Match Overview

In a nail-biting encounter on Sunday, West Ham United triumphed over Manchester United with a controversial last-minute penalty, converting the score to 2-1 in their favor. Jarrod Bowen stepped up to take the crucial spot-kick after a VAR review which determined that Matthijs de Ligt had fouled Danny Ings in the dying moments of the match, leaving Manchester United manager Erik ten Hag fuming on the sidelines.

West Ham's Performance

Crysencio Summerville made his mark for West Ham by scoring his inaugural goal for the club in a performance that helped them rise to 13th place in the Premier League, now sitting on 11 points after nine fixtures. This victory not only provided a much-needed boost for the Hammers but also put Manchester United in a precarious position, sharing 14th place with just 11 points.

Pressure on Manchester United

Despite this loss marking only their second defeat in ten matches across all competitions, it amplified the mounting pressure on Erik ten Hag, as United have managed to secure just one win in their last eight outings. Ten Hag expressed his frustration post-match, stating, "Three times this season we feel injustice. We have to score; we created so many chances. We should've been two or three up."

Controversial Penalty Decision

The incident leading to the penalty decision was met with disbelief as Ten Hag argued that the call was unfair, stating, "When you're losing 1-0 you need big personality and character... Unfair and unjust the way we conceded the penalty."

Decisive Moments

Bowen's low shot from the penalty spot in the 92nd minute found the back of the net to ensure West Ham’s victory, despite Manchester United's goalkeeper, André Onana, diving in the right direction.

First Half Dynamics

The first half was largely dominated by Manchester United, who came close to opening the scoring multiple times, including a powerful long-range effort from Alejandro Garnacho that rattled the crossbar just two minutes into the match. Meanwhile, West Ham's goalkeeper Lukasz Fabianski was called into action, showcasing his skills with a remarkable save from a Casemiro header just before halftime.

Resurgence in the Second Half

The second half saw a resurgence from West Ham, influenced by manager Julen Lopetegui's substitutions, bringing on both Summerville and Tomáš Soucek. Summerville pleased the home crowd by scoring the Hammers’ first goal in the 74th minute, tapping in a mishit shot from Ings.

Equalizer and the Finale

But the joy was short-lived for West Ham as Casemiro leveled the match just seven minutes later, rising to head a cross from Diogo Dalot into the net. However, the Red Devils' celebrations were abruptly halted as Bowen’s late penalty sealed the fate of the match.

Future Prospects

A repeating theme from this match was Manchester United's inability to capitalize on their chances, a sentiment echoed by Ten Hag, who urged his players to "look in the mirror." The loss left supporters reflecting on missed opportunities, particularly in the first half where they dominated possession but struggled to break the deadlock.

With this surprising turn of events, West Ham United’s victory not only boosts their confidence but has undoubtedly raised the stakes for Manchester United as they struggle to turn their season around. Keep an eye on the upcoming matches—can United bounce back, or will their struggles continue?