West Ham United – Manchester United

1. <img src="http://soccernet-assets.espn.go.com/design05/images/2011/0331/dimitarberbatovscoresvwhufcaug10_275x155.jpg">

2. Dimitar Berbatov scored a spectacular goal against the Hammers in August, but will he be starting on Saturday? Dale Johnson <A HREF= http://soccernet.espn.go.com/preview?id=292866&cc=5739 target=new>previews</A> the game.

3. Live commentary will appear here from 1230 BST.

4. A crucial match at both ends of the table as West Ham take on Man United. But Sir Alex has sprung a few surprises with his selection.

5. Edwin van der Sar is out with a "wee tweak of his groin" and is saved for the Champions League tie with Chelsea. Tomasz Kuszczak starts.

6. There's also no fight between Javier Hernandez and Dimitar Berbatov about who plays alongside Wayne Rooney, as United play just one up front.

7. United's midfield also looks weak with Darron Gibson partnering Michael Carrick. Park adds the industry while Antonio Valencia and Ryan Giggs the creativity. Nani is left on the bench.

8. Scott Parker passes a late fitness test so takes his place alongside Thomas Hitzlsperger. Carlton Cole starts after his April Fool's joke on Twitter, with Demba Ba in attack.

9. A quick plug for Twitter. You can follow me @dalejohnsonESPN and there's also the main account for all your news: @Soccernet

10. Paolo di Canio is blasting out <i>I'm Forever Blowing Bubbles</i> from the posh seats.

11. 1'

    And it's West Ham to kick-off.

12. 2'

    It's a glorious day in London, with the fans just in their team shirts to brighten up the stands.

13. 3'

    West Ham have started with purpose, looking to play on the offensive.

14. 3'

    Park wins a corner off Upson. Chance for the visitors.

15. 4'

    Giggs delivers from the left and Green has to palm Vidic's header over the bar. The header was straight at Green.

16. 5'

    Another corner comes in and this time Smalling cannot get it on target.

17. 6'

    Free-kick to West Ham on the left flank. Hitszperger swings it in, easy claim for Kuszczak.

18. 7'

    Carrick smacks one over the bar from 30 yards. A waste of everyone's time.

19. 8'

    Free-kick given against Noble for a foul on Smalling on the half-way line.

20. 9'

    Evra has the beating of O'Neil on the left, he tries to cross into the box but Jacobsen helps it behind for a corner.

21. 10'

    This time Giggs' corner from the left is very poor, and Da Costa heads away unchallenged from on the penalty spot.

22. 10'

    PENALTY TO WEST HAM

23. 10'

    Carlton Cole is sent through with a long punt upfield. He miscontrolled at first but Evra handballed as Cole tried to lift the ball over him.

24. 11'

    <img src="http://soccernet-assets.espn.go.com/design05/gp10/i/goal.gif"> <b>GOAL</b> Mark Noble takes it, sends the keeper the wrong way and calmly rolls the ball into the left-hand side of the goal.

25. 12'

    That goal was somewhat against the run of play, but the penalty kick was the correct decision. Evra's arms were up and as soon as the ball struck his right arm there was only one decision.

26. 13'

    Valencia crosses from the right and wins another corner.

27. 14'

    It's Giggs again, and he hits it over everyone and out for a goal-kick.

28. 15'

    Sir Alex is masticating furiously in the stand, remember he is still banned from the dugout.

29. 16'

    Despite Man United's "weakened" line-up they have been the better side.

30. 17'

    Valencia whips a ball across the box, Da Costa puts behind for the umpteenth corner

31. 18'

    This time Giggs plays a pass into play rather than crossing into the box.

32. 18'

    It's curled into the box for Smalling, who nods down for Rooney but he miscontrols when place to turn and shoot.

33. 19'

    Now it's Rooney with the pass and Giggs almost gets the shot off in the six-yard box only for a prostrate defender to hack behind.

34. 20'

    The corner finds its way to Gibson this time, who fires over from outside the box.

35. 20'

    Man United have had seven corners already, and 65% of possession. But they are losing.

36. 21'

    Ba almost puts Cole through, Smalling makes the tackle - but the offside flag was up anyway.

37. 22'

    Now Ba is almost in space in the box from O'Neil's lofted pass, but Ba brought the ball down with his arm.

