West Ham United 1-0 Manchester United
Premier League, London Stadium, Sunday 7 May 2023, 7pm BST
Saïd Benrahma was the difference as West Ham United deservedly beat Manchester United 1-0 on an enthralling Sunday evening at London Stadium.
The Algerian’s first-half strike – his tenth in all competitions in 2022/23 – was enough to see his side beat the Red Devils for the first time since 2021.
Not since September 2019 had Manchester United travelled to east London and left empty-handed in a Premier League fixture but a resolute - and aggressive - performance, one that saw West Ham have two goals ruled out in the second half, ensured just that.
The Hammers move seven points clear of the bottom three following a memorable win.
With Nayef Aguerd, Tomáš Souček and Declan Rice returning to the line-up, having missed the trip to Manchester City due to illness, a refreshed West Ham frustrated Manchester United in east London.
Early pressure did come from the Red Devils, however. Inside ten minutes, Marcus Rashford and Bruno Fernandes struck off-target, as did Antony just moments later. Eriksen also tried to test Łukasz Fabiański from distance but like the former trio, his effort faded off-target, with the Irons’ No1 happy to watch the ball sail over the bar.
Rashford later struck the outside of the post – but the Hammers saw off Manchester United’s early dominance and then sprung to life to take the lead with 27 minutes on the clock.
Benrahma picked Luke Shaw’s pockets around the halfway line, shrugged off the pressure from Victor Lindelöf, and then found the bottom corner past David de Gea from about 20 yards out. His sixth Premier League goal of the season rolled past the diving Spaniard from the edge of the area – and put his side ahead.
Manchester United, though, continued to probe and searched for a quick response to Benrahma’s opener. Antony was next to strike the post, finding the edge of the woodwork, while Rashford was unable to put enough power behind a header to force a save from Fabiański.
But West Ham stood tall and then pushed for a second. And while Benrahma forced a neat save from De Gea late on in the first half, all in Claret and Blue were aggrieved when the ball seemed to bounce off Lindelöf’s arm, and neither referee Peter Bankes nor VAR Stuart Attwell pointed to the spot.
In the second half, the Irons’ aggression continued, particularly from set-pieces. One corner saw Souček’s volley palmed away by De Gea and Aguerd’s shot blocked by Antony, before another whistled narrowly over the Moroccan’s head, who looked destined to nod in a second.
The Hammers did have the ball in the net with 50 minutes played. Flicked on by Souček, a long throw was poked home by Antonio, although the No9 was adjudged to have fouled De Gea.
But Moyes’ side continued to push to double their lead. Rice combined with Benrahma, before the skipper flashed the ball across the six-yard box, while Paquetá, also struck, albeit waywardly, from distance.
But it was through the Brazil creative, who entertained the Claret and Blue faithful with an inspired performance in and out of possession, that West Ham continued to fashion chances. Paquetá plucked Angelo Ogbonna’s pass out the sky and then later chipped the ball to the back post, where Souček at full stretch could only find the side netting.
After a flowing move that saw Benrahma, Paquetá and Rice combine, Souček headed the ball past a helpless De Gea, although the offside flag denied West Ham their second – and the Czech his fourth goal of the season.
The visitors continued to search for an equaliser, but the Hammers bravely dealt with the questions their opponents asked as the clock ticked past 80 minutes. Fabiański denied Rashford, while Souček put his head amongst boots, shirts and the ball, to clear his side’s lines. And despite receiving a heavy blow for his troubles, got back to his feet and continued to lead his side’s charge for victory.
After Pablo Fornals replaced Benrahma, and Emerson, Flynn Downes, and Ben Johnson later entered the field, Moyes’ outfit continued to press Manchester United. Rice won the ball and saw his cross deflect behind for a corner, as West Ham searched repeatedly for a second they ultimately did not need. While Fabiański kept Martial out late on, to ensure a stunning, deserved, and memorable victory that saw east London bouncing come the full-time whistle.
West Ham United: Fabiański, Kehrer, Ogbonna, Aguerd, Cresswell (Emerson 90+8), Rice ©, Souček, Paquetá (Downes 90+5), Benrahma (Fornals 87), Bowen, Antonio (Johnson 90+5)
Subs: Areola (GK), Anang (GK), Lanzini, Cornet, Ings,
Goal: Benrahma 27
Manchester United: De Gea, Wan-Bissaka (Dalot 88), Lindelöf, Shaw, Malacia (Fred 88), Casemiro, Fernandes ©, Eriksen (Sabitzer 72), Antony (Sancho 72), Rashford, Weghorst (Martial 57)
Subs: Butland (GK), Williams, Maguire, Garnacho,
Booked: Malacia Wan-Bissaka
Referee: Peter Bankes
Attendance: 62,477
