Match Review
West Ham United 1 v 0 Manchester United, Upton Park, 16.00 Sunday 17th December 2006. Reo-Coker (75). Attendance: 34,966.

It was always bound to come but the Reds finally succumbed to an away defeat as Alan Curbishley's reign began with a victory. United fans can take defeat and, of course, the vultures circle every time the Reds are beaten but what supporters cannot stomach is Wayne Rooney playing on the wing!

SAF must find it amusing while the fans watch one of the very best turn into a non-entity, and an exciting team turn into one with plenty of possession but little in creativity.

A late tap in from three yards out sealed a win for the Hammers as Nigel Reo-Coker gave the West Ham fans an early Christmas present and a much needed boost at the foot of the table. United had started well with ex -Red Jonathan Spector blocking a Ryan Giggs effort after only two minutes. West Ham, as universally expected, played well and seemed hungry. A Bowyer cross was headed wide by Matthew Etherington as the Hammers were almost rewarded for their efforts.

Both sides exchanged long range efforts, Harewood letting fly from distance, as did Saha only for Robert Green to save well.

Rio Ferdinand, who is having a small dip in form, chased a long ball with Zamora only to be out-muscled by the Hammer's top scorer. The striker ran on with only EVDS to beat but to United's luck the big Dutch 'keeper dived at the feet of the former Spurs man and United could breath again.

Ronaldo had a shot, which the increasingly confidence Robert Green saved and then later Giggs would strike an effort into the carpark bound when gifted an opening.

West Ham's late winner came when Teddy Sheringham nutmegged Vidic and found Marvin Harewood. The striker crossed on the turn and Reo-Coker had the simplest of tap-ins to send Curbishley into heaven!

Each and every time SAF plays Rooney wide in a five man midfield the Reds maintain possession but never seem to do anything with it. Think Celtic (A), Copenhagen (A), Arsenal (H) - this was a classic example of why our great manger can stick it up his arse. It wont work , hasn't worked and isn't acceptable.

Rant Ratings
(4-5-1): van der Sar (6); Neville (6), Ferdinand (4), Vidic (6), Heinze (6); Giggs (4), Rooney (5), Carrick (6), Scholes (6), Ronaldo (7); Saha (6)
Subs: Solskjaer (5) for Giggs (73 mins), O'Shea (5) for Carrick (84 mins), Park (n/a) for Heinze (88 mins).
Subs not used: Kusczak, Silvestre.

United's Man of the Match
On a bad day, Ronaldo was booed throughout by the Aaaammeers and their Jellied Eel guzzling tosser fans. Well done Ronnie.

Rant's Reaction
Come on United fans, this insistence on playing Rooney wide is going to be the death of our title race. Same shit, different day for old Ferguson. Stick your 4-5-1 up your stubborn arse.

Was Rant's Prediction Right?
We said 2-0. United Rant 4 v 23 Wrong Predictions.

Milestones
SAF's 81st Premiership defeat
Gabriel Heinze's 60th competitive appearance for United
Ji Sung Park's 50th competitive appearance for United
Gary Neville is now tied with Denis Irwin on 517 competitive appearances for United.

Miscellaneous Info
United's next match is on Sunday 23rd December 2006 against Aston Villa (a) at Villa Park in the Premiership with a 15.00 kick off