Source: Daily_Mail
How on earth did United captain Nemanja Vidic stay on the pitch at Upton Park?
Manchester United captain Nemanja Vidic endured a nightmare comebackto their title charge at Upton Park - and even manager Sir AlexFerguson admitted the Serb was lucky not to see red. [LNB]The towering central defender gave away a penalty and could havebeen sent off for two fouls which left West Ham manager Avram Grantfeeling hard done by. [LNB] Foul! Vidic struggled to get to grips with Demba Ba and was lucky to escape severe punishment after scything down the West Ham striker[LNB]Vidic, recovered from his recent calf problem, suffered one of his worst games.[LNB] He looked out of sorts in the heart of defence and was given a torrid time by West Ham's strong-man striker, Demba Ba. [LNB]It was the worst performance from 29-year-old Vidic since he was torn apart by Fernando Torres when the Spaniard was at Liverpool - and it nearly cost United dear at Upton Park. [LNB] Penalty! Vidic brings down Carlton Cole to hand West Ham a second goal from the spot[LNB]First, Vidic gave away a penalty, which allowed West Ham to go 2-0 ahead, when he fouled Carlton Cole, although the initial contact may have been fractionally outside the box. [LNB]Then the Serb was given a real lifeline by referee Lee Mason when he cynically hauled Ba to the ground as he was caught out of position and struggled to regain his composure. [LNB]Protest: Vidic claims he's innocent after hauling down Cole[LNB]Ba looked to be through on goal but Mason kept the red card in his pocket, showing Vidic only a yellow, presumably because he believed United keeper Tomasz Kuszczak could have grabbed the bouncing ball before the West Ham man got to it. [LNB]Vidic received another big let-off at the start of the second half when his rash lunge brought down Ba - but again Mason gave him the benefit of the doubt. [LNB]Ferguson, sitting in the stands because of his five-match touchline ban for criticising referee Martin Atkinson, admitted: 'Vidic could have been sent off for the free-kick outside the box and maybe got a lucky break. But it would have been harsh.[LNB] 'The ball was bouncing high and fast when he brought Ba down so the West Ham man might not have got to it. And the referee felt he went for the ball for the second incident. [LNB]'The second West Ham penalty was outside of the box, which was unfortunate for us. [LNB]'This is not an easy place to come and play but that was a champions' performance. We were brilliant in the second half.' [LNB]West Ham manager Grant, who is facing a charge of improper conduct over his own criticism of officialdom, insisted: 'I didn't see it properly but if it was a foul, it should have been a red card. The referee obviously felt he wasn't clear on goal.'[LNB] LIVE: West Ham v Manchester United - follow all the latest action from Upton ParkWest Ham 2 Man Utd 4: Rooney hits three as Reds seal stunning fightback Rooney's disgrace: A 15 minute hat-trick but then United star's four-letter rant ruins it allLet the respect campaign begin: Remember we will be naming and shaming[LNB][LNB] [LNB] Explore more:People: Carlton Cole, Tomasz Kuszczak, Fernando Torres, Nemanja Vidic, Martin Atkinson Places: Liverpool
