Source: Telegraph
West Ham United 0 Manchester United 4: match report
It was men against boys at Upton Park as Wayne Rooney and Ryan Giggs inspired Manchester United to a thumping victory over a West Ham side now fighting for Premiership survival. [LNB]Even though Manchester United had injury problems of their own, which led to midfielder Michael Carrick playing as an emergency central defender against the club where he started his career, they were too strong for [LNB] Related ArticlesPremier League tablePremier League actionTelegraph player raterPremier League fixturesMan United assistant manager on runs injury newsSport on televisionGianfranco Zola's young side. Having thumped Portsmouth 4-1 at Fratton Park last week, United continued their demolition of the relegation candidates without ever having to get into top gear.[LNB] Rooney played as a lone striker for the first hour or so, and the only surprise was it took 44 minutes to break down an injury-hit West Ham United. [LNB]Paul Scholes made the breakthrough in first-half stoppage time, hitting a half-volley from the edge of the penalty area with his left-foot after the home side failed to clear the ball repeatedly. [LNB]Robert Green got a hand to the ball but could not stop it, and the England goalkeeper had to be replaced in the 73rd minute, by which time his side were dead and buried. [LNB]Darron Gibson, keeping his place in midfield after scoring the two goals that beat Tottenham in the Carling Cup on Tuesday, smashed home another spectacular strike from 25 yards to make it 2-0 on the hour, Antonio [LNB]Valencia made it three when he tapped in Anderson's cross from close range ten minutes later. [LNB]Within a minute, the Ecuador winger crossed for Rooney to sidefoot home from six yards, prompting West Ham supporters to register their protest at their team's plight by leaving in droves. [LNB]The result moved United to within two points of Chelsea, before their match at Manchester City, but leaves West Ham only a point above the relegation zone. [LNB][LNB] [LNB]
