MANCHESTER, England (REUTERS) - Two Paul Pogba penalties earned lethargic Manchester United a 2-1 victory over West Ham United in the Premier League at Old Trafford on Saturday (April 13).
Having lost five of their previous six matches in all competitions, United looked short on confidence early on against West Ham, who had a goal ruled out in the 10th minute when Felipe Anderson was adjudged to be offside when finding the net.
That tight call went United's way, and soon after they were in front when Pogba hammered home a 19th minute penalty, much to the relief of home crowd.
Even with the lead, United remained sluggish and did not muster another shot on target for the rest of the first half during which they saw less of the ball than their visitors.
The interval did little to rejuvenate United with Anderson's first goal in 14 league games drawing the visitors level just four minutes into the second period.
Michail Antonio twice went close to completing the turnaround for West Ham, but United stole all three points after Pogba again converted from the spot 10 minutes from time.
The win ensured United climbed above Arsenal into fifth place, two points behind Chelsea, while West Ham stayed 11th.
Â
"They played better than us, it is fair to say, I don't think anyone will disagree," United manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer said.
"We got away with it. Sometimes we have lost when we should have won, so over a season it evens itself out."
Marcus Rashford was not fit enough to start for United, with Solskjaer making five changes from the side beaten by Barcelona in the Champions League in midweek, but the reshuffle did little to lift United as the Hammers controlled the opening exchanges.
Anderson sent the visiting supporters into raptures after converting former United striker Javier Hernandez's knockdown, but the linesman's flag denied the Brazilian.
United, though, were gifted the opportunity to break the deadlock through Pogba after Robert Snodgrass fouled Juan Mata in the penalty area.
West Ham, still on top after the break, equalised through Anderson, who lost his marker Marcos Rojo to fire Manuel Lanzini's cross past De Gea.
Substitute Antonio hit the bar with a thunderous strike from distance and was then denied by a brilliant De Gea save.
That stop proved crucial as Anthony Martial then raced clear before being upended in the area, with Pogba stepping up to fire in his seventh successful penalty of the season.
"We deserved more," West Ham manager Manuel Pellegrini said. "It was a pleasure for me to see my team play like this against Manchester United in their own stadium."
"A new caretaker manager will be appointed until the end of the current season, while the club conducts a thorough recruitment process for a new, full-time manager." Mourinho took charge of United in the summer of 2016 following the departure of Louis van Gaal, winning the Europa League and EFL Cup in his first season.
Jose Mourinho Sacked by Manchester United, Club to Appoint
Football: United confirm huge Mourinho payoff; 'Class of 92' coach Harrison dies aged 81. The sacking of Jose Mourinho cost Manchester United nearly £20 million (S$34.8 million), the club
Latest JOSE MOURINHO | The Straits Times
Blues manager Maurizio Sarri hails Higuain-Hazard partnership Chelsea's Eden Hazard (centre) celebrates with teammate Gonzalo Higuain after scoring during their English Premier League soccer match
Blues manager hails Higuain-Hazard partnership
Jan 10, 2019 · José Mourinho, pictured at the Primeira Liga match between Vitória and Santa Clara in December, has ruled himself out of the Benfica job. Photograph: Rui Minderico/EPA José Mourinho has spoken
Football news- Jose Mourinho rules himself out of Benfica job
Soccer: Chelsea's Giroud seeks France return to boost game
Two goals in two minutes has seen the Socceroos comfortably dispatch Palestine 3-0 at the Asian Cup. Socceroos bounce back at the Asian Cup with Palestine win | Goal.com Live Scores
Socceroos will bounce back, declares Arnold - smh.com.au
Football: Sacked Puel says it was an 'honour' to manage
Unai Emery urges Arsenal to focus on Valencia clash The 10-man Gunners slipped to a third straight defeat after the dominant Foxes ran out 3-0 winners. During Jose Mourinho's time in
Unai Emery urges Arsenal to focus on Valencia clash
Japan coach Hajime Moriyasu was naturally disappointed that his side missed out on a winning a fifth Asian Cup title on Friday but believes the improvement of the squad augurs well for the future. The Samurai Blue went into the final as warm favorites to clinch the continental crown but…
Japan coach disappointed but pleased with progress at Asian Cup
Arsenal transfer news - LIVE! The 2019 summer transfer window will see another period of change for Arsenal as Unai Emery assesses a squad which narrowly missed out on a top-four finish before
Arsenal close to first summer signing as Italian reporter
de Gea: Manchester United keeper gives Ole Gunnar Solskjaer dilemma
United manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer said all the right things afterwards. He still "trusts" De Gea. No-one should "blame him" for dropping points. "David has been unbelievable for this club," said the Norwegian. "We support each other. There is no chance anyone can blame him for losing points. "He knows he could have had that shot, but that is
GOLTV is a Soccer focused Cable network which serves both the English and Spanish speaking soccer fans in the United States. GolTV USA - Rangers out of Europa League, Eintracht fans run riot at Lazio Rangers crashed out of the Europa League on Thursday after falling 1-0 at Rapid Vienna, while crowd trouble sparked by Eintracht Frankfurt fans
Rangers Out Of Europa League, Eintracht Fans Run Riot At
Football: Jimenez, Jota slay Man United as Wolves reach FA Cup semis WOLVERHAMPTON, England (REUTERS) - Wolverhampton Wanderers reached the FA Cup semi-finals for the first time since 1998 by beating last year's runners-up Manchester United 2-1 with a clinical second-half display in an intense atmosphere at their Molineux stadium on Saturday
Jimenez, Jota slay United as Wolves reach FA Cup semis
Manchester City captain Vincent Kompany has announced he's set to donate all of the proceeds from his upcoming testimonial to Manchester's homeless population. At the age of 32, Kompany is on the
Very good Kompany: City's captain marvel - dailymail.co.uk
Mar 17, 2019 · Manchester City were paired with Brighton in the semi-finals of the FA Cup, while Watford will face Wolves following the draw, which was made immediately after Brighton's penalty shootout defeat
Watch Millwall v Brighton and FA Cup semi-final draw - Live
0 comments:
Post a Comment