Premier LeagueManchester United 0-2 West Ham United
Sunday, 11th May 2025
by Chris Wilkerson
A fabulous West Ham performance finally saw them break their winless run and get a deserved victory as goals from Soucek and Bowen were enough to give the Hammers a 2-0 win at Old Trafford, lifting them above their hosts in doing a first league double over Manchester United since a famous Tevez goal in 2007.
Graham Potter's side were comfortable and confident on the ball, always secure in defence, and worked tirelessly from start to finish to outplay the Red Devils and earn a comprehensive victory that takes them to 15th in the Premier League table.Without a win in eight, you could forgive this team for lacking confidence. But performances have been steadily improving, and a result like this has felt like it was coming.
The home side were a little stronger than maybe was expected after this midweek win in Europe, but it mattered little. Instead of youngsters trying to make their mark, it was the usual guard that have found life in the Premier League far too much this season. They did so again here, with star names like Fernandes and Mainoo struggling to make any impact.
West Ham did make changes from last week's disappointing point at home to Manchester United's Europa League final opponents Tottenham Hotspur, as Coufal and Ward-Prowse were joined by the surprising return of Guido Rodriguez, who has had two minutes in two games since his last start in the 2-1 win over Fulham in January. Out went Emerson, Paquet?? and Fullkrug.
It was the visitors who had the better of the first half, and from the off looked comfortable in their surroundings. This was no team overwhelmed by the setting, nor the opponent, both of which have found their force faded more than ever this season. Whatever Old Trafford once was to visiting teams, it no longer is, and it will be that most fans who travelled to back the away side have never seen a Manchester United team so meek and in such malaise.
That should not take away from the accomplishment of three points and consummate poise shown by Potter's Hammers on a sunny, mid-May afternoon. It feels like everything the manager is doing currently, as this season fades away forgettably, is about his team and their development, rather than outright concern for their opponents.
Progress can be seen most in their passing, which even the most negative amongst the fanbase must concede is improving leaps and bounds. What they have needed to find is more end product, and a way to combine threats like Soucek's timing in the box and Ward-Prowse set-piece delivery to a team starting to control possession far better.
They could have taken the lead inside the opening 10 minutes. Ward-Prowse found one of those dangerous deliveries, curling in a cross from the left-side from 30 yards out, finding Kilman 12 yards out, only for the defender to get too much power when a defter touch was needed as his header flew over the bar.
At the other end, Amad carried threat for the hosts, the shining light Amorim's disappointing tenure so far. His direct running forced the defence back as he pushed into space down the right afforded to him by a smart switch from the far side. He made the area, using his left to try curl across goal, but Areola was equal to it, parrying away.
The Hammers started to get some control, playing neatly, passing well, comfortable in defence and pushing the home side back. With just over 25 minutes played, they found reward for their work and took the lead in fantastic fashion.
From 23:35 when Kilman won a header in his box from an aimless Manchester United cross and found Cresswell, West Ham kept the ball and looked for ways forward. By 25:08, and a 31-pass move, the ball was in the back of the home side's net, bundled home by Tomas Soucek, who celebrated the birth of his third child this week with a goal at Old Trafford.
The patient play inside the West Ham half was broken by a clever pass wide and forward by Ward-Prowse to Cresswell, from slow football, now West Ham burst into life. Cresswell laid off to Wan-Bissaka, overlapping down the line as the former-Man United man chipped a ball over the defender for him. It landed behind the run, but Cresswell wowed everyone with a backheel on the volley that returned it back to Wan-Bissaka, who now had space in front of him.
He pushed inside, but reversed a ball down the left of the box for Kudus, who feinted to hit early and left Amad lunging at nothing as the Ghanaian drove on a few touches further before smashing the ball across goal. With a group of players in front of goal, it came as no surprise that the man finding the finishing touch to bundle it over the line was Soucek, too strong for Amass as it ricocheted off Soucek a couple yards from goal and into the back of the net.
Confidence is growing. Those who have suffered most in this side this year are also those who can unlock much more from the rest. Kudus turning his man with his back to goal, spinning and shooting from 30 yards might not always be good to see, but a bit of confidence in him is required to get him back to his best. He is only 24, after all.
The Hammers continued on, pressing well as a unit, passing well as a team, looking measured and comfortable in possession and out.
There were glimpses of a threat to their lead. Hojlund maybe could have done more with a ball chipped over the defence, but with Areola running out to meet him, the young striker tried to take his chance before the ball dropped, but could only poke it harmlessly wide of goal.
