Hammers Hammered: Man United Run Riot at the London Stadium
It was a classic case of "David vs Goliath" at the London Stadium on Sunday, but in this match, the giant Goliath, Manchester United, absolutely crushed West Ham. United were on fire, scoring three goals in the first half and adding another two in the second to secure a dominant 5-1 win.
The Red Devils were absolutely buzzing right from the kickoff, dominating possession and creating chance after chance. The Hammers, on the other hand, looked shell-shocked and couldn't seem to get into the game. It was all downhill for West Ham after they conceded a penalty in the 10th minute, which Bruno Fernandes coolly slotted home.
Things went from bad to worse for the Hammers just 10 minutes later when Marcus Rashford doubled United's lead with a cracking volley. And just before half-time, Antony added a third goal to put the game beyond any doubt.
The second half was more of the same, with United continuing to control the game and creating more chances. A fourth goal from a deflected shot by Casemiro and a fifth from Alejandro Garnacho sealed a truly dominant performance from Erik ten Hag's men.
The only bright spot for West Ham was a consolation goal from Said Benrahma, who slotted home a penalty after Aaron Wan-Bissaka brought down Lucas Paqueta. But that was about it for the Hammers.
This was a massive statement win for Man United, who showed just how dominant they can be when they're firing on all cylinders. West Ham, on the other hand, will need to regroup quickly if they want to keep their hopes of a top-four finish alive.
Here are some key takeaways from the match:
Man United's Attack Is Deadly
The Red Devils' front three of Rashford, Antony, and Garnacho were simply unplayable. They combined beautifully, creating chance after chance and keeping the Hammers' defenders on their toes. It's clear that Erik ten Hag has built a truly formidable attacking force at Old Trafford.
West Ham's Defense Is Vulnerable
The Hammers have struggled defensively this season, and this match was no exception. They were easily carved open by United's attack and conceded far too many clear-cut chances. If they want to improve their results, they need to shore up their defense.
Manchester United Are Title Contenders
This performance against a strong West Ham side showed that Man United are serious contenders for the Premier League title. They have the quality, the depth, and the momentum to challenge Arsenal and Manchester City for the top spot. It's going to be a thrilling race for the title, and Man United are firmly in the mix.
This match was a reminder of the vast gulf in class between the two teams. Man United are playing with an incredible swagger and confidence, while West Ham are struggling to find their rhythm. It will be interesting to see how both teams perform in their upcoming matches.