Manchester United Vs West Ham: FA Cup (1 - 1) Full Time

The first half was boring, the second was breathless. Dimitri Payet scored a free-kick that was as near to perfection as dammit – Paul Scholes reckons David De Gea should have saved it, mind you – and Anthony Martial scored a deceptively accomplished equaliser from close range.

Both were controversial goals: Payet might have been sent off just before his goal, while Bastian Schweinsteiger fouled the goalkeeper Randolph just before Martial scored. Both teams will be happy enough to have a second chance, and they’ll sleep well tonight after a wild, desperate and richly enjoyable second half.

Once again the lack of speed and penetration must have been alarming for the Old Trafford crowd but Van Gaal’s players did show perseverance and, more than anything, they never panicked even when they were losing and heading towards another sizeable inquest. As well as Schweinsteiger, Memphis Depay was also brought on in the 75th minute. There was no choice really but for the home side to start playing with more ambition but even after Martial’s goal they stuttered to the final whistle, with West Ham forcing a succession of late corners and De Gea turning away Michail Antonio’s low drive.




Theguardian