Late De Gea Save Secures Points For Manchester United
Manchester United goalkeeper David de Gea saved a last minute penalty from Mark Noble to secure a 2-1 away Premier League victory against West Ham at the London Stadium.
Mason Greenwood, Raphael Varane and Scott McTominay came into the United team with Cristiano Ronaldo starting upfront. United started the better of the two sides with chances from Ronaldo and Bruno Fernandes as they dominated possession. Jarred Bowen almost scored but his attempt was brilliantly blocked by Raphael Varane.
West Ham then took the lead as Bowen drifted across the face of the Manchester United area and laid the ball off to Said Benrahma, whose shot deflected off Varane and past the helpless De Gea.
The lead would last barely four minutes, however, with Ronaldo finding space at the back post to reach Fernandes’ cross and then reacting fastest when his initial effort was saved to tap in the equaliser.
It was Ronaldo’s fourth goal of the Premier League season.
Ronaldo almost scored in the 42nd minute but Fabianski had other ideas, producing another superb low save to keep out the Portuguese’s drive, before Nikola Vlasic fired a shot over the bar before the halftime whistle.
In second half, Fabianski came to West Ham’s rescue again when Fernandes put Ronaldo through on goal, but his shot was saved by the goalkeeper. However, as both sides looked for the winner, substitute Jessie Lingard beautifully curled the ball into the top corner of the West Ham goal to put United in front.
Lingard, who was on the pitch for about 15 minutes, looked to have snatched all three points for Manchester United in dramatic fashion. However, there was a late twist in the thrilling encounter at the London stadium.
West Ham were given a glimmer of hope to rescue a point from the game when Luke Shaw was penalised for handling Andriy Yarmolenko’s cross in the penalty area after a VAR review. Captain Mark Noble was brought on with the sole purpose of taking the penalty. However, De Gea saved brilliantly to deny West Ham a point.
The victory lifts Manchester United joint-top of the Premier League, level on 13 points with Liverpool, while West Ham remain in eighth having suffered their first defeat of the season.
“I’ve seen Noble score so many penalties, but David has saved two points for us today,” Manchester United manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer said. “I was pleased with the attacking football and movement, we have to work better defensively, that is something we will work on.”
Manchester United and West Ham will meet in the third round of the Carabao Cup on Wednesday. Manchester United will then host Aston Villa in the Premier League on Saturday, while West Ham travel to Leeds.
Premier League results
Brighton 2-1 Leicester City
West Ham 1-2 Manchester United
Tottenham Hotspur 0-2 Chelsea
Chidi Nwoke/Premier League.
