West Ham 2 Man United 4: Rooney bags a hat-trick leaves title in sight

02 April 2011 21:59
Wayne Rooney delivered the sort ofhat-trick which marks him out as one of the few extraordinaryfootballing talents this country possesses, yet few could have seen itcoming. [LNB]The Manchester United striker wasnot playing particularly well before the pivotal 63rd minute of thisgame, and neither were his team-mates, even if West Ham's two-goal leaddid flatter the east London club. [LNB]What then transpired in a 15-minute spell demonstrated all of Rooney's considerable qualities. [LNB] United we stand: Rooney fires home his first from a free-kick just outside the West Ham penalty area [LNB]Perhaps inevitably, he went on tosully it with his expletive into a TV camera. But while his capacity tobe a role model will always be dubious at best, his football ability isless in doubt. [LNB]United's title challenge was faltering here yesterday. [LNB]Trailing to two penalties, they looked unconvincing even against a distinctly shaky West Ham side. [LNB]Indeed, even if United go on toglory, it will be difficult to escape the conclusion that they would bethe least inspiring of Sir Alex Ferguson's 12 Premier League titleteams. [LNB]However, in terms of sheer belligerence and indefatigability, they are unsurpassed. [LNB]'Going for it is important to ourclub and we played like champions,' said Ferguson. 'We kept our headsup and we didn't lose faith in our ability.'[LNB] He was right, of course. [LNB]This United side have no concept ofbeing beaten, even on a day when Nemanja Vidic was doing his utmost toremove himself from the shortlists for player-of-the-season awards, hislax positioning and state of seemingly permanent panic infecting ChrisSmalling and Patrice Evra.[LNB] Make mine a double: The United striker scores his second goal after 73 minutes [LNB]Only when a bright new left-backprospect was introduced at half-time in place of Evra did United'sdefence steady. His name? Ryan Giggs. [LNB]'Once we polish him up a bit he'll be OK,' joked Ferguson. [LNB]In fact, asked to play a newposition at 37, Giggs performed so well he might consider adding a fewseasons to his career as a defender.[LNB] As for West Ham, they will take heart from a well-executed start to the game, rather than the abject surrender by the finish.[LNB] 'You don't count on a win against Manchester United, even if we wanted to win it,' said manager Avram Grant. [LNB]'The other games are more important.' [LNB]Despite starting brightly, with Smalling heading over after four minutes, United capitulated in unusual fashion. [LNB]When Scott Parker launched a hopefullong ball on 11 minutes, every schoolboy could have told Vidic andSmalling that it should have been met with a firm clearing header.[LNB] Instead, it bounced and Carlton Cole flicked the ball up against Evra's hand. [LNB] Brace yourself: West Ham midfielder Mark Noble converted two first-half penalties [LNB]Referee Lee Mason pointed to the appropriate spot and Mark Noble dispatched the penalty confidently, low to his left. [LNB]In 25 minutes was invited to try again. [LNB]Cole, displaying uncommon confidence, sold a dummy and raced past Vidic, only to be felled by the Serbia defender. [LNB] Going over: Cole is hauled down by Vidic and West Ham are controversially awarded their second penalty [LNB]The first foul was just outside the area, but so marginal that it was difficult for anyone but Vidic to berate the referee.[LNB] Noble stepped up and this time went high and right. [LNB]United's season was in jeopardy.[LNB] Despite Rob Green having to parry away a Ji-Sung Park shot, West Ham had found their stride. [LNB]Thomas Hitzlsperger sliced wide before Vidic failed to deal with yet another long ball on 42 minutes.[LNB] As Demba Ba wriggled away, thedefender wrestled him to the ground. A yellow card was produced,presumably because the ball was bouncing towards Tomasz Kuszczak,standing in for groin strain victim Edwin van der Sar. [LNB] That's handy: United defender Evra is penalised for handling the ball in his own area [LNB] [LNB] [LNB]Vidic survived that potential sending-off but when he felled Ba on 49 minutes, a second yellow seemed inevitable.[LNB] It never came. [LNB]Even when Rooney lined up afree-kick on the edge of the area on 63 minutes, there had been littleindication as to where the inspiration for a United comeback might comefrom. [LNB] Spot on: Noble sends Kuszczak the wrong way, successfully converting his first penalty[LNB] [LNB]MATCH FACTSWest Ham (4-3-3): Green; Jacobsen, Da Costa, Upson, Bridge; Noble (Keane 83min), Parker, Hitzlsperger; O'Neill (Obinna 83), Cole (Piquionne 68), Ba. Subs (not used): Boffin, Reid, Tomkins, Spector. Booked: Da Costa.Man United (4-2-3-1): Kuszczak; Fabio, Smalling, Vidic, Evra (Hernandez46); Gibson, Carrick; Valencia, Park (Berbatov 64), Giggs; Rooney (Nani87). (not used): Amos, Owen, Anderson, Gill. Booked: Gibson, Vidic.Referee: L Mason (Lancashire)[LNB]But it would have been difficult tostrike the shot any better - just above the wall and high into the topright-hand corner - and as the ball struck the net, the prematureoptimism of Upton Park deflated instantaneously. [LNB]On 72 minutes, Antonio Valencia'sball found Rooney and with his first touch he took out a posse ofdefenders; with his second he lashed it into the net.  [LNB]Now there was no doubt about where this game was going. [LNB]Fabioda Silva flicked the ball past Frederic Piquionne on 78 minutes andavoided an ill-advised lunge from Matthew Upson, who then handledFabio's pass from the touchline. [LNB]Rooney's penalty found the corner and he embarked on his ill-judged celebration. [LNB]Therewas still time for Javier Hernandez to bolster his burgeoningreputation with a goal from close range on 84 minutes from a deflectedGiggs cross. [LNB]. LIVE: West Ham v Manchester United - the action as it happened from Upton ParkLet the respect campaign begin: Remember we will be naming and shamingWest Ham United FC news, features and opinion Manchester United FC news, features and opinion How on earth did Vidic stay on the pitch at Upton Park? [LNB] [LNB]  Explore more:People: Wayne Rooney, Alex Ferguson, Matthew Upson, Robert Green, Robbie Keane, Ryan Giggs, Carlton Cole, Antonio Valencia, Edwin Van Der Sar, Tomasz Kuszczak, Nemanja Vidic, Thomas Hitzlsperger, Dimitar Berbatov, Park Ji-sung, Patrice Evra, Nani

Source: Daily_Mail