West Ham 2-0 Man United: Jarrod Bowen and Mohammed Kudus goals sink Erik ten Hag’s side in Premier League

Jarrod Bowen and Mohammed Kudus were on target as West Ham moved into the top six with a 2-0 victory over Manchester United at the London Stadium.

Erik ten Hag’s visitors had been hoping to build upon a morale-boosting draw at high-flying Liverpool and they had the best opening of a quiet first half when Alejandro Garnacho fluffed a one-on-one with Alphonse Areola.

West Ham had offered little as an attacking force but stole in front 18 minutes from time when Bowen netted his 11th league goal of the season after latching onto Lucas Paqueta’s exquisite pass.

The hosts then doubled their advantage six minutes later when Paqueta set Kudus free to side-step his man and rifle a low shot into the far corner.

The result means David Moyes’ men rise above The Red Devils into sixth and within four points of the top four.

Man Utd drop to eighth following an eighth league loss of the campaign and are six points adrift of fourth-placed Man City having played a game more.

Next up, Ten Hag’s side host Aston Villa on Boxing Day. West Ham visit Arsenal on Thursday December 28.

This was the perfect tonic for David Moyes and Co following the League Cup loss at Liverpool in midweek. For long spells they lacked urgency but their solid backline provided the platform for their forward triumvirate to come up with the moments of magic to send their supporters into the festive period in buoyant mood.

That is in stark contrast to The Red Devils who failed to build upon that draw at Liverpool last weekend. The possession was too laboured and despite carving out the best chance of the opening hour, they again failed to hit the back of the net, with their expensive forwards failing to ignite. They have now gone four matches on the spin without scoring for the first time since 1992 and their propensity to lose matches is a worrying trend that means the pressure will continue to sit on Ten Hag’s shoulders.

Lucas Paqueta (West Ham United). The Hammers’ No.10 came up with THE sumptuous pass to spark a quiet contest into life. He was at it again moments later with yet another assist and is certainly one of the most entertaining creative forces the Premier League currently has to offer.

WEST HAM: Areola 8, Coufal 7, Zouma 8, Mavropanos 7, Emerson 7, Alvarez 8, Ward-Prowse 7, Soucek 7, Kudus 7, Bowen 7, Paqueta 8*. Subs: Fornals n/a, Johnson n/a.

MAN UTD: Onana 7, Wan-Bissaka 7, Evans 6, Kambwala 7, Shaw 7, Mainoo 6, McTominay 6, Fernandes 6, Antony 5, Hojlund 5, Garnacho 6. Subs: Rashford 5, Pellistri 5, Reguilon n/a, Eriksen n/a.

35’ – MAN UTD CHANCE! A poor pass from Kudus releases Antony who surges forward with intent. He plays Garnacho clear, but his awkward attempt towards the near post is brilliantly blocked by Areola.

56’ – WEST HAM CHANCE! Onana pulls off a superb save as he tips Bowen’s powerful header from a left-wing corner over the top.

72’ – GOAL! – West Ham 1-0 Man United: (Bowen) Bowen bundles home the opener after racing on to Paqueta’s sensational, clipped pass and getting a favourable rebound off Onana from his first attempt.

78’ – GOAL! – West Ham 2-0 Man United: (Kudus) Kudus races on to Paqueta’s pass and rifles a low shot into the far corner after sloppy play from Mainoo gifted the hosts the ball.