Manchester United vs. West Ham: Score, Reaction from 2016 FA Cup Quarter-Final
West Ham United almost stunned Manchester United in the quarter-final of the FA Cup on Sunday, but a late goal saved the hosts as the teams drew, 1-1, at Old Trafford.
A world-class free-kick from Dimitri Payet beat goalkeeper David De Gea from distance as the Hammers looked to advance to the semifinals, but a late Anthony Martial effort rescued United to trigger a replay at Upton Park.
Payet's strike was one of the goals of the season, but the Red Devils battled valiantly to remain in the competition.
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United manager Louis van Gaal made three changes to the starting XI that lost to Liverpool in the first leg of the Europa League, with Morgan Schneiderlin, Memphis Depay and Juan Mata all dropping out of the team. Michael Carrick, Ander Herrera and Jesse Lingard all came back into the side as the Dutch coach freshened up his options.
West Ham boss Slaven Bilic arrived at the Theatre of Dreams with a dynamic attacking lineup. Andy Carroll made a rare start, supported by the trio of Emmanuel Emenike, Manuel Lanzini and Payet.
Bleacher Report's Paul Ansorge debated whether Van Gaal had opted for a formation he has rarely played during his tenure at United:
"Is this an actual 4-3-3? With Carrick at the base and Herrera and Fellaini ahead of him? Remember that?
— Paul (@UtdRantcast) March 13, 2016"
The visitors should have taken the lead in the opening moments, as Carroll split the defence with a lofted pass, putting Emenike clean through. However, the Nigeria international failed to test De Gea, slotting the ball past the post.
United saw plenty of the ball in the opening 15 minutes but struggled to hurt the Hammers. Emenike was free in the middle of the box after a swift break by Payet, but the attacker headed his effort directly at the grateful De Gea when he should have scored.
Herrera had United's best chance of the first half after Anthony Martial assisted the Spaniard. The young Frenchman beat his man and swung in a cross, and the midfielder slammed his volley just wide of the post after a slight deflection.
Ian Ladyman of the Daily Mail commented on the success Martial had on the left wing:
Herrera had a further chance to give United the lead after a positive run by Marcos Rojo. The Argentina defender marauded up the pitch and perfectly passed the ball into the Spaniard's path, only to witness Herrera blast over the bar.
The Manchester Evening News' Samuel Luckhurst highlighted Carrick was trying to slow the play down for his side, but the midfielder's influence was incorrect:
United played an improved brand of football than witnessed in recent weeks but still looked short of their vintage best of yesteryear.
The Hammers always looked dangerous on the counter-attack, but the first half ended goalless.
OptaJoe highlighted the hosts' lack of efficiency in front of goal against West Ham, typifying their efforts during the campaign:
WhoScored.com provided player ratings and shared the half-time stats during the break, as United edged possession:
West Ham were immediately on the front foot after the restart as Michail Antonio quickly put De Gea under pressure in the opening moments. The Spain international stopper was forced to punch clear as the winger swung in a powerful cross.
United had a sustained spell of pressure in Hammers territory and witnessed a strong claim for a penalty denied by the referee as Herrera's shot cannoned off Winston Reid's arm. However, TV replays showed the ball deflected off the defender's leg in the first instance, spinning up to accidentally hit his trailing hand.
West Ham also had a huge shot for a penalty turned down as Payet went down after a challenge by Rojo. Once again, the referee played on and denied the calls for a spot-kick.
The deadlock was finally broken after 67 minutes as Payet hit the perfect free-kick to beat De Gea from long distance.
The midfielder curled his shot beyond the United goalkeeper, expertly striking the ball to score a wonderful goal.
BT Sport Football shared the world-class strike:
Pundit Alan Shearer highlighted Payet's goal and amazing season:
United streamed forward in an attempt to grab an equaliser, but their best efforts were often thwarted by a rigid Hammers defence.
Martial and Herrera once again went close, but West Ham looked calm and assured despite the raiding tactics of the hosts.
The Red Devils finally scored the goal their pressure deserved as Martial hooked the ball home with only eight minutes on the clock.
The France international met a lofted cross from Herrera was at the far post, and the attacker bundled the ball over the line as Old Trafford exploded in joy.
BT Sport Football shared Martial's goal:
The noise was jacked up in the stadium as United hunted a winner, but it was West Ham who almost stole the victory through Antonio. The attacker found the bottom corner in injury time, but De Gea made a brilliant save to aid his team.
West Ham finished the stronger of the sides, but the referee's whistle was warmly greeted, as neither side deserved to be eliminated on Sunday.
The replay will be the final FA Cup match at Upton Park before the Hammers leave their famous ground to take residence in their new home at the Olympic Stadium.
Post-Match Reaction
Bilic was disappointed his team didn't complete a famous win at the Theatre of Dreams and questioned the match officials for their part in United's goal, per BT Sport Football:
Van Gaal was satisfied with his side's comeback on Sunday after a tough few days for the Red Devils, as quoted by MUTV (h/t the club's official website):
United and West Ham will battle each other in a replay in East London to see who joins Everton, Crystal Palace and Watford in the last-four of the FA Cup.
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