Dawson deflection lifts Reds back into second
west ham
MANCHESTER United moved back into second in the Premier League after Craig Dawson’s own goal saw fifth-placed West Ham fall to a 1-0 defeat at Old Trafford.
With crucial cup matches at AC Milan and Leicester in the next week, Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s side claimed an important if uninspiring win after the Foxes had briefly gone second by beating Sheffield United.
David Moyes’ men were set up to frustrate a month on from their FA Cup loss at Old Trafford and failed to muster a shot in the first half – the first Premier League side to manage that since March 2018.
But the Hammers also gave little away in the opening period, with Lukasz Fabianski tipping a Mason Greenwood shot onto the post from the hosts’ best chance.
The Reds finally found a way through eight minutes after the break when Bruno Fernandes’ corner was headed on by Scott McTominay and the unsighted Dawson turned into his own net.
West Ham attacked with more purpose after falling behind but Moyes’ wait for a first win away at Old Trafford continues, with Fernandes superbly denied before Greenwood thumped the post as United looked to settle any nerves late on.
McTominay felt the hosts had worked hard for their victory. He said: ‘It was really important to win our third tough game of the week. We knew from when we played them in the cup it would be difficult.
‘They set up really well and have got good players. They made it hard for us.’
McTominay also insisted he had no intention of trying to take credit for the goal, after his touch was diverted in by Dawson.
He added: ‘I can’t remember the goal – it wasn’t my goal. Sometimes you get a fortunate one like that.’