Manchester United travelled to West Ham United on Monday looking to make it six straight wins in the Premier League.
West Ham were controversially reduced to 10 men in the 15th minute when Sofiane Feghouli was sent from the field for a late challenge on Phil Jones, but the two teams ended the first period on level terms.
Juan Mata eventually sent Man United ahead just past the hour, however, before Zlatan Ibrahimovic added a second in the 78th minute as the Red Devils continued their brilliant run of form.
Read how it all unfolded in Sports Mole's minute-by-minute live commentary of the action below.
Afternoon all! Sports Mole's live Premier League coverage continues from the London Stadium and it is a real cracker of an affair as West Ham United welcome Manchester United. The Hammers have won their last two league games on home soil, but Man United will enter this match off the back of five straight league victories as they close on the top four. Should be an entertaining fixture here!
West Ham are actually unbeaten in their last four Premier League meetings with Man United, but they have never gone five games unbeaten against the Red Devils in their English league history. Earlier this season, the two teams shared the points in a 1-1 draw at Old Trafford in the league, but Man United were 4-1 winners at Old Trafford when the pair met in the League Cup on November 30.
West Ham damaged Man United's top-four hopes when the pair met at Upton Park towards the end of last season, with the Hammers recording a 3-2 victory. There have been some cracking fixtures between these two teams in recent seasons and to be honest, the two clubs just do not like each other. Both sets of supporters will be absolutely desperate for the points this afternoon.
Right, without further ado, let me bring you up-to-speed with the all-important team news from the London Stadium. Both teams were in action on Saturday and as a result, changes are almost certain. Let's take a look at the two XIs that will take to the field on this cold, late afternoon in the English capital...
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TEAMS!
WEST HAM: Randolph; Nordtveit, Reid, Ogbonna, Cresswell; Kouyate, Obiang; Feghouli, Lanzini, Payet; Antonio
UNITED: De Gea; Valencia, Jones, Rojo, Darmian; Carrick, Herrera, Pogba; Lingard, Ibrahimovic, Mkhitaryan
West Ham boss Slaven Bilic has made three changes to the team that lost 1-0 at Leicester City on Saturday, with Pedro Obiang, Sofiane Feghouli and Manuel Lanzini replacing Mark Noble, Andy Carroll and Andre Ayew. It appears that Michail Antonio will start as the central striker for the Hammers, with Dimitri Payet, Feghouli and Lanzini offering support from a deep position. It is the same back five that lost at Leicester, which means that Havard Nordtveit continues at right-back.
As for Man United, Jose Mourinho has made five changes to the team that beat Middlesbrough at the weekend. Phil Jones, Marcos Rojo and Matteo Darmian all come into the back four in place of Eric Bailly, Chris Smalling and Daley Blind, while Jesse Lingard and Michael Carrick replace Anthony Martial and Marouane Fellaini. Zlatan Ibrahimovic will once again lead the line for the Red Devils.
So there we have it. The two teams are in and we are now just about 40 minutes from kickoff at the London Stadium. I shall talk about the home side a little bit later, but let's start with Man United, who are absolutely flying at the moment. The Red Devils will enter this match off the back of five straight league wins, but they are incredibly still in sixth position in the Premier League table.
Mourinho's side have not lost a competitive match in any competition since a 2-1 defeat at Fenerbahce in the Europa League on November 3. It is now 12 games unbeaten for the Red Devils, 10 of which have been in the Premier League. They drew three straight games against Arsenal, West Ham and Everton between November 19 and December 4, but have won their last five.
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A 1-0 home victory over Tottenham on December 11 was the start of Man United's winning run, before they recorded wins away to Crystal Palace and West Brom to build some momentum. Then came a 3-1 success at home to Sunderland on Boxing Day, before a late, late show from Martial and Pogba helped them beat Middlesbrough 2-1 at the weekend. That was a really big three points.
Indeed, Boro led into the final five minutes of their clash at Old Trafford, but Martial equalised in the 85th minute, before Pogba headed the winner less than 60 seconds later. It was a massive three points for Man United, but they are somehow still sixth in the Premier League table – four points behind fourth-place Arsenal and a massive 13 points behind the runaway leaders Chelsea.
Man United are now unbeaten in their last four on the road, but the Red Devils have not gone five unbeaten in the Premier League since February 2015. Their winning run is going to come to an end at some point, but they will be desperate for another three points here ahead of their next Premier League match at home to bitter rivals Liverpool on January 15, which is going to be some match-up.
