 draw against Atalanta.
West Ham have a tough Premier League assignment away to Leeds on Saturday, and then they are in Europa League action at home to Rapid Wien. The Hammers started their group campaign with a 2-0 victory over Dinamo Zagreb, while Wien lost their opener to Genk.
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