(Football news) When fans say the Premier League is undoubtedly the most entertaining in the world, that claim is not based on ‘hype’. The speed, intensity, quality and stadiums packed to the brim provides better value than arguably any sporting league in the world and this weekend’s action did not disappoint.
Manchester United travelled to West Ham’s London Stadium, hoping to keep up with the likes of Chelsea and Liverpool at the top of the Premier League. The Red Devils endured a difficult defeat in the Champions League against Young Boys and were looking to put the result behind them and get back to winning ways. Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s men remain unbeaten away from home in the Premier League since January 2020 and the Norwegian named a strong XI against The Hammers.
As it has happened so often last season, Manchester United were on the backfoot when Said Benrahma’s shot deflected on Raphael Varane for West Ham’s opening goal. However, the inevitable happened when Cristiano Ronaldo scored his fourth goal in three games to bring his side level five minutes later. Both teams struggled to find an opening for the inevitable winner until Jesse Lingard scored against his former side in the 89th minute, which eventually proved to be the winner despite the late drama.
Deep into stoppage time, Martin Atkinson awarded a penalty to West Ham after VAR spotted a handball by Luke Shaw. West Ham’s captain Mark Noble, who was on the substitute bench, came on to take the spot kick in the 95th minute. In 2020, he was recognized as the player with the second highest conversion rate of penalty kicks (90.5%) in the last 20 years, whereas Manchester United’s goalkeeper David De Gea’s record of saving penalties is abysmal. The Spaniard had only saved five penalties before this weekend in his Manchester United career with the last one coming in the 2015/2016 season when he denied Romelu Lukaku.
To everyone’s surprise, De Gea dived on the left and cleared Mark Noble’s penalty, thereby winning his side all 3 points at a crucial junction of the Premier League. The result means Man United are level on points with Chelsea and Liverpool at the top of the table, however the other two sides are ahead on goal difference.