38. 23'

    <i>Stat Attack:</i> The last time West Ham beat Man United, in December 2007, Tomasz Kuszczak was the goalkeeper.

39. 24'

    PENALTY TO WEST HAM

40. 24'

    Vidic trips Cole as he looks to skip into the area.

41. 25'

    <img src="http://soccernet-assets.espn.go.com/design05/gp10/i/goal.gif"> <b>GOAL</b> Noble smashes it into the top right corner of the goal, giving Tomasz Kuszczak no chance. 2-0 to the Hammers!

42. 26'

    Vidic complains to referee Lee Mason that the trip was outside the box. TV replays suggest it may have been right on the line. And that means it's a penalty. Very close call though.

43. 27'

    It's tough on Man United as they have been the better team. But two sucker punches from the penalty spot mean they have it all to do. Sir Alex is going to have to get the big guns out.

44. 28'

    Valencia is almost found unmarked in the box but Bridge is alive to the danger and tackles.

45. 28'

    Corner to Man United again. They take it short and it results in yet another.

46. 29'

    Giggs, as per usual, takes. It's flicked on at the near post before Smalling is penalised for a push.

47. 30'

    Fabio looks long for Rooney over the top, Green is smart and comes out to claim.

48. 30'

    Park slams a shot in from the penalty spot and Green makes a great save to force it over the bar. That said, Park had all the time in the world and should have scored.

49. 31'

    Smalling gets on the latest corner, but heads into the back of Vidic and it goes harmlessly out.

50. 32'

    <img src="http://soccernet-assets.espn.go.com/design05/images/2011/0402/marknoblekissceleb20110402_275x155.jpg"><br>Mark Noble celebrates after scoring his first penalty kick.

51. 33'

    <img src="http://soccernet-assets.espn.go.com/design05/gp10/i/yellow_card.jpg" height="15"> Gibson is booked for a petulant kick out at Noble after the ball had gone.

52. 34'

    Three shots for West Ham, two from the penalty spot, and they lead 2-0.

53. 35'

    Hitzlsperger finds space ghosting into the area and it looks set up for a <i>Der Hammer</i> special, but he fires well wide.

54. 36'

    <i>Stat Attack: </i>Man United have never before given away two penalties in 19 years of Premier League football.

55. 37'

    Another corner to United (we are now into double figures) which leads to Valencia hitting a shot over.

56. 38'

    <i>Stat Attack: </i> The last time Man United lost to West Ham in the league, that game in December 2007, Sir Alex was banned from the touchline then too.

57. 39'

    Man United still on top, West Ham playing on the break.

58. 40'

    <img src="http://soccernet-assets.espn.go.com/design05/gp10/i/yellow_card.jpg" height="15"> Vidic is booked for hauling down Ba after misjudging the bounce of the ball. The West Ham fans were baying for a red

59. 41'

    It's a free-kick on the edge of the box. A chance for a third for West Ham.

60. 42'

    Avram Grant is furious that Vidic was not sent off.

61. 43'

    Ooooooooooooooooh. Hitzlsperger curls one over the wall and a yard wide of the right-hand post. So close.

62. 44'

    Back to the Vidic booking, Ba would have had a run on goal but Lee Mason got his decision spot on as Kuszczak was always getting to the ball first so no clear goalscoring opportunity.

63. 45'

    Da Costa catches Rooney late and it's a free-kick around 27 yards out. Rooney is down in pain but is soon up.

64. 45'

    Two minutes to be added on.

65. 45'

    Rooney touches the free-kick to Gibson but by the time he hits it a defender has closed right in and blocks.

66. 45'

    HALF-TIME

67. 45'

    A half which Man United have dominated but find themselves two goals behind. Fergie has some work to do at the break.

68. 45'

    <img src="http://soccernet-assets.espn.go.com/design05/images/2011/0402/vidicfoul20110402_275x155.jpg"><br>Nemanja Vidic points to the spot where he believes he fouled Carlton Cole outside the box

69. 45'

    <img src="http://soccernet-assets.espn.go.com/design05/gp10/i/subs.gif"> A change for United, but not really the one we'd expected. Patrice Evra is coming off and Javier Hernandez will replace him. What does that mean for the formation? Carrick into defence?

70. 45'

    The teams are coming out again. Man United will need a goal quickly if they are to win this.

71. 45'

    It looks like, erm, Ryan Giggs is playing left-back.

