Bettor.com analyzes the proceedings at Old Trafford, in which the Red Devils pipped the Hammers to a narrow 1-0 win.
With victory against QPR secured in emphatic fashion, Sir Alex Ferguson turned his brilliant mind to old friend Sam Allardyce’s visit and named a strong line-up to match the Londoner’s impressive run of form.
Considering the weekend tie with Reading and upcoming clash with http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Paul-Scholes-c29394 some much needed rest.
http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Anderson-c5565 made only his second start of the campaign but with a superb cameo against the R’s, the Brazilian was in fine form as the Reds made short work of the opposing defence.
Within 33 seconds of the game, http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Jussi-Jääskeläinen-c20137 comfortably. The goalkeeper on the other hand could do little about the cruel intervention and saw the ball
glide over him and into the goal.
Things continued similarly, with Rafael in particular, causing havoc down the flanks. However, going into the break, United were only marginally ahead and needed to seal three points with another goal to their name.
Fergie made no significant changes in the remaining 45 minutes, but saw in-form man Van Persie come quite close to doubling his tally with a stinging free kick.
Jaaskelainen’s goal was being compounded by the onslaught of attacks from the 19-time English champions, but even Anderson’s perfectly placed pass to http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Wayne-Rooney-c36736 wasn’t able to increase the hosts’ lead, as the Englishman’s effort was thwarted by his opposing
number.
http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Anders-Lindegaard-c5553 had little to do during the 90 minutes, but was there when United needed him and made a crucial save to deny Carlton Cole late on.
Far from their very best, Sir http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Alex-c4752 Ferguson’s troops did not look convincing but a clean sheet alongside three points were more than enough to please the tactician, who has seen his side succumb to early goals on more than eight occasions this term.
Nonetheless, Fergie was pleased with how his defence coped with the threat of Andy Carroll, who was tightly marked by http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Jonny-Evans-c19085 throughout the game and outmuscled on nearly every occasion.
"West Ham are renowned for making it difficult for you. They’re a very dogged team to break down. But we got a great start and I thought from there we could have pushed on. Some of our football was very good at times, but we never finished them off,” said
the coach.
Continuing, he added that Smalling has had a late crisis with injuries, but looks back to his best alongside his Irish counter-part and that the whole backline including Rafael were imperative in keeping West Ham’s attack at bay.
"I thought http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Chris-c9006 Smalling did very well having just come into the team after a long absence with injury. Jonny Evans was magnificent and Rafael Da Silva was fantastic, absolutely terrific. So we do have plus points tonight, particularly defending. You have
to against them because you have to against them because they're such a handful,” the long-serving Manchester United boss was quoted as saying to the media after the game.
The Reds now take on Reading on the weekend, before facing Cluj in the UEFA Champions League next week.
Disclaimer: The views and opinions expressed in this article are the writer's own and do not reflect the official editorial policy of Bettor.com.
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