We were robbed…

Manchester United 2 West Ham 1

It's in to the World's End to watch this one on the TV while I recover from painful dental surgery — and now have another tooth to grind while watching West Ham. Nigel's up in Manchester with his mate Reg, who needs to visit Old Trafford to complete his 90th ground. He reports lots of tourists and half and half scarves.

The Hammers start well as United look jaded. Anderson scores with a twisting volley in the box only to see it ruled out for offside. Replays later suggest Dalot' is playing him onside, though it's a tight call. Then United get a very soft penalty as Snodgrass lightly brushes Mata who collapses in a heap. Pogba duly scores. But even so the Irons continue to attack and force a series of corners, with Rice, Lanzini and Anderson starting to dominate midfield. Anderson sees a header just miss and a low cross saved by De Gea's foot.

Early in the second half the Hammers score a deserved equaliser as Lanzini's cross is swept home at the far post by a gleeful Anderson for his first goal in 14 games. It's the Irons' first away goal this year from open play.

Rashford improves United a little and forces a fine low save from Fabianski. But then it gets silly. Sub Antonio powers through the home defence and whacks the bar. Then a few minutes later Antonio's downward header is sensationally tipped over the bar by De Gea.

At this point my inner pessimist starts to think that as we should be 3-1 up we'll probably go and lose it. Sure enough, Martial gets free in the box and sub Fredericks brings him down with a late tackle, although he does nick a little bit of the ball. With hindsight Pellegrini should have kept Zabaleta on, who was having a good game. Pogba dispatches his second penalty. Still we force a few late corners but United limp home.

West Ham should never have lost this and had no luck at all, but it was a much improved performance. Though where it came from escapes me. But at least it gives us some hope for the final four matches. Irons!