Maybe the biggest moment of worry was all of West Ham's making. After a corner was cleared from the Manchester United half, it was played back to Areola, some 40 yards out of goal.
The Frenchman delayed, not seeing a pass he liked, and nearly waited too long, with Amad closing down. His eventual kick was partly blocked by the young winger, and fell to Fernandes, only for the Portuguese captain to pass it out of play and waste what could have been a chance to embarrass the West Ham goalkeeper.
Instead, the sides went in at 1-0 to the visitors, a deserved lead that looked under very little threat.
There were no changes, neither in personnel nor the pattern of the game as the early stages of the second half remained under West Ham's control. Ward-Prowse could have scored inside a minute after a Coufal cross was cleared only to Kudus. He pulled it back to the midfielder as he stepped into the box, but onto his weaker left, and Ward-Prowse's shot was right at Bay??nd??r in the Manchester United goal.
The best attacking change Amorim made was to his defence. As Yoro was forced off injured, both he and Shaw were replaced by Maguire and Lindelof. Now they had a threat from set-pieces.
Their desperation became clearer after an Amad dive in the West Ham box, unpunished though it was, and Areola did well to make the save down low as Mount shot whilst everyone else screamed for a penalty.
A flash of threat from the home side went quickly answered and forgotten about as, with just over 30 minutes to play, Jarrod Bowen gave his side a two-goal lead.
It came as the hosts tried to counter, but as Ugarte got caught under pressure from Wan-Bissaka, Kudus stole the ball away and ran at goal. To his left was Wan-Bissaka, Bowen his right, but he went alone, attempting to beat his man on the edge of the box and shoot.
His effort was blocked, deflecting left to Wan-Bissaka. The full back, this writer's Hammer of the Year, again showed his attacking acumen, squaring across the six-yard box to Bowen, who passed the ball into the empty part of the goal and scoring his 11th of the season as the captain gave his side the 2-0 lead.
Amorim reacted, Garnacho thrown on, and had he been on a little longer, maybe he would have scored the first big chance his side had made. With everyone in the box, ready for a freekick, Fernandes passed wide instead. The cross was quickly delivered, curling at the far post where Garnacho got free, but he couldn't position himself well as he leapt to volley and found only the sidenetting with his effort.
Alvarez replaced Rodriguez, and soon Fullkrug and Soler replaced Bowen and Kudus up top as Potter's side started to drop deep, whether that be from concern to protect their lead or tiredness. It almost looked quite foolish, as a minute after their introduction, Amad and Hojlund should have combined to score.
A clearance found Amad with a three-on-two attack, and he drove to the edge of the box before sliding it right to Hojlund. Unfortunately for him and his side, the pass was ahead of the striker, giving Areola time to get out quickly and block a shot poked at goal.
Maguire came close from the resulting corner, now becoming his side's most potent threat, meeting the ball on the penalty spot and heading wide. He should have done better.
The Hammers were pushed deeper, and again Maguire met a corner around the penalty spot, finding the target this time, only to head right into Areola's hands. If that was an easy save for Areola, what came minutes later was far from that.
Fernandes clipped the ball into the box, sailing from the right to the far side of the six-yard box. It dropped to Hojlund in front of goal, taking his shot on the half-volley as Areola scrambled across his goal.
From such range, it was surely the goal the home side needed to make the final 10 minutes uncomfortable for their visitors, but Areola had different ideas. The Frenchman threw himself to his corner and made himself as big as he could, and his last-ditch dive was enough to somehow, some way, keep the ball out of his goal and his clean sheet intact.
Mavropanos and Emerson came on, but Amorim's side had little left to offer. It was the irrepressible Ward-Prowse who came close to scoring as stoppage time was played out, pressing forward to defend on the front foot with Fullkrug and intercepting a pass on the edge of the Manchester United box to push him into the box, but as he tried to place it across goal, young Bayindir left a leg sticking out on the dive and managed to deflect the shot away.
It would have been a fine reward for his hard work, but not more than a pretty bow on top of a fine performance and three deserved three points for West Ham, picking up their first Premuer League double against their hosts since 2007.
They will be happy enough to have leapfrogged both Manchester United and Tottenham, up to 15th now. Yet to come are Nottingham Forest, the final home game of the season to bid farewell to loyal Hammers like Coufal, Cresswell and Fabianski, before a trip to Ipswich on the final day.
