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West Ham United's Boleyn Ground has never been the
most welcoming of venues for Manchester United. Titles have been
lost in this part of London's East End in the past and the locals
have never hidden the fact that they thoroughly enjoy throwing a
spanner in the works when
United are the visitors.
The last of the old First Division championships
back in 1992 was to all intents and purposes handed to Leeds after
United had failed on the atmospheric old ground. And seven years
ago the Reds failed to overcome the Hammers to hand the Premiership
to Kenny Dalglish's
Blackburn Rovers.
On the credit side United have yet to lose a Premiership
game against West Ham in London, and anothre win is an outcome that
would do nicely in the wake of Liverpool's 2-1 early afternoon win
against Middlesbrough at the Riverside- a result that took the Anfield
side to the top of the table.
Sir Alex Ferguson is well versed in the strategy
required to gain some reward from a visit to West Ham and he selects
his team accordingly. So it was interesting to see that he had made
just two changes from the side that drew 0-0 with Bayern Munich
on Wednesday. Paul Scholes and Nicky Butt were brought in to patrol
the midfield whilst Juan Sebastian Veron and Ryan Giggs were missing
and not even named on the bench.
United have been involved in some titanic battles
on this ground and from the outset it appeared that this was going
to be no exception.
The Hammers, who beat United 1-0 at Old Trafford
in December, kicked-off towards the Centenary Stand and were soon
putting Fabien Barthez's goal under threat. United were pushed back
with West Ham going for an early breakthrough and in the eighth
minute they did just that. Vladimir Labant crossed from the left
and Salford-born Steve Lomas, a former Hammers' skipper, got above
Mikael Silvestre at the far post to head his side into the lead.
It wasn't the start United had planned and three
minutes later they were almost two-down when Paolo Di Canio, the
player who almost joined United earlier in the year, hit a swerving
shot which just missed the angle of post and bar. Labant also tried
to find the net with a long range shot as the home side dictated
the early play.
United were certainly not at their best but then
out of the blue they found themselves level. A brilliant long ball
from Scholes found David Beckham on the right, who without changing
step looped a fantastic shot over keeper David James and into the
net.
The Boleyn Ground faithful were silenced for a few
minutes, but it wasn't long before they were in full cry again.
Three minutes after United had levelled and the Hammers were back
in front. Defender Sebastien Schemmel sent in a great ball from
the right and striker
Frederic Kanoute, on the edge of the area, hit it first time past
Barthez.
Everyone had been expecting fireworks from this
match and they surely weren't being let down.
Two minutes later, and amazingly, United were level
again. Beckham took a free-kick from just outside the Hammers' area
and Butt got in amongst the home defence to volley acrobatically
past James.
No further goals were scored in the first half but
the pace of the game certainly showed no signs of slowing down with
both sides continuing to press forward at a frantic pace.
United almost nipped into the lead with the last
action of the half. They were awarded a free-kick on the right after
Ole Gunnar Solskjaer had been fouled by Tomas Repka. Then, with
everyone expecting Beckham to float over a cross he pulled it back
for skipper Roy Keane, who connected with a fine shot which James
did really well to stop on the floor.
The second half opened in much the same way the
first had with West Ham on the offensive. United boss Sir Alex was
stood almost permanently in the technical area barking instructions
and giving directions to his team.
His efforts were put to good effect for in the 55th
minute United went in front for the first time in the match. Solskjaer
crossed from the by-line on the right and Scholes beat the home
defence to the ball and score from close range.
Twice in front, it was now the Hammers' turn to
chase an equaliser.
United should have increased their lead four minutes
later when the ball arrived at Ruud van Nistelrooy's feet on the
edge of the area, but his well-struck shot went wide.
United now had their tails up and in the 64th minute
they increased their lead with Solskjaer scoring at the second attempt
from Beckham's right wing cross. The Reds, who earlelr looked to
have a real battle on their hands suddenly found themselves with
a two-goal cushion.
West Ham, however, refused to accept defeat and
in the 78th minute they reduced the arrears with a fine goal from
Jermain Defoe who had only taken the field some four minutes before
as a substitute for defender Nigel Winterburn.
The home fans, sensing yet another twist this fabulous
game, roared their team on as they went in search of the goal that
would restore the status quo once again.
However, the Reds wrapped up the points when Paul
Scholes was felled in the West Ham area. With Ole and Ruud off the
pitch it fell to David Beckham to smash the ball past James for
a 5-3 lead.
This terrific match was just what the doctor ordered
after the tedium of Wednesday's clash against Bayern in the UEFA
Champions League. It is rarely dull at West Ham and this was in
keeping with the best from the past. A good old-fashioned 'no holds
barred' English league match.
It was the very result United were looking for but
they had to battle all the way against the East Enders.
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