Manchester United have gone level on points with Arsenal at the top of the Premiership table following a comfortable 3-0 victory over struggling West Ham. Two goals in quick succession from Ole Gunnar Solskjaer and Juan Sebastian Veron sent United on their way and a second-half own goal from Sebastien Schemmel secured all three points for the hosts. Arsenal don't play until tomorrow when they take on bitter rivals Tottenham Hotspur at White Hart Lane.
West Ham were the last side to have prevented a United victory - they drew 1-1 at Upton Park on November 17 - but since then Alex Ferguson's men have put together a six-match winning streak and it seemed unlikely that would end today with the visit of the Hammers.
The first goal arrived after just 15 minutes of play. Gary Neville played in a great cross to the head of Solskjaer and although the Norweigan's effort wasn't the best, the ball took enough of a deflection of the arm of defender Tomas Repka to deceive David James in the goalmouth.
Within two minutes, United had doubled their lead after Juan Sebastian Veron's free-kick about 30 yards out on the right of the field curled inside the far post, giving James no chance.
West Ham started the second-half brightly, despite the up-hill battled they faced but on the hour mark, United extended their advantage to three goals when Paul Scholes supplied Gary Neville and his low cross into the box was turned into his own goal by Schemmel who was under pressure from an advancing Ryan Giggs.
Overall, it was one of United's easiest victories in their seven-match unbeaten run as West Ham looked overawed by the task in hand and they remain rooted to the bottom of the Premiership table while their opponents today are now looking dangerous as the race for the title begins to heat up.
Filed by Amanda Fennelly
