Robin van Persie was hoping to salute his 100th appearance in a red shirt (of the Manchester variety) with a goal most likely but a none-too-impressive start from Louis van Gaal’s men saw them hang on through the trusty hands of David De Gea. The Red Devil’s had to be gifted an opening from the home side, which could perhaps have proved a swan-‘song’ for Alex as a woeful back-pass almost found his former comrade lurking. The tides turned however, United’s shot-stopper mirroring a sloppy bit of defensive work at the other end before settling into the rhythm himself. Valencia (of the Hammers) denied not once but twice thanks to successive saves – palms then fingertips. The forward’s link up with Sakho was halted by a seemingly solid back four.
Corners were aplenty yet Marcos Rojo could not replicate Antonio Valencia’s well-timed tackle earlier and the number five made his way into the book. An uneventful stalemate –in terms of goals – was what the managers faced as they greeted their squad during the interval – Sam Allardyce a little more gleefully whilst our keeper may have been forced to the showers due to his involvement in the first half.
Despite putting his faith in the initial starting XI, the Reds’ inability to deal with the West Ham attacks allowed Kouyate the time on a turn to have a third time lucky touch, volleying and finding the back of the net. A goal which the first 45 minutes had been yearning for. Even a Manchester United fan cannot deny that was a deserved lead but frustrating nonetheless. Although, the Old Trafford natives looked to respond quickly and efficiently, our Netherlands international RvP found Tomkins behind his effort. West Ham made their intentions clear, Jenkinson looking to cushion the lead – inadvertently though – as his cross floated a whisker away from the far post.
Regardless of Di Maria and himself attempting to supply their strikers, the latter (Januzaj) exited the field of play for Fellaini. The Argentinian ace was the slightly more ineffectual moments later as his free-kick saw itself over the bar following Song’s trip. Making an instant impact, Fellaini was somewhat closer, tickling the roof of the net and instilling fear into the hosts as Adrian was forced to time waste and see a yellow for himself. Mark Clattenburg reached into his pocket twice more on account of Shaw and Rooney. The left-back’s yellow was unknowingly to foreshadow an end to his evening, a second bookable offence provoked an appearance for the red card.
Noble and United’s ever present Belgium midfielder were both foiled, a precious three points the only object on their minds. The Hammers’ goalie was powerless at Blind’s stoppage time equaliser, a player who should be brimming with confidence as a result of recent weeks, struck this half-clearance with real vengeance, stretching that left leg round his marker, hard into the ground and bouncing past Adrian. Finally! One point’s better than none I suppose?
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