FA Cup
5 January, 2013
West Ham United
Jussi Jaaskelainen
22
Guy Demel
20
James Collins
19
James Tomkins
5
Daniel Potts
33
Alou Diarra
23
Kevin Nolan
4
Jack Collison
10
Joe Cole
26
Ricardo Vaz Te
12
Carlton Cole
9
Substitutes
Matthew Jarvis
7
Matthew Taylor
14
Mark Noble
16
Jordan Spence
27
Winston Reid
2
Raphael Spiegel
30
Elliot Lee
47
Manchester United
1
David De Gea
2
Rafael
6
Jonny Evans
12
Chris Smalling
15
Nemanja Vidic
28
Alexander Buttner
22
Paul Scholes
23
Tom Cleverley
26
Shinji Kagawa
19
Danny Welbeck
14
Javier Hernández
Substitutes
7
Antonio Valencia
11
Ryan Giggs
20
Robin Van Persie
5
Rio Ferdinand
18
Ashley Young
13
Anders Lindegaard
27
Federico Macheda
Referee: Martin Atkinson
© 2013 STATS Europe BV. Any commercial use or distribution without the express written consent of STATS Europe BV is strictly prohibited.
West Ham can count themselves desperately unlucky not to have won this game. They were ahead and looking comfortable only for Robin van Persie to rescue his side once again. The first half went by in a blur, with Cleverley curling Man Utd into the lead, only for Collins to head home a Joe Cole cross four minutes later. The second half was similarly even, and West Ham took the lead through another James Collins header from another Joe Cole cross. United were quiet after that and created little until Giggs found Van Persie to slot home. A replay at Old Trafford beckons.
That's it. Manchester United snatch a draw from the jaws of defeat. West Ham United 2 - 2 Manchester United.
Valencia has a late chance to make Jaaskelainen work, and maybe nick the winner, but lashes his effort over the bar.
Four minutes signalled for either side to win it.
Giggs digs out a superb pass, directly into the path of Van Persie. His control is effortless and he has the strength to hold off Tomkins and slide the ball under the on-rushing Jaaskelainen. Heartbreak for West Ham, but yet another comeback from Man Utd.
The equaliser. The "quiet" Van Persie slots it home. West Ham United 2 - 2 Manchester United.
Man Utd create their first clear chance since West Ham took the lead, and Giggs should score. Rafael whips in a cross, but Giggs heads over.
West Ham United have a superb chance to extend their lead. Noble and Nolan combine in the box, and the ball lands at the feet of Cole, only to be denied by a superb save from De Gea.
Antonio Valencia uses his strength to get past Matt Jarvis, but his cross is well over the head of anybody in the box. Van Persie has been very quiet since his arrival.
Cole holds the ball up well, and releases Jarvis down the left. Nemanja Vidic stays stride for stride with the wide man, but gives away a needless foul as Jarvis protects the ball. And gets a booking.
The game has settled into a pattern of Manchester Utd having the majority of possession, but West Ham denying them any space in the offensive areas of the pitch.
Joe Cole gets a standing ovation as he leaves the pitch to be replaced by Matt Taylor. Two assists tonight for the returning Cole, a good performance.
Fergie changes it all around, with Giggs coming on for Smalling.
Manchester United have a good spell of possession, but can't find a way past the lines of claret shirts set out in front of them. Solid defending from the Hammers.
So far so good for West Ham, as Mark Noble comes on to freshen up the midfield in place of Alou Diarra.
A headed chance for Danny Welbeck sails just over the bar. James Collins did just enough to put him off.
Youngster Daniel Potts has not looked out of place tonight at left-back, as he runs the full length of the pitch to get on the end of a through-ball, but just runs out of turf.
Double substitution for Alex Ferguson, as he looks to turn the game around. No surprise to see Robin van Persie take the place of Javier Hernandez and Antonio Valencia on to replace Scholes.
Matthew Jarvis comes on to replace Ricardo Vaz Te.
Another superb headed goal from West Ham, similar in style to the first. Joe Cole buys himself some space and curls in another wicked cross. James Collins is unmarked and just needs to glance it goalwards. De Gea has no chance once again.
The same combination again. Collins heads home a Joe Cole cross. West Ham United 2 - 1 Manchester United.
