Manchester United reclaimed top spot in the Premiership this afternoon in a thrilling encounter at Upton Park where they overcame a battling West Ham 5-3. In a non-stop, action-packed 90 minutes, the Hammers took the lead twice in the first-half only to see United draw level. However, in the second-half, United went 4-2 up but when Hammers' substitute Jermain Defoe pulled a goal back for the home side, the champions had to endure a nervous spell before a penalty from David Beckham in the closing stages secured victory.
West Ham opened the scoring after a mere seven minutes when a high cross from Vladimir Labant found Steve Lomas at the far post and the Northern Ireland international somehow rose above Mikael Silvestre and produce a powerful header that Fabien Barthez could only push on to the bar and into his own net.
United drew level ten minutes later after Joe Cole lost possession and the loose ball was intercepted by Paul Scholes. He released Beckham down the right flank and the England captain coolly lobbed the advancing David James. But the Red Devils' joy was short-lived as West Ham took the lead for a second time just two minutes later when Frederic Kanoute fired home Sebastian Schemmel's low cross.
Much to the home supporters' disbelief, United were level at 2-2 just over 60 seconds later and with less than 20 minutes on the clock. This time, Beckham turned provider with a free-kick that Nicky Butt converted from close range.
In the second-half, United finally found themselves in front on 55 minutes. Ole Gunnar Solskjaer escaped the challenges of Repka and Nigel Winterburn before cutting the ball back for the unmarked Scholes who netted from close range. United now found themselves in control as they dragged the Hammers' defence around the park and after such an impressive start, West Ham gave away a farcical goal to the visitors to go 4-2 down.
James failed to deal with an inswinging cross from Beckham and Ruud van Nistelrooy and then Solskjaer threatened before the Norwegian finally scored from his second effort. With 12 minutes to go, West Ham gave their supporters a glimmer of hope when Defoe scored from a Kanoute cross just four minutes after coming on. The Hammers launced an all-out attack on the United goalmouth for the final 10 minutes but with just two minutes plus stoppage time left, it was United who added to their tally after referee Mark Halsey called for a penalty when Repka brought down Scholes in the area and Beckham confidently slotted home the spot-kick.
Filed by Amanda Fennelly