Manager's Rating
Graham Potter: 9/10 His changes paid off, and his coaching is clearly paying dividends, as evidenced by that opening goal. He worked out a system that got the right combination for the attack, using the space and trickery of Bowen and Kudus, with Soucek given the freedom to make himself a presence in the box. The substitutions didn't quite work up front, but they were made in response to a team dropping deeper and lacking energy, and then the defensive subs were smart with Manchester United bombing balls into the box.
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Click to view all West Ham United vs Manchester United match reports Click to view all match reports by Chris Wilkerson Like to share your thoughts on this article? Please visit the KUMB Forum to leave a comment.Player Ratings
Alphonse AreolaSome iffy footwork was the only negative. Did well on crosses late on, made a few solid saves, and then the dramatic and magnificent close-range stop from Hojlund that kept the clean sheet intact and his side from a dramatic finish to the game.
Vladimir Coufal
Some good work with a cross and a throw or two that caused issues, and he defended well. Looked much better for a start, rather than coming on and trying to get to the pace of the game.
Aaron Cresswell
Controlled and calm, it's a shame to see his contract not renewed as he finishes this season so strongly, but a joy that he'll end his time with the club on the pitch and playing well, rather than fading quietly out of view. That backheel volley is one to remember.
Aaron Wan-Bissaka
Seemed to really enjoy himself. One assist, one very good pass before Kudus's assist, and he defended excellently on both sides.
Max Kilman
Contained Hojlund in open play, used the ball well and showed desire to step forward.
Jean-Clair Todibo
As ever, he was strong on the front foot and enjoyed the physical side.
Guido Rodriguez
Didn't start well, with some iffy moments on the ball, but he grew into it and ended up a secure deeper option. Played off some of the rust, it will be interesting to see if the manager gives him more time as the season ends.
James Ward-Prowse
It's his constant running and the pressing he showed late in the game that tips him into an 8. He was composed on the ball throughout and sets the tempo for a team that ended up with such a lovely first goal full of passing, and then ended with the energy and drive forward that the team was lacking as it camped deep.
Tomas Soucek
Playing in a role where sometimes he was furthest forward through the centre, but mostly seemed to be just in behind a front two, Tommy was his usual energetic self, getting up and down all game and striking a good balance with two ?EUR~strikers' who lack the presence in the box that Soucek brings. It allowed them to lead the play, and him to add the presence.
Jarrod Bowen
Wasn't as heavily involved in the game as others, but took his goal well and remained a threat in his moments.
Mohammed Kudus
He has improved as steadily and consistently as the team has under Potter, and his confidence appears to be coming back. A very good assist, and then led the charge for the second goal, even if his choice to shoot was the wrong one.
Substitutes
Edson Alvarez(Rodriguez 64') A couple of sloppy moments and, whilst busier than Rodriguez, sometimes it's just erratic, and that's how it felt today.
Niclas Fullkrug
(Bowen 73') Just didn't get into the game, although he was probably a victim of his team just completely dropping off.
Carlos Soler
(Kudus 73') Worked hard, which he has always done, even in his struggles here.
Emerson Palmieri
(Coufal 83') Couldn't really get into the game.
Konstantinos Mavropanos
(83') His aerial prowess came in handy, especially as the home threat became primarily crosses and Maguire as the game got late.
Lukasz Fabianski
Did not play.
Luis Guilherme
Did not play.
Lucas Paqueta
Did not play.
Evan Ferguson
Did not play.
Match Facts
West Ham United: Alphonse Areola, Vladimir Coufal, Aaron Cresswell, Aaron Wan-Bissaka, Max Kilman, Jean-Clair Todibo, Guido Rodriguez, James Ward-Prowse, Tomas Soucek, Jarrod Bowen, Mohammed Kudus.Goals: Tomas Soucek 26 Jarrod Bowen 57 .
Booked: Aaron Cresswell 0 .
Sent Off: None sent off. .
Manchester United: Bayindir, Mazraoui, Yoro (Maguire 52), Shaw (Lindelöf 52), Amass, Ugarte (Dorgu 59), Mainoo, Amad (Eriksen 83), Fernandes, Mount (Garnacho 59), Højlund.
Subs not used: Heaton, Casemiro, Fredricson, Obi.
Goals: .
Booked: None booked..
Sent off: None.
Referee: Jarred Gillett.
Attendance: 73,804.
Man of the Match: Aaron Wan-Bissaka.