Congratulations to @D_DeGea on a landmark appearance for #MUFC! #DaveSaves pic.twitter.com/4Pa1F67Kys — Manchester United (@ManUtd) January 2, 2017
It is a very busy period for Mourinho's side as they prepare to take on Reading in the third round of the FA Cup on January 7, in addition to hosting Hull City in the first leg of their League Cup semi-final on January 10. There is no question that Mourinho will need to utilise his squad in the coming weeks, especially with the Europa League also returning next month. The atmosphere is building here!
As for West Ham, the Hammers suffered four league defeats and failed to win between October 30 and December 3, which included a humiliating 5-1 loss at home to Arsenal. However, they have been much improved in recent weeks – drawing 2-2 at Liverpool on December 11 before winning three straight league fixtures against Burnley, Hull City and Swansea City to move clear of the drop zone.
Bilic's side did suffer a setback at the weekend, however, as they lost 1-0 at champions Leicester. A total of 22 points from 19 league matches has left the Hammers in 12th position in the table – seven points clear of the relegation zone and actually just two points off ninth-place Bournemouth, who play Arsenal tomorrow. It is amazing what three straight wins can do to a team's position in the table.
.@dimpayet17 + @Michailantonio = Goals!#COYi pic.twitter.com/yxZ5QCxNqG — West Ham United (@WestHamUtd) January 2, 2017
In terms of what is ahead for the Hammers, they will host Manchester City in the third round of the FA Cup on January 6, before welcoming Palace in the league on January 14. They will then travel to Middlesbrough on January 21, before opening February with a home game against Man City. Compared to a lot of teams, West Ham are not actually that busy in the month of January.
There is no getting away from the fact that West Ham have struggled at the London Stadium this season, despite winning their last two. They were extremely fortunate to beat Hull on December 17 and have only managed nine league goals in this stadium this season, which is the joint-worst record in the division. Right, we are now very, very close to kickoff in the English capital!
You just get the feeling that the first goal tonight - if there indeed is one - could be vital. Man United struggled away to West Ham last season, but Upton Park is a very different prospect to the London Stadium. The pitch is massive, and Man United are well used to that at Old Trafford.
KICKOFF! West Ham kick things off on home soil...
... it must be said that there is a wonderful atmosphere inside the stadium. Can West Ham continue their decent recent run against Man United? Be sure to stay tuned to find out. The pocket of Man United supporters can be heard as they chant 'United, United' in the early stages of this match.
'Come on you Irons' comes from the home supporters as West Ham look to stem Man United's early possession of the football. The away side will expect to dominate the ball for long spells, but West Ham have a lot of pace and invention in the final third. Considered start to this game.
Not an awful lot to report in the opening six minutes of this match, but West Ham have started to enjoy some decent possession in the Man United half of the field. Eventually Payet, who had found a bit of space, has a pop from distance, but his effort was always moving wide of De Gea's post.
Valencia is a massive man and the right-back uses his strength to hold Cresswell off the ball after the West Ham left-back had looked to deliver a cross. Not many will out-muscle Valencia.
Payet again threatens as he dances past a couple of challenges before having a pop, but Man United crowd out the Frenchman and his effort is deflected into the arms of De Gea.
SAVE! De Gea has to get down and make a really smart save from Lanzini after Payet had found the attacker in a very dangerous position. Man United were really undone there.
Possession football from Man United in the last couple of minutes as they pass and probe in the West Ham half of the field, but the visitors are yet to create a clear opening at the London Stadium. West Ham have shaded the opening 13 minutes and have indeed had the clearest opportunity here.
RED CARD! FEGHOULI!
West Ham are down to 10 men as Feghouli is sent from the field for a late challenge on Jones. It seemed very, very harsh. Feghouli goes for the ball and Mike Dean hands out a surprise red!
The home supporters are incensed here as Lingard dives into Kouyate, but Dean is not interested and waves play on. My word, the atmosphere is changed in the last couple of minutes. There is no question that was very harsh on Feghouli, who went for the ball and somehow received a red card.
Randolph scoops one away at the far post as Man United press forward in search of the opening goal. Eventually Herrera delivers another from a wide position and Randolph is on hand to collect. There is not a very nice atmosphere at the moment as West Ham look to contain the visitors here.
Possession football from Man United as they continue to pass and probe, but West Ham are defending well at the moment as they force the likes of Valencia and Darmian into traffic.
