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| Rooney Scores The First Of His Three |
The amazing comeback victory not only increases United's lead at the top of the table to eight points over Arsenal, which have two games-in-hand, but it could also dent their London rival's aspirations.
Due to all of the injuries and illnesses that have been ravaging his squad for the last couple of months, Sir Alex Ferguson, who is serving the second of his five-match ban, made several surprise switches to his starting XI.
The manager made five changes from the United starting line-up that beat barely beat Bolton two weeks ago, and all those changes sprinkled throughout what should be a 4-5-1, which should match Hammers' formation.
Tomasz Kuszczak went in goal, Fabio was the replacement at right-back, Nemanja Vidic returned to anchor the heart of the United defense, Darron Gibson went into the center of midfield and Ji-Sung Park, who was making his first appearance in 2011 for the Reds, made the start on the left flank.
Recap
In their changed strip, it took United a couple of minutes before they could launch their first attack, and from a corner kick, Chris Smalling's header had to be palmed over by Robert Green, but the young center-back's second bit of the cherry did not have the same sort of accuracy.
In the 10th minute, West Ham hit the Reds on a counterattack when Carlton Cole raced forward, but his run was thwarted, illegally, by Patrice Evra's arm, so Lee Mason had no choice but to point to the spot. Mark Noble stepped up to take the resulting penalty, and the midfielder, who scored two spot kicks already this season, sent Kuszczak the wrong way to give West Ham the lead completely against the run of play.
United started putting the Irons on the back foot as they attacked them down both wings and it took three last ditch clearances by Manuel Da Costa to deny the Reds an equalizer.
In the 20th minute, Demba Ba was give a couple of yards of space, so the Hammers' January signing sent a low, bending shot that did not trouble Kuszczak at all.
Amazingly, four minutes later the referee, who just let off Thomas Hitzlsperger a few seconds earlier for a certain booking, gave West Ham another penalty after it looked like Vidic, clumsily, tackled Ba on the edge of the area. Kuszczak guessed the correct way this time, but Noble roofed his penalty into the top corner to give the Hammers a two goal lead.
In the 31st minute, Park had a glorious chance to pull a goal back for the Reds, but, the fit-again South Korean's left-footed drive was smacked directly at Green and he was able to force the ball over the bar.
Moments later, Gibson had his path run cynically cut off by Noble, and, with the referee not penalizing the West Ham player, the United midfielder kicked out and earned a yellow card.
Based on the two earlier decisions, United should have earned themselves a penalty after Matthew Upson denied the Reds with a clear hand ball.
In the 37th minute, after yet another United corner, Valencia, who has been wide open every time on the edge of the West Ham area on the set pieces, the winger smacked a powerful rising shot over Green's crossbar.
Four minutes later, Vidic was needlessly beaten by the pace of Ba, so he illegally barged him over, and the referee, finally, sided with common sense and just awarded him a yellow card. From the ensuing free-kick, Hitzlsperger, with his deadly left foot, spun the ball just wide of Kuszczak's left-hand post.
United completely dominated every single statistical category except the scoreline in the first half, but, as their title challengers, Arsenal, know all too well that is really the all one that matters. With a plethora of attacking options on the bench, Sir Alex, like he did against Bolton, should be making substitutions after halftime.
In a head scratcher, Javier Hernandez came on for Evra, who had a woeful first half, and the young Mexican almost made the perfect introduction. Attacking down the left, Giggs, who will fill in for the Frenchman at left-back, sent in a near post cross, which Chicharito nipped in front of his marker, but he was unable to get his flick on target.
A couple minutes later, Vidic was again beaten for pace by Ba, and he could have very easily received his marching orders, but, thankfully, Mason sided with fair common knowledge.
In the 53rd minute, Cole popped up on the left side of the United area, and with a couple of teammates waiting, he sent in a tame cross, however, Giggs was on hand to poke the ball out of a dangerous area.
Five minutes later, like he was consistently doing throughout the first half, Da Costa went through the back of Rooney, and, finally, Mason produce a yellow card for the Hammers center-back. From the resulting free-kick, United created a half-chance but when the ball fell to Smalling his first touch was too heavy and West Ham cleared their lines.
Carrick was upended by Noble and earned a free-kick for the Reds 25-yards from goal, which before United could take Dimitar Berbatov came on for a very ineffective Park. Once they were able to take the kick, Rooney expertly bent the ball around the wall and into Green's net.
The goal certainly seemed to inspire United and they had two very good chances to level the score, but Gibson's long-range shot was deflected out for a corner kick, and Carrick's near post flick was sent just over the Hammers' crossbar.
After seeing United make two positive changes, Avram Grant sent on Frederic Piquionne for Cole in a like-for-like substitution.
Berbatov absolutely roasted Da Costa on the left wing, but as he bore down on goal his angle was cut tight, however, he was still able to poke in a near post shot, which needed Green to be on his toes to palm out it for a corner.
United started to get even more possession, and their confidence to get the equalizer paid off. There was some very good interchange by Valencia and Fabio on the right flank, and the former sent a ball into Rooney, whose first touch allowed him to get passed Upson, and then smashed the ball into corner of Green's net.
A minute later, Green was required to make a very good save to his right after Berbatov's struck a powerful, goal-bound shot.
A great combination run between Fabio and Valencia sprung the fill-in right-back on a run into the box, and instead of letting the ball run out for a corner, he hit the ball back into the area, which Upson, who got away with an earlier hand ball in the box, was found guilty this time around. From the spot, Rooney fooled and sent his England colleague, Green the wrong way and neatly nestled the ball into the bottom right corner.
Berbatov showed his strength and silky skill as he eluded two or three West Ham defenders, but his layoff for Gibson was sent over the bar and into the traveling supporters.
With the dramatic turnaround, Grant was forced to make his final two changes bringing on Robbie Keane and Victor Obinna for Noble and Gary O'Neil, respectively.
West Ham were forced to push up the pitch, which left them stranded at the back, and United got their fourth goal of the second half. Rooney picked out Berbatov at the top of the area and with his route to goal cut off, he sprayed the ball for Giggs to run on, and the fill-in left back's cross eventually tapped in by Chicharito.
With three minutes of Sir Alex made his final change of the match with Nani replacing the hat-trick hero, Rooney.
The referee added four minutes on for stoppages and substitutions, but Manchester United did well to secure another dramatic two-goal come-from-behind win.
Matchball
Encouragingly, Antonio Valencia showed no ill-effects of his leg break as he tore at the West Ham defenders with his trademark driving runs to deliver multiple hard low crosses.
Ratings
T. Kuszczak - 6; Fabio - 6, C. Smalling - 5, N. Vidic - 5, P. Evra - 4 (J. Hernandez - 7); D. Gibson - 6, M. Carrick - 7, R. Giggs - 6, A. Valencia - 8, J. S. Park - 5 (D. Berbatov - 8), W. Rooney - 8 (Nani - X)
Goals
W. Rooney (65'), (73'), (79'), J. Hernandez (84')
Statistics
Possession: 67%
Corners: 16
Shots (On Target): 23 (8)
Fouls Conceded (Suffered): 10 (12)
Discipline: D. Gibson, N. Vidic
Attendance: 34,546
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