It was the performance of a second choice left-back that secured the win against Manchester United for West Ham.
Goals from Andriy Yarmolenko and Aaron Cresswell saw West Ham clinch the win in a tentative game at the London Stadium.
The game started in tense fashion with both sides seeming edgy to play the ball and create chances. Manchester United, as expected, used the pace of Marcus Rashford and Daniel James to stretch the centre-back pairing of Angelo Ogbonna and Issa Diop, who seemed out of their depth earlier on. Despite having a greater amount of possession, United didn’t threaten the West Ham defence enough to cause concern.
At this stage, West Ham recognised Manchester United’s lack of killer instinct and start to play some positive football. Credit has to go to Andriy Yarmolenko and Felipe Anderson, who kept the ball well and released the full-backs to pin back United in the first half. However, little came of these attacks and it looked like both teams would go in even at half-time.
Andriy Yarmolenko had a different idea. Recieving a delicate dink over the top from Felipe Anderson, he jumped in front of the United centre-back and drilled it low to De Gea’s right. The Hammers would’ve taken big confidence from this.
Start of the second half and Solsjkaer had clearly given his version of the hairdryer treatment. United’s midfield look to press the issue and bring Rashford into play but after some resolute defending and decent goalkeeping display from Lukasz Fabianski, West Ham came back strong.
Special mention should go to Sebastian Haller, whose hold-up play is simple but really effective. Last season, West Ham repeatedly looked for Marko Arnautovic over the top and lost the ball in attack. Haller offers the opportunity to recycle the attack and release the wingers. It’s no accident Felipe Anderson and Andriy Yarmolenko have looked more consistent and involved this season.
As Manchester United withdrew from the game, misplacing passes and crosses, West Ham bought on Jack Wilshere to control possession and secure the win. He looked at ease the United midfield and won a free-kick twenty yards out in the 83rd minute. It was the man who has been widely criticised who stepped up and lofted it over David De Gea. A fantastic goal to cap a wonderful performance from Aaron Cresswell.
West Ham now see themselves in fourth position and have shown that they are serious contenders for European football this season. Let’s have a look at who were the real winners today…