You just get the feeling that the first goal - if there indeed is one - is going to be vital in this match. Man United will really fancy it if they manage to take the lead, but West Ham could play on the counter-attack if they were to find an opening goal. Still goalless with 24 minutes on the clock.
All Man United in terms of possession, but no real chances for the away side here.
Man United again build down the right and Valencia has all sorts of space to deliver a cross, but Reid is on hand to clear as the final ball is poor once again. West Ham would have really fancied their chances with 11 men, but they are just not seeing enough of the ball at the moment here.
West Ham just cannot seem to get up the field at the moment as Man United continue to pass and probe, but the away side are not threatening to take the lead, which is a positive for the hosts. Antonio, meanwhile, has just given Rojo the slip in a wide position before delivering a dangerous cross.
BOOKING! Payet (West Ham) is booked for dissent.
It is all very narrow for Man United as they continue to pass and probe without getting any real joy. West Ham, meanwhile, are looking threatening when Antonio has the chance to turn and run. Still goalless with 31 minutes on the clock and aside from the red card, not too much has happened.
Little over 10 minutes of the first period remaining and there is not too much happening at the moment. The atmosphere is very low and it has been a pretty poor game if we are all honest.
Ibrahimovic comes very deep to receive the ball and ends up firing a pass straight out of play, which sums up the overall quality of this match. The home supporters are doing their best to raise their team, but with 10 men, it is going to be very difficult as the game continues to progress here.
CHANCE! Incredible chance for Man United as Ibrahimovic delivers a brilliant cross towards Mkhitaryan, who squares back to Valencia, but Randolph somehow makes a super save on the line. Everyone waits for the watch and it does not go off. No goal, somehow.
CHANCE! Ibrahimovic is onside as he breaks the West Ham defence, but he fires over the crossbar. Finally Man United are starting to create some chances in this match.
Massive five minutes coming up here as West Ham look to keep things level entering the half-time break. Man United really should be ahead following a couple of good chances, but it is still 0-0.
Poor from Darmian as the Man United left-back strays offside and allows West Ham some respite following a difficult period for the home side. West Ham might be down to 10 men, but they are heading for the interval at 0-0 and that can be taken as a real positive at this stage.
BOOKING! Darmian (Man United) is booked for a late challenge on Antonio.
Well, it has been a pretty poor first period and it is almost over.
SAVE! De Gea has to dive across to keep out a super Lanzini effort!
We are into the first of two additional minutes at the end of the first period.
Mourinho is not happy and he has sent Fellaini, Mata and Martial to warm-up ahead of the second period. It would not be a surprise to see the Portuguese make at least one change at the break.
HALF-TIME: West Ham 0-0 Man United
So there we have it. The referee brings the first period to a close with the two teams level at 0-0. Overall, it has been a pretty poor first half and the main talking point was actually a quite bizarre call from referee Mike Dean, who sent West Ham's Feghouli from the field in the 15th minute following a collision with Jones. Both players went for the ball and it was more clumsy than anything else!
STATISTICS! Man United have dominated the possession with 64%, while they have had three attempts, but just one of those was on target. West Ham, meanwhile, hit the target with one of their six attempts in the first period. In addition to Feghouli's red card, there have been a couple of yellows - Payet in the book for West Ham and Darmian for Man United. It has been an untidy game!
BENCH WATCH! West Ham boss Bilic has plenty of attacking options on his bench this afternoon, with Carroll, Ayew, Fernandes, Fletcher and Noble all capable of making an impact for the home side. Mourinho, meanwhile, looked fuming when he headed down the tunnel at the break and it would not be a surprise to see one of Fellaini, Mata, Rashford or Martial at the interval here.
West Ham are down to 10 men, but there is nothing else to separate the teams at the break #WHUMUN pic.twitter.com/qFbR1LLa6C
— Premier League (@premierleague) January 2, 2017
RESTART! Man United resume the action here...
... MAN UNITED SUB! Mata replaces Darmian for the away side.
Carrick has gone into centre-back for the away side, with Rojo moving to the left. Very brave call from Mourinho, but he is paid to make those decisions. Big second period for both teams.
Lingard curls one over the crossbar from just outside the West Ham box.
West Ham are so, so deep at the moment as Man United continue to boss the ball, but a poor cross from Lingard allows the home side to restart with a goal kick. Antonio continues to lead the line for West Ham and his pace could prove key as the Hammers look to gain some ground here.
