WEST HAM UNITED 0 MANCHESTER UNITED 2
Man United - Rooney 8', 33'
Man of the match - Wayne Rooney (Man United)
LONDON // Wayne Rooney produced his own David Beckham moment to put Manchester United on course for an impressive victory at West Ham, firing home one of the most memorable goals of the season from 58 yards.
Returning to Premier League action after progressing to the Uefa Champions League quarter-finals with a fine victory against Olympiakos, the England international netted twice as David Moyes' men proved Wednesday's result was no flash in the pan.
“Everybody flashed back to David Beckham’s goal,” the United manager said to Sky Sports. “I said to Wayne Rooney that when the ball bounced I was worried that the bounce may take it over the bar.
“He’s a top player and it was a top goal. You have to have the awareness of where people are on the pitch. It was a great piece of skill and he has great ability.”
Rooney’s second saw him move onto 212 goals and usurp Jack Rowley as the third highest goalscorer in United’s history, but it was his first just eight minutes into the 2-0 victory that will live long in the memory.
The 28 year old produced a moment of magic, sending the ball sailing over Adrian in a goal similar in audacity and skill to Beckham’s wonder strike at Wimbledon in 1996.
Rather aptly, the former United midfielder was at Upton Park to witness the effort first-hand and will have been impressed by the way Moyes’ side held on to condemn West Ham to a third successive defeat.
Rooney’s display was certainly a timely shot in the arm for United, with Robin van Persie facing up to six weeks out with a sprained knee.
His enforced absence was one of the six changes from the midweek win over Olympiacos, with the visitors impressing from the outset in east London.
One of those brought in, Marouane Fellaini, came close to putting the visitors ahead inside three minutes, powering a header goalwards only for Andy Carroll to hack off the line.
Moyes’ side continued in the ascendancy and were almost then gifted a goal as Shinji Kagawa collected a miscued Tomkins pass, allowing the Japan international to thread through Juan Mata.
Adrian did well to stop the midfielder’s strike but could only watch helplessly as Rooney netted his contender for goal of the season.
Having outmuscled James Tomkins, Rooney turned and hit a half-volley which sailed over Adrian and into the net from fully 58 yards.
Beckham, watching on from the Upton Park stands, smiled wryly at the goal so similar to his own famous strike, which West Ham tried to chalk off immediately.
Mohamed Diame saw a drive blocked by Alexander Buttner, before Andy Carroll powered a header straight at David de Gea moments after glancing a Kevin Nolan free-kick wide.
Diame lost his footing just before getting a shot away as the home side continued to press, although they were leaving themselves open at the back.
When United next attacked Adrian had to be alert to deny Kagawa directing in a Mata through-ball, before the Spaniard stung the palms of the West Ham goalkeeper after wriggling free.
The visitors did not have to wait long to double their advantage, though.
As Nolan fumed at having a penalty appeal rejected by referee Lee Mason, United countered at speed with Rooney playing the ball right to Ashley Young.
“I was complaining about the foul on James Tomkins, I’m 100 per cent convinced that it should have been a free-kick,” West Ham manager Sam Allardyce said. “It wouldn’t have come to that [the goal] if the referee had done his job.
“It put Tomkins off. I don’t think you can blame the keeper - it’s an unbelievable strike.
“It knocked the stuffing out of us. We tried our hardest but when they scored the second goal it was always going to be tough.
“Being 2-0 up Manchester United could sit eight and nine players behind the ball. We started the second half with a few corners but we didn’t find enough quality to break that eight or nine down. In the end they beat us and deservedly so.”
The returning winger burst forward and sent in a low cross that Mark Noble could only hack into the path of Rooney, who easily directed home in the 33rd minute.
The goal moved him third in United’s all-time scorers list and he attempted to add to that haul before the break, although failed with three efforts at a hat-trick.
The Hammers returned from the break impressively and, after Young saw an effort saved at the other end, Diame had a strike blocked as West Ham attempted to carve open United’s defence, which was holding firm despite Michael Carrick playing as a makeshift centre-back.
The England midfielder did well to head away as Tomkins lurked at the back post, before left-back Buttner failed with an attempt at the other end.
West Ham brought on Carlton Cole with less than 20 minutes remaining as they continued to pump balls into the box, while United made changes of their own, including the withdrawal of Rooney.
The England forward was given a loud ovation by the travelling faithful and a hearty round of applause by Beckham, while his display will have also pleased the watching Roy Hodgson.
Rooney’s replacement Javier Hernandez would have added a third had Kagawa not sent a cross over the unmarked forward’s head, while Fellaini unsuccessfully claimed a late penalty as Moyes’ side secured a third successive away league win.
“We were excellent,” Moyes said. “We played really good football and the only disappointment is we didn’t score more. We were wasteful in our finishing.
“West Ham gave us lots of crosses to deal with which was tough but we did well.
“You can never tell until nearer the time but we should be ok injury wise to face City on Tuesday.”
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