Joe Cole gets to the by-line and whips in another superb cross, which Carlton Cole heads goalwards, only to be denied by a flying David de Gea. Man Utd go straight down the other end, and only a superb defensive block denies Kagawa.
Ten minutes into the second half, and neither side is really dominating. Manchester United, as usual, look solid in possession, but are struggling to break down the West Ham defence. The Londoners are working hard for each other as a unit and when they get support to Carlton Cole are looking dangerous.
Carlton Cole is proving a bit of a handful for Nemanja Vidic this evening, using his strength and power to hold off the Serbian defender and earn his side a free-kick. He can be such a good outlet for his side.
Shortly followed by a second, as Cleverley tries to bend one in from the edge of the box. Just over!
Rafael fires in the first Man Utd effort of the second half, right into the midriff of James Collins.
West Ham get the second half underway.
An entertaining half is over in the blink of an eye with the scores level. Both sides are creating chances, and so far you would have to say a draw is a fair result. Manchester United look good when they break with speed, and it was one such attack that allowed Cleverley the space to curl a finish past Jaaskelainen in the West Ham goal. The lead lasted just four minutes, when James Collins headed home an excellent Joe Cole cross. Both sides have had an effort cleared from off the line, and the second half promises more flowing, attacking football.
The referee brings the first half to a close, which slightly annoys West Ham, as they are in a good attacking position. West Ham United 1 - 1 Manchester United.
Carlton Cole twice gets the better of Vidic and almost finds Joe Cole in the box. Some positive signs for West Ham.
When Manchester United are in full flow, some of their play is majestic. The pace and one-touch passing of Welbeck, Kagawa, Hernandez and Cleverly has West Ham defending for their lives.
Ricardo Vaz Te has glory in his eyes, as he leans back and thumps a volley deep in to the crowd. At least his boot stayed on.
A brief stoppage in play while Vaz Te ties his laces...
Great forward play from Carlton Cole. He is completely isolated up front on his own, but collects a long ball on his chest, shows a great turn of pace, and almost gets away from Evans. More importantly he gives his defenders a chance to collect themsleves.
Man Utd break quickly again, and Danny Welbeck finds himself one-on-one with Jaaskelainen, but his shot hits the chest of the West Ham stopper and is cleared to safety.
Chicharito decides to have a go from 30 yards. Perhaps he should stick to efforts from inside the box.
Joe Cole has looked bright on his return the West Ham side. He is playing down the right and looking to get the early ball in towards Carlton Cole. Kevin Nolan wants a penalty as he crumples in a heap following a challenge from Vidic, but the ref is not interested.
West Ham are behind for just four minutes. Jole Cole finds half a yard and whips in a pacey, curling cross. James Collins looses his marker, gets up early, and sends a glancing header into the far corner. De Gea has no chance, game on!
West Ham United back on terms. James Collins with a headed equaliser. West Ham United 1 - 1 Manchester United.
Paul Scholes picks up a booking for a late challenge from behind. He will have to be careful now.
Man Utd hit West Ham on the counter attack, as they break down the right. Cleverley is completely unmarked at the back post, and has the time and the composure to send a curling effort past Jaaskelainen.
Beautifully taken by Tom Cleverley. West Ham United 0 - 1 Manchester United
And it's West Ham's turn to clear one off the line. Daniel Potts is in the right place to hack away a goal-bound header following a needless corner.
Danny Welbeck gets the ball in the back of the net, following a fast, flowing, one-touch passing move from the away side, but Javier Hernandez was correctly signalled offside.
Kevin Nolan gets in behind Vidic from a Carlton Cole flick, but can't get enough on the ball to threaten De Gea's goal.
Paul Scholes makes a cynical foul, but the referee waves play-on, allowing Collison to shoot from range. His effort lacks the pace or accuracy to beat De Gea from there. Scholes gets a ticking off from the referee.
West Ham have a chance of their own from a corner. Alou Diarra powers a header goalwards, only for Scholes to head clear off the line. Carlton Cole looks odds-on to tuck away the rebound, except for a last-minute intervention from Vidic.
An early chance for Man Utd, as Scholes picks out a peach of a pass right into the path of Smalling. Smalling squares the ball towards Hernandez, but the Mexican is an inch or two away from making contact.
Interestingly, Sam Allardyce won both of his first two matches as a manager against Manchester United, while in charge of Bolton, with current West Ham skipper Kevin Nolan a goalscorer in both games. He has not won again since then.
For Man Utd, Van Persie is dropped to the bench, with Danny Welbeck starting in his place. Alexander Buttner gets a run-out in place of Evra, while Vidic and Kagawa get the chance to gain some match fitness on their return from injury.
The big news for the Hammers is the second debut for new old-boy Joe Cole. Winston Reid is dropped to the bench and there are rare appearances for youngster Daniel Potts, and the more experienced Alou Diarra.
Manchester United get the game underway, wearing their changed white strip, with West Ham playing in their usual claret shirts.
Manchester United: David De Gea, Rafael, Jonny Evans, Chris Smalling, Nemanja Vidic, Alexander Buttner, Paul Scholes, Tom Cleverley, Shinji Kagawa, Danny Welbeck, Javier Hernandez. Subs: Anders Lindegaard, Rio Ferdinand, Antonio Valencia, Ryan Giggs, Ryan Giggs, Ashley Young, Robin Van Persie, Federico Macheda.
West Ham: Jussi Jaaskelainen, Guy Demel, James Collins, James Tomkins, Daniel Potts, Alou Diarra, Kevin Nolan, Jack Collison, Joe Cole, Ricardo Vaz Te, Carlton Cole. Subs: Raphael Spiegel, Winston Reid, Matthew Jarvis, Matthew Taylor, Mark Noble, Jordan Spence, Elliot Lee.
Saturday's evening FA Cup clash sees West Ham United host league leaders Manchester United at the Boleyn Ground. Sam Allardyce will be aware that the main focus for the season is ensuring league survival, but a victory against Manchester United could provide his troops with a confidence boost to carry them into the rest of the season. Not that Manchester United will let them have it easy. The Red Devils are always competitive in the FA Cup, and amazingly have not won it since 2004, so it seems unlikely Alex Ferguson will let his side rest on their laurels.
All Hammers eyes could be on Joe Cole, as the West Ham old boy makes a return to his boyhood club, signing on an 18-month contract from Liverpool in time to be in the mix for a place on the team sheet. Andy Carroll is still carrying an injury, and fellow loan signing Marouane Chamakh was not registered in time, so Carlton Cole is likely to lead the attack. Mohamed Diame and George McCartney remain sidelined through injury, and Joey O'Brien is a doubt but James Collins and Kevin Nolan can return after suspension.
Manchester United are set to make a number of changes, and such is the strength of the squad it is quite conceivable that Ferguson could name an entirely different starting line-up from their last game. Wayne Rooney will definitely miss out through injury, while the game may have come slightly too early for the recovering Nani. Darren Fletcher may be in contention for his first appearance in a month, while Kagawa, Vidic, Smalling and Jones all are available as they seek a return to full match fitness.
This will be the eighth FA Cup tie between West Ham United and Manchester United, the east Londoners holding a 4-3 winning record over their illustrious opponents. Overall West Ham United have won 42, drawn 24 and lost 57 of their 123 competitive matches, but eight of the last nine have been victories for the Red Devils – the exception being a 4-0 Hammers victory in the League Cup in 2010. New Hammers signing Joe Cole will have fond memories of playing against Ferguson's men in the FA Cup, having been a teenager in the team that stunned Man Utd in the 2001 fourth round.
West Ham have won eight and lost just two of their last 13 home games in the FA Cup, while Man United have won four of their last six FA Cup matches when away to fellow Premier League teams. In the league, West Ham have won only once in five since a 3-1 demolition of Chelsea at the start of December, whereas Man Utd are undefeated in their last six, the only blemish being a 1-1 draw with Swansea.
Martin Atkinson will take control of the game today. He has officiated 25 matches in all competitions this season, brandishing 94 yellow cards and 1 red, as well as awarding 5 penalties. The Leeds-based whistleblower has overseen West Ham twice this season – the 3-1 at home to Chelsea and the 3-0 loss away to Swansea. For Manchester United, he took charge in the 3-2 win over Manchester City at the Etihad in December.