72. 46'

    Away we go.

73. 46'

    Great cross from Giggs and Hernandez fires over just 35 seconds after coming on. Another intelligent run from the lively Mexican.

74. 47'

    Remeber you can follow the cricket World Cup final live with our friends across the office at Cricinfo. <a href="http://www.espncricinfo.com/icc_cricket_worldcup2011/engine/current/match/433606.html" target="_blank">Click here for BBB coverage.</a>

75. 48'

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76. 48'

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77. 49'

    Vidic with a late tackle on Ba, Lee Mason gives the foul and was very lucky not to get another yellow. I bet you if he had not been booked he would be now....

78. 50'

    This could be such a crucial result for both sides. But Arsenal have failed to each time United have lost recently. Will they bottle it at home to Blackburn?

79. 51'

    Man United enjoying a lot of the ball yet again. West Ham happy to let them have it.

80. 52'

    Valencia with the cross, Da Costa heads away under no pressure whatsoever.

81. 53'

    Noble and Ba link up, with Ba collecting inside the box. He tries to find Noble again on the edge of the six-yard box but a United defender gets a foot in.

82. 54'

    Rooney smashes it from 25 yards out, but hits a defender.

83. 55'

    Giggs almost feeds Hernandez in through the middle, but there's too much on the pass and Green claims.

84. 56'

    Park wins Man United's 12th corner of the game off Da Costa.

85. 57'

    Valencia takes over responsibilities on the corner, he takes from the right and it goes through everyone and a West Ham defender hoofs to safety

86. 58'

    Man United break with Rooney. He has a simple pass out onto the right but dwells and dwells and is eventually tackled. Hesitant.

87. 59'

    <i>Opta stats: </i>This is the most penalties Man Utd have conceded in a Premier League season (6) since Opta began logging data in 1996-97.

88. 59'

    <img src="http://soccernet-assets.espn.go.com/design05/gp10/i/yellow_card.jpg" height="15"> Da Costa clatters into the back of Rooney.

89. 60'

    Giggs takes the free-kick, it ping-pongs around in the box before Smalling can only help it behind for a goal-kick.

90. 61'

    Bridge does well to rob Valencia and then win the free-kick.

91. 62'

    West Ham make a rare foray into the Man United final third. For a few seconds.

92. 63'

    Rob Green is being given absolutely nothing to do here. Man United have all the ball but no penetration.

93. 63'

    Rooney and Hernandez break, but it's always laboured and the Mexican fails to find his partner with the square ball into the box.

94. 64'

    Da Costa heads clear from almost on his own goal-line from a Fabio cross.

95. 64'

    Noble is tripped by Carrick and it's a free-kick 20 yards out. Dangerous.

96. 64'

    <img src="http://soccernet-assets.espn.go.com/design05/gp10/i/subs.gif"> Before that Berbatov comes on for Park to make a three-pronged attack.

97. 65'

    <img src="http://soccernet-assets.espn.go.com/design05/gp10/i/goal.gif"> <b>GOAL</b> Brilliant free-kick from Rooney, curled right-footed into the top right-hand corner of the net. Green no chance. Game on!

98. 66'

    Gibson strikes, it hits a defender and goes behinnd for a corner.

99. 67'

    It comes in from the right and Carrick meets it at the near post. He heads over and his claims for a corner fall on deaf ears.

100. 68'

     <i>Opta Stats: </i>Wayne Rooney has scored six goals in nine Premier League games for Manchester United against West Ham.

101. 69'

     <img src="http://soccernet-assets.espn.go.com/design05/gp10/i/subs.gif"> Frederic Piquionne comes on for Carlton Cole to add fresh legs up front for the Hammers.

102. 70'

     If Man United get an equaliser before the 80th minute I wouldn't bet on the Hammers holding out for the draw.

103. 71'

     Berbatov gets through an impossible gap on the touchline and tries to beat Green at the near post. Yep, another corner.

104. 72'

     It's worked short and comes to Rooney, who curls one well wide from 25 yards.

105. 72'

     Piquionne trips Vidic in the box, free-kick.

106. 73'

     Da Costa is there yet again to head away Valencia's cross.

107. 73'

     <img src="http://soccernet-assets.espn.go.com/design05/gp10/i/goal.gif"> <b>GOAL</b> Rooney slots home the leveller for Man United. Great finish.

