Fan blogger Joe Difford reflects on Sunday's draw at Manchester United
Fan blogger Joe Difford reflects on Sunday's 1-1 draw at Manchester United...
Sunday afternoon's clash at Old Trafford might not have been our ticket to Wembley, but it has set up what is expected to be another magical night under the lights at the Boleyn Ground.
For the first time in years, the sense of belief going into the FA Cup tie was incredible, and having already beaten Arsenal, Manchester City and Liverpool away from home this season, fans knew we could beat United.
Slaven Bilic knew this too, and set-up his men with two up front, something rarely seen in the modern game, and it almost paid dividends. Andy Carroll saw a bullet header fly over the bar and Emmanