[MATCH HIGHLIGHT/REPORT] West Ham 2-1 Manchester United

 [HIGHLIGHT] West Ham 2-1 Manchester United: Bowen's Controversial Penalty Seals Dramatic Victory...

• The late penalty awarded to West Ham following a VAR review of a challenge between Matthijs de Ligt and Danny Ings has sparked debate. Referee David Coote's decision, which United players vehemently contested, underscores ongoing concerns about the clarity and consistency of VAR interventions in crucial moments.
• United's inability to convert numerous scoring opportunities, highlighted by Diogo Dalot's glaring miss, reflects a deeper issue with their attacking efficiency. With only eight goals this season, their lack of finishing composure raises questions about their offensive capabilities under Erik ten Hag.
• The impact of West Ham's halftime substitutions was pivotal in their turnaround. Manager Julen Lopetegui's tactical changes revitalised the team, enabling them to seize control in the second half and ultimately secure a vital victory, showcasing their ability to adapt and compete against top teams.

In a thrilling encounter at the London Stadium, Jarrod Bowen's controversial 90th-minute penalty lifted West Ham to a crucial 2-1 win over Manchester United, propelling the Hammers above Erik ten Hag's side in the Premier League standings.

Dramatic Finale

The match saw Crysencio Summerville put West Ham ahead with a well-timed finish, capitalising on United's lacklustre first-half display. Casemiro equalized for the visitors, seemingly rescuing a point. However, the drama unfolded late in the game when referee David Coote was sent to the pitchside monitor by VAR Michael Oliver to review a challenge involving Matthijs de Ligt and Danny Ings. After a lengthy review, Coote determined there was enough contact to award a penalty, much to the frustration of United's players. Bowen kept his composure to slot the penalty home, sealing a vital win for the Hammers.

Missed Opportunities Haunt United

Manchester United's performance was marred by missed chances, with Diogo Dalot notably firing a miss-of-the-season contender over an unguarded goal. Despite dominating possession and creating numerous opportunities, including Alejandro Garnacho hitting the bar, United failed to convert their chances. Ten Hag lamented the team's inability to score, stating, "At this moment, the luck is definitely not on our side." 

The game showcased United's ongoing struggle in the final third, as they have only scored eight goals this season, placing them among the league's lowest in that category. The discrepancy between their expected goals and actual goals scored indicates a lack of finishing composure.

Tactical Changes Spark West Ham

West Ham's transformation came after a triple substitution at halftime, with Lucas Paquetá, Konstantinos Mavropanos, and Carlos Soler entering the fray. Manager Julen Lopetegui noted, "In the second half, we changed and we deserved to win the second half." The changes revitalized the Hammers, allowing them to exert more control and capitalize on United's defensive lapses.

The match also highlighted the defensive fragility of both sides, with West Ham's Edson Álvarez even heading against his own post earlier in the game. Lopetegui praised his team's resilience, stating, "When they equalized, we didn't get down and we were able to beat one of the best teams in the world."

Looking Ahead

With this win, West Ham moves up to 13th place in the Premier League, while United's woes deepen, leaving them with just one win in their last eight matches across all competitions. Ten Hag’s side must regroup and address their finishing problems to avoid further scrutiny as the season progresses. 

As the pressure mounts on Ten Hag, the upcoming fixtures will be crucial for both teams as they aim to turn their fortunes around in this competitive league.

Here are the some quotes from the managers:

1. Erik ten Hag: "At this moment, the luck is definitely not on our side."

2. Julen Lopetegui: "In the second half, we changed and we deserved to win the second half."

3. Julen Lopetegui: "When they equalized, we didn't get down and we were able to beat one of the best teams in the world."

[HIGHLIGHT]