Three sublimely-crafted goals - two from Wayne Rooney,
one from Michael Owen - got United back to winning ways and moved
the champions to within a point of Premier League leaders
Chelsea.
West Ham were clinically put to the sword as two devastating team
moves yielded Rooney headers either side of the interval, before
arch-poacher Owen plundered a fine third goal within three minutes
of his introduction as a late substitute.
After last Saturday's surprisingly meek surrender at Goodison Park,
and with this Sunday's Carling Cup final against Aston Villa on the
horizon, Sir Alex Ferguson sprang several selection surprises to
face a Hammers side catapulted - for now - out of their relegation
worries by back-to-back victories.
In came Ben Foster, Darron Gibson and Anderson, while Nemanja Vidic
made a welcome return to the defence for his first start of
2010. Rio Ferdinand, available after his four-match suspension, was
conspicuous by his absence, leaving Wes Brown to partner the
Serbian in the centre of defence.
A curious first half served up a cocktail of mistakes and
brilliance. While the early sparring couldn't deliver a telling
blow for either side, it did claim Anderson, who succumbed to
a knee injury inside the first 15 minutes. Around the 20
minute mark, however, came a flurry of chances at either end.
Only a superb challenge from James Tomkins halted a marauding run
from Rooney, and prompted a West Ham attack which ended with Valon
Behrami dragging a shot past Foster's far post. Moments later, the
United stopper survived a jittery moment as Alessandro Diamanti's
deflected effort looped high before dipping just under the
crossbar. Foster was comfortably in control of the situation, but
nevertheless would have held his breath as he padded the ball down
on his own goal-line before collecting it.
At the other end, Dimitar Berbatov was denied a clear shot by a
saving challenge from Matthew Upson, and then a sprawling save from
Green, who managed to contort almost in slow-motion to save the
Bulgarian's improvised diversion of an errant Darron Gibson
shot.
United's pressure steadily grew as Gibson thrice tested Green in
the space of four minutes. The Irishman's first and third
long-range efforts were comfortably fielded, but his second drew a
superb low save from the Hammers' goalkeeper, who just managed to
brush the ball past the post.
Parity was creaking, however, and gave in on 38 minutes as United's
forward four combined in devastating fashion. Park, on for
Anderson, threaded a neat ball through to Berbatov, who
cantered infield before chipping a measured pass to Valencia on the
right-hand side of the penalty area. The Ecuadorian thudded in
a stunning first-time cross with his instep which begged Rooney to
convert. In the form of his life, the Reds' top scorer emphatically
obliged with a thumping header.
It was a quite stunning team goal which ripped the Hammers to
shreds through its simplicity. Two minutes later, another similarly
direct effort almost doubled the lead. Berbatov touched on for
Rooney, who just managed to stay level before touching the ball
past Upson and lashing a fabulous volley onto the roof of
Green's net.
Half-time provided timely respite for the visitors, but
United sought to end the contest within seconds of the
restart. Straight from the centre the ball was ferried to Valencia,
who swapped passes with Rooney before crossing low and deep into
the box. Park took a first time swing at it, only for his effort to
thud off the underside of the crossbar. As it rebounded to
Park he was felled by Behrami, by referee Alan Wiley waved away
claims for a penalty.
A second goal soon arrived, however, and three of the quartet who
had combined so well for the opener were at it again. Berbatov's
sublime threaded pass released Valencia down the right, and he sped
past marker Jonathan Spector before standing up a superb cross.
Rooney, who had peeled away from Tomkins, thumped another header
past Green, despite the goalkeeper's valiant attempt to save.
Two was almost three for United and Rooney as he beat Green in a
race to a long, loose forward ball on the Stretford End byline. The
United striker outmuscled his international colleague, turned, and
curled a shot towards the unguarded goal, only for Faubert to
comfortably clear the danger.
West Ham's beleaguered defenders would have been pleased to see the
back of Rooney and Berbatov, who had one superb surging run halted
by Faubert's crude block, when they were replaced by Owen and Diouf
for the final 11 minutes, but there would be no respite.
Out on the left flank, Owen showed neat skill to slip the ball to
Gibson before trotting infield. Once there, he accepted a superb
ball from the flawless Scholes and, having been played onside by
Upson, steered in an unerring finish via Green's left-hand
post.
Scholes could have capped a superb display with a fittingly sublime
goal four minutes from time but, after skipping past two
challenges, the veteran midfielder shot high into the Stretford
End, provoking much mirth from a home contingent who had been
cooing over his display all night long.
and a timely reminder to those who most covet the Premier League
title that the champions' grip on the trophy is not slipping yet
constitutes a satisfactory evening. The quest for four in a row can
continue at Molineux next month. For now, attentions switch to
Wembley, and the defence of another title: the Carling Cup.
