Sunday, December 30, 2007

United Rues Missed Penalty (West Ham United 2 - Manchester United 1)

Upton Park has been a poor hunting ground for United in recent years and today's result just adds to the mystic. For some unknown reason we're just not able to beat the Hammers.

West Ham started the brighter of the two teams and should have had the lead in the opening 10 minutes. Mullins struck the post and Noble could not put the rebound into the empty net. It could have proven fatal as minutes later Ronaldo opened the scoring from a quick counter on the 14th minute.

A good pass from Saha allowed Giggs the time and space to pick a surging Ronaldo from the left flank. Ronaldo flew in and header the ball into the goal giving United the lead.

Given the quality United had put on the pitch, it should have been an easy victory, but neither Fletcher nor Hargreaves could stamp their authority in the centre of the park. Mullins, Parker and Noble were outstanding and West Ham controlled a good portion of the midfield and 50/50 balls. The truth was that West Ham should have drawn level on a number of occasions had it not been for some inspired keeping from Kuszczak to keep Solano's thunderbolt out and some poor finishing from Charlton Cole.

In the second half, United won a penalty when ex-United player, Spector handled the ball in the area. Ronaldo, who has been in fine goal-scoring form, fired the ball wide. It was a pivotal moment in the game. A 2-0 lead would have completely taken the air off West Ham. Instead the miss inspired West Ham to come forward in search for an equalizer.

And equalize they did. On the 77th minute, substitute Anton Ferdinard climbed above the United defenders to head home the equalizer. 5 minutes later, Matthew Upson completed the come from behind victory with yet another header.

The truth was that West Ham deserved the victory. They fought harder and had wanted the win more. It was a lacklustre and disappointing display from our lads. We simply had no answer as the Hammers dominated midfield. They were the better team on the day.

Looks like Fergie will not be having a very happy birthday this year, especially if Arsenal manage to bring home 3 points against Everton later in the night. One thing's for sure, I won't wanna be Birmingham come New Year's Day. They are going to be facing a very pissed off United.

3 comments:

Anonymous said...

This time again it was a penalty decider will you still think that this one too is a lucky one.A penalty miss was all that seperate UNited from a deserving win to a dreadful loss.
But i guess a penalty is always luck for U. :P

Happy NEW YEAR DUDE AND Keep rocking with your flawless posts.

Anonymous said...

good game though... Thoroughly entertaining i thought. I reckon any hammers fans who were brave enough to enter into a bit of football betting on saturday will be starting the new year wealthy people! big up the underdog

spectre said...

@drvynum
'But i guess a penalty is always luck for U'

Dunno where the hell that came from. Either my written English sucks or your comprehension skills need polishing. I'll be kind and assume that English is not your mother tongue.

@bet on football
I'll let it pass this time and assume you're genuinely here to talk football instead of spamming a sportbook.

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