Kouyate flies into a shocking challenge with Mkhitaryan, but the referee does not produce a card. It is an awful tackle from the midfielder, but Mike Dean's head is really jumbled at the moment.
CHANCE! Antonio gets his head on a super free kick from Payet, but the England man's effort is wide of the post. Really should have found the back of the net there.
You can almost see West Ham taking the lead in this match, which would see them drop even deeper and make it more difficult for Man United to find a way through. Martial and Rashford are still warming up for the visitors and I suspect that we could see both of them in this match.
Rashford has his training top off and will soon join the action at the London Stadium.
MAN UNITED SUB! Rashford replaces Lingard, who has been poor here.
A point would be an excellent result for West Ham considering that they went down to 10 men in the 15th minute, but it would be a poor outcome for Man United, who have to do so much more.
SAVE! Super save from De Gea once again as the Spanish goalkeeper keeps out Antonio, who just had to score after being sent through by Lanzini. Excellent De Gea!
Ibrahimovic is once again offside as Mata attempts to find the big Swede. Man United are very lucky to still be level in this match and they needed their brilliant goalkeeper to stand strong there.
GOAL! West Ham 0-1 Man United (Mata)
Man United make the breakthrough in the 63rd minute of this match as Rashford drives down the line before stopping and delivering into Mata, who sweeps the ball into the far corner!
MAN UNITED SUB! Smalling replaces Mkhitaryan for Man United here.
You just get the feeling that there are more goals in this match and West Ham still have a big threat on the counter-attack. Carroll, Ayew and Noble, meanwhile, are all available for Bilic here.
Pogba looks to thread one into the bottom corner and his effort is just wide of the post!
Carroll is about to enter the field for West Ham, which is not a surprise.
WEST HAM SUB! Carroll replaces Payet for the home side.
De Gea comes out his goal to smash the ball into the stands as West Ham look to hit back and in fairness, the home side are causing plenty of problems at the moment. Still a lot of football to be played at the London Stadium and the visitors have made all three of their substitutions here.
Little over 15 minutes of football remaining at the London Stadium and you just get the feeling that there is another goal in this match, with West Ham really committing numbers forward now.
CLOSE! Pogba's low effort is just wide of the far post after another super Rashford pass. That really should have been game, set and match for the away side.
BOOKING! Valencia (Man United) is booked for a foul on Lanzini.
West Ham, as expected, are looking long with every free kick at the moment and Carroll is having some joy up against Jones and Smalling. All it takes is one high ball for Carroll to attack.
SAVE! Rashford is denied by Randolph, who needs the post to keep it out! Almost a horror moment from the West Ham goalkeeper, but he manages to make the save.
GOAL! West Ham 0-2 Man United (Ibrahimovic)
Man United score their second of the match in the 78th minute as Ibrahimovic hammers home from inside the box after Obiang failed to clear, but the striker looked to be in an offside position!
Carroll goes up to challenge De Gea, but Jones is on hand to clear his lines as Man United look to survive. One goal for West Ham at this stage would surely set up a grandstand finish here.
WEST HAM SUB! Fernandes replaces Kouyate for the home side.
Little over five minutes remaining at the London Stadium and it must be said that there are a lot of empty seats. West Ham are staring straight at a second successive Premier League defeat.
SAVE! Randolph is down to keep out Herrera's powerful volley!
Not an awful lot to report in terms of chances in the last few moments as Man United sit deep and look to hold off West Ham, who had a go at 1-0, but that second goal has really hurt them. They will point to some poor decisions from the officials this afternoon when looking back at this match.
Man United have a free kick in a dangerous area following a handball from Reid...
... WEST HAM SUB! Ayew replaces Lanzini for the home side.
Ibrahimovic smashes the ball straight into the West Ham wall.
We are into the first of three additional minutes here.
BOOKING! Nordtveit (West Ham) is booked for a poor tackle on Rashford.
Plenty of empty seats around the stadium as we enter the final minute of action at the London Stadium. Man United are going to make it six straight wins in the Premier League.
FULL-TIME: West Ham 0-2 Man United
So there we have it. The referee brings the second period to a close with Man United running out 2-0 winners over 10-man West Ham courtesy of second-half goals from Mata and Ibrahimovic. It is tough on West Ham, who had some decisions go against them, but Man United deserved to win all things considered. Thanks for joining Sports Mole for the action once again. See you soon!
