United On Fire

West Ham 2 (A Ferdinand 77, Upson 82) Manchester United 1 (Ronaldo 14)

A very below par performance, a missed penalty and a history of bad results at Upton Park combined together to make United’s third defeat of the season.

Mostly this game was all about how well West Ham played. I have a particular dislike for the Happy Hammers dating back to 1992 when a particularly poor West Ham side beat us to stop us winning the league that season. They raised their game (like many teams since) simply because we were Man United and that seems to be the case again today. They were the better team, but where was that team for the rest of this season. In their last home game, they could only draw against 10 men Reading (and it’s not like it’s hard to score against Reading).

Against the run of play, Manchester United took the lead. Giggs crossed, and Ronaldo proved he was a good header of the ball once again. Before this, United had had their post rattled but the goal didn’t seem to inspire United to finish the game off like they usually do.

However, in the second half they had that chance when Spector needlessly handled in the area. Ronaldo stepped up and, perhaps having lived in England for slightly too long, put the ball wide. This proved to be the spur for West Ham to push on and get the equalizer and the game saw three headed goals as both West Ham centre backs Anton Ferdinand and Matthew Upson scored from a corner and freekick respectively. It was no more than West Ham deserved. I bet they want to play us every week. On New Year’s Day they play Arsenal and will probably capitulate 5-0.

As Arsenal won, United won’t finish the year on top of the table, but as I said when we were top it doesn’t matter much in December, just that you are there in the race so you have a chance in May.

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