Manchester United leave it late but find West Ham’s Blind spot

Both Manchester clubs left it late but rescued one point each this weekend coming back from a goal down. At Upton Park, it was a Daley Blind volley from just inside the area, to cancel out a Cheikhou Kouyate opener.

The biggest chance fell to Robin van Persie inside the first 10 minutes, when Alex Song misplaced a square pass, however the Dutchman was eventually foiled by James Tomkins.

On the quarter of an hour mark, David de Gea reminded us why Real Madrid have been persistently courting him, after a stunning save to deny a 25-yard rocket from Enner Valencia. Moments later he was called into action again when the Ecuadorian let rip a spectacular acrobatic effort at goal, with the Spaniard tipping just over the bar.

West Ham seemed to be dominating the first half, and were more a match physically for United, though combined power and pace with aesthetics. The Hammers picked up where they left off after half time, and Kouyate capitalised on a loose ball in the area, pouncing on a Mark Noble free-kick and pirouetting as he juggled into a 180 degree turn before tucking a shot into the corner.

Just before the hour mark United pair Van Persie and Adnan Januzaj exchanged passes with the former crafting a chance, though it was blocked by Tomkins.

Radamel Falcao had a big opportunity with 12 minutes to go after Van Persie put the Colombian through on goal, though he disappointingly fluffed his effort wide. Hammers keeper Adrian was called into action as United turned the screw, and it was Van Persie, 12 yards out who was gifted an opportunity to level, though the Spaniard denied him with his leg.

With the clock running down though, United were gifted a free-kick, and although Wayne Rooney’s shot was blocked, the ball was lifted back into the area. A failed clearance found Blind, who timed his run to perfection to tuck the a volley neatly past Adrian deep into injury time. Luke Shaw was sent off for a rash challenge seconds later, receiving a second yellow card as the referee brought the game to a close.