Hammers secure vital victory over struggling Reds in Ten Hags last match
Hope everyone is safe and well.
It’s been a busy time in the Marsh household as we have had work done to replace our flooring. The flooring we had put in previously was literally falling apart and was the result of it not being installed properly. We couldn’t stand it anymore so have decided to get it taken up and new flooring laid down. So, we have had to put loads of personal belongings in storage whilst the flooring is laid, and this week there is a lot of cleaning to do before we can relax. It’s taken up quite. Lot of our free time, but it will be worth it.
Match day arrived, I had my camera loaded with blank memory cards, lenses cleaned and battery fully charged and as I walked to the stadium with my youngest boy, we talked team selection. Usually we have an idea what the team will be before we leave the house, but now with JLo posting the team sheet very late, we rely on various predictions from social media.
But, once the team sheet was posted we were both surprised that Summerville was absent from the starting 11 again. We need his pace, confidence on the ball and ability to pull defenders in all directions. Personally, I would put him on and Paqueta on the bench. In fact, I’d send Paq home for a while to get himself straight as there are clearly issues affecting his game.
And with Utd, who knows which team will turn up? Lately it is the team who seem to have no idea what they are doing and who have been struggling in front of goal, as well as shipping a few goals at the other end as well.
Walking through the Olympic Park towards the stadium, we can see it through the trees and then we made our way up towards the bridge that leads to our turnstile A. Fans had turned up for this match, and who wouldn’t? It was clearly very busy as we arrived at the stadium to queue up for the security checks. Fortunately, going through security was a breeze, a quick scan front and back and we were soon wandering around the outside of the ground as I looked for interesting shots to capture.
The weather was bright, surprisingly warm for this time of year and there was an expectation that we could do this today, a bounce back after last week’s shocking capitulation to Spurs. We needed something positive, despite Kudus being sidelined after his rush of blood to the head making him see red as we struggled to hold off a rampant Spurs team.
The stands were filling up as plumes of fire reached up in front of the Billy Bonds Stand, the crowd was in good voice as the players took their places before the match kicked off, the roar that urged the team on raised the hair on the back my neck. Foof! This is more like it, an atmosphere that gets the heart pumping and blood pressure up! COYI!
But the first half was a story of how many chances do Man Utd need to score? Garnacho was a constant threat down the left wing, out manoeuvring Wan Bissaka and sprinting wide to whip in crosses or coming inside to make telling passes to set up a team mate outside the box.
Time and again we benefited from Utd’s lack of composure in front of goal. Garnacho shot wide, Diogo Dalot missed an open goal after flicking the ball over Fabianski as our keeper rushed out to make a block.
A couple of black balloons made their way above the crowd, but there was nothing like previous home matches when stewards had a bit of a time of it popping all the balloons.
Whatever we threw at Utd – and that wasn’t much – it was easily dealt with or Onana gathered any crosses that came into the box.
Mavropanos had a good half and this tackle on Garnacho showed what he is made of, but also highlighted United’s constant play acting and time wasting that simply broke up the play to their advantage. The crowd were getting increasingly fed up of it and shouted at the ref to do something about it.
United continued to be wasteful infant of goal as Rasmus Hojlund and Marcus Rashford both had efforts blocked by Fabianski – who I feel was a wise replacement for Areola – and Utd’s Diogo Dalot sent his chip over Fabianski over the bar. This has to be miss of the season surely? And the crowd quite rightly gave him some stick.
Mavropanos suffered an injury in attempting to get back for that Diogo Dalot miss and this probably contributed to his substitution at half time.
Those around me were saying Utd should have been 4 or 5 goals in front, but I desperately replied “Well, our defence are doing their job” “How’s that?” Came the incredulous reply “Well, we haven’t conceded!” I realised we were struggling and something needed to change after half time.
And it did. For whatever faults JLo has in getting the team to play and be competitive he is not shy of ringing the changes early and the second half saw Mavropanos – who clearly took a knock trying to cover the goal as Dalot sent the ball over the bar, Soler and Paqueta subbed for Todibo, Soucek and Summerville.
But before that we were treated to Areola scoring from the corner several times – maybe he should be outfield and take the corners from now on!
And the change of players and tactics reaped their rewards as Summerville stretched out his right leg to guide the ball home from Ings – who was brought on with 20mins to go – miss hit in front of goal.
The crowd went totally wild! Absolutely fantastic and the least we deserved as it was clear our strategy of defending by prioritising attack finally paid dividends after sustained pressure from the Hammers. It was exhilarating!
Casemiro thought he had clinched a draw on the 81st minute, but that was not the end of the story for this match. The crowd wanted more and despite United players continued play acting and time wasting, as they seemed content with a draw, we continued to press.
VAR starred again as the ref, David Coote, was sent pitch side monitor to review a possible penalty on Ings by de Ligt. After over turning his original decision and as he was reviewing the footage, de Ligt and his team mates made their views clear and were stopped from harassing the referee by his assistant. It was shocking to see.
Once the ref had pointed towards the spot, United players began to surround him as he walked to the penalty spots and Onana was reluctant to take his position for the penalty. This needs to stop. The delay contributed to the 12mins added time at the end of the match.
Bowen, to be fair, showed incredible composure to block out this unnecessary chaos and steady himself to place the ball beyond Onana and send the crowd into ecstasy as we all believed we had earned a victory with a second half performance that showed us what we have been missing for too long.
It was an anxious run down to the end of the game, with 12mins added time clocking on to almost 15mins before the ref finally blew his whistle …. followed by rapturous celebrations! As much as United lost this match with the many missed chances in the first half, we won this key match with a second half performance that had the crowd singing and chanting and urging the team on. What an atmosphere.
We didn’t want to leave the stands and waited until almost everyone had left and finally turned away from our seats and out into the early evening low light.
There was so much to talk about as we walked around the ground and I looked out for more interesting shoots. Found this wonderful lady dressed in a Union Jack patterned dress with Bobby Moore’s face spread across the red, white and blue design. Just had to get a shot.
As we now know, this was Ten Hag’s final match in charge of the Reds as the defeat was a final nail in the coffin that leaves Manchester Utd legend Ruud Van Nislroy temporarily taking over.
This could be one of those games that signals the start of our season, a result that fires the team up and performances that finally shows JLo what his best team is and to finally put Summerville in the starting 11 when we play Nottingham Forest this weekend.
Hope you enjoyed my photos and write up of the match.
Be safe everyone
Dawud
From the Stands 