Last Update: May 08, 2023, 02:38 IST
United, who had suffered the pain of conceding a last-gasp penalty in their mid-week defeat at Brighton, had been buoyed by Arsenal’s 2–0 win at third-placed Newcastle earlier in the day. (Image: Man Utd FC / Twitter)
De Gea’s mistake happened on a day when he became the top goalscorer in Manchester United’s history.
David de Gea pulled off a great goalkeeping brace as Manchester United suffered a 1-0 defeat at West Ham on Sunday that threatened to reverse their season.
Only days ago United were favorites to finish in the top four of the Premier League and qualify for next season’s Champions League, but they are now floundering while the Hammers look safe from relegation.
The result hinged on a disastrous first-half error by de Gea, who in the 27th minute parried a low shot past Said Bananarama after his team had largely dominated the opening period.
De Gea’s error came on a day when he became the goalscorer in Manchester United’s history, overtaking Alex Stepney for the 540th time.
United, who had suffered the pain of conceding a last-gasp penalty in their mid-week defeat at Brighton, had been buoyed by Arsenal’s 2–0 win at third-placed Newcastle earlier in the day.
But although they are still fourth, they are now just one point ahead of red-hot Liverpool, although they still have a game in hand.
West Ham, who play in the Europa Conference League semi-finals this week, are seven points off the drop zone.
David Moyes’ Hammers made a bright start in east London, rocking United before a rapid counter-attack from the visitors ended when Marcus Rashford scored.
With United picking up steam, Bruno Fernandes and then Antony came close.
Rashford hit the outside of the post after cutting in from the left in the 17th minute as the visitors continued to probe.
– De Gia error –
But West Ham took the lead against the run of play when Bananarama’s weak shot from distance somehow went wide and into the arms of De Gea.
The Spaniard appeared to cover it but his footwork didn’t seem right and his arm was not strong enough to keep the ball out despite reaching it.
He lay on the turf while West Ham celebrated, unable to understand what had happened.
De Gea has had a mixed season – he is the Golden Glove frontrunner for most clean sheets in the Premier League – but has also made some costly mistakes.
United struck the post again in the 32nd minute, when the lively Antony’s powerful drive was deflected into the woodwork and back.
Erik ten Haag’s team, which has just 49 goals this season – the second fewest in the top nine – managed 11 shots in the first half but only one on target.
As the clock ticked down to half-time, De Gea denied Benarhama a second before a huge penalty appeal for a handball against Victor Lindelof, which was disallowed by referee Peter Banks.
De Gea saved Tomas Soucek’s shot at the near post in the opening minutes of the second half and a few minutes later West Ham put the ball into the net again, but the referee blew it off for a foul on De Gea by Michaël Antonio.
United were wobbly, looking to rock backwards every time the home side put them under pressure.
Soucek headed the ball into the net in less than 20 minutes but the goal was disallowed for offside.
United knew they would have to go for the break and Ten Haag threw on Jadon Sancho and Marcel Sabitzer, before bringing on Anthony Martial for the ineffective Wout Weghorst.
But although he enjoyed good periods of possession, he looked largely ineffective in attack.
Martial burst through early in the eight minute of stoppage time but his shot was cleared away by Lukasz Fabianski and United ran out of time.
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(This story has not been edited by News18 staff and is published from a syndicated news agency feed)