108. 74'

     That was Rooney's 100th Premier League goal. He received a pass just inside the box, the first touch created the space he needed to lash home low into the bottom right-hand corner of the net.

109. 75'

     Big pressure on West Ham now. The juggernaut that is Man United's late goalscoring machine is about to arrive. And they have 15 minutes plus to get a winner.

110. 76'

     Berbatov turns well and fires a powerful shot which Green has to block. It's coming.

111. 76'

     Another corner to Man United. Giggs will deliver from the left - and it's Da Costa there again to clear

112. 77'

     It's all Man United. West Ham look nervous too.

113. 78'

     PENALTY TO MAN UNITED

114. 78'

     Rafael looked to cut the ball back from the touchline inside the box. It's a very harsh handball against Upson.

115. 79'

     <img src="http://soccernet-assets.espn.go.com/design05/gp10/i/goal.gif"> <b>GOAL</b> Rooney completes a hat-trick and the turnaround.

116. 80'

     Rob Green went the wrong wall, and Rooney rolled the ball into the right-hand corner. Cool as you like.

117. 80'

     On the penalty decision, Upson did not move his arm from down by his side. Nine times out of ten that would not have been given.

118. 81'

     West Ham are all over the place now. Berbatov is put through from an Upson mistake, he doesn't have the pace to out-strip the England defender who gets back and forces Berbatov wide.

119. 82'

     But Berbatov is allowed time to run the ball back into the box and cuts it back for the completely unmarked Gibson running into the area - but he blazes over.

120. 83'

     Those of you following me on Twitter will note I suggested a bet of West Ham to be winning at half-time and Man United at full-time.

121. 83'

     <img src="http://soccernet-assets.espn.go.com/design05/gp10/i/subs.gif"> Double change for West Ham. Victor Obinna and Robbie Keane come on for Mark Noble and Gary O'Neil.

122. 84'

     Now West Ham want handball against Smalling into the box. There won't be a fourth penalty for that.

123. 84'

     <img src="http://soccernet-assets.espn.go.com/design05/gp10/i/goal.gif"> <b>GOAL</b> Javier Hernandez taps home from four yards out.

124. 85'

     And that, you have to say, is that. Giggs was given too much space on the left, his shot across goal was going wide but no West Ham defender could cut it out, and there was Hernandez to slide home.

125. 86'

     They only thing that is going to happen here now is a fifth Man United goal. If they can be bothered.

126. 87'

     <img src="http://soccernet-assets.espn.go.com/design05/gp10/i/subs.gif"> Hat-trick hero Wayne Rooney is replaced by Nani. Oh, the luxury.

127. 88'

     West Ham fans are streaming out, and who can blame them? The fact remains that West Ham have been outclassed despite being two in front.

128. 89'

     <img src="http://soccernet-assets.espn.go.com/design05/images/2011/0402/rooneyceleb20110402_275x155.jpg"> <br>Wayne Rooney celebrates getting one back for the Red Devils

129. 90'

     Just four more minutes of misery for the home fans.

130. 90'

     <i>Opta Stats: </i>Javier Hernandez has scored 11 goals from just 15 shots on target in the Premier League this season.

131. 90'

     United fans in fine voice. @tomadamsESPN in the Soccernet office is crestfallen after seeing the chance for Arsenal to make up ground snatched away. He's not spoken since Rooney's penalty.

132. 90'

     Corner to United. Valencia to take from the right - and he plays it all the way back to Fabio at right-back

133. 90'

     Rio Ferdinand on Twitter: "Rooney, Valencia, Giggs, Fabio + carrick have been our stand out players today. Great 2nd half for us."

134. 90'

     Into the last minute.

135. 90'

     FULL-TIME

136. 90'

     There's no doubt that Man United were the better side here in what could be a watershed game at the top of the Premier League table.

137. 90'

     It was a superb comeback as Man United hit four goals in 19 minutes to leave the Hammers with no answer.

138. 90'

     West Ham drop into the bottom three on goal difference, but their survival hopes do not rest on this game - they have home games against Villa, Blackburn and Sunderland to decide their fate.

139. 90'

     Tom Adams has picked himself up off the floor to guide you through all the 3pm games. <a href="http://soccernet.espn.go.com/news/story/_/id/901239/matchday-live---april-2" target="_blank">Make sure you join him right now</a>.

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