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What the hell was that?! Manchester United and West Ham produced a ludicrous script on Sunday, featuring a West Ham opener, a Cristiano Ronaldo response, an 89th-minute winner and a 90+4’ penalty save off a 90+3’ substitute.
Let’s do the late dramatics first, beginning in the 89th minute with Jesse Lingard curling home United’s go-ahead goal after jinking inside.
Remember that Lingard reignited his career while on loan at West Ham last season, scoring nine goals and providing five assists in 16 appearances after arriving in January. David Moyes wanted to make the transfer permanent, but Ole Gunnar Solskjær wanted the 28-year-old in his squad this campaign.
He didn’t start the game, coming on as a substitute in the 73rd-minute, but London Stadium applauded him on his introduction and Lingard refused to celebrate his screamer.
WHAT A STRIKE. Jesse Lingard gives Manchester United a late lead! #MyPLMorning pic.twitter.com/KOvXJgd04J
— NBC Sports Soccer (@NBCSportsSoccer) September 19, 2021
But in the third minute of stoppage time, the VAR told the referee (Martin Atkinson) to head to the monitor to look at a possible handball in the area on Luke Shaw. Atkinson agreed, and West Ham had a penalty with the last kick of the match.
Incredibly, Moyes looked down his bench and pointed to 34-year-old captain Mark Noble. His logic was clear enough. Over the course of his career, Noble had converted 38 penalties and missed only four.
But brining on a player at the 90+4’ mark is always risky business, no matter how experienced they are. David de Gea proved superior.
DE GEA SAVES THE PENALTY TO WIN IT FOR UNITED. pic.twitter.com/HTPmhqaARF
— NBC Sports Soccer (@NBCSportsSoccer) September 19, 2021
“It was the last minute, I made the save,” De Gea said. “A massive three points for us. Going through my head was ‘save the ball.’ It was a really tough game, both teams had good chances, again a great goal from Jesse. It is a massive three points. In the dressing room we said the three points were the most important thing.”
It’s a huge win for the Red Devils, bringing them level with Liverpool at the top of the table on 13 points from five matches.
Saïd Benrahma got the opener for West Ham at the half-hour mark.
But Ronaldo, who was again impressive with seven shots and a couple penalty appeals, leveled for Manchester United just five minutes later.
The Red Devils and Hammers meet again on Wednesday in the EFL Cup. Manchester United then plays Aston Villa in the league on Saturday. West Ham plays Leeds United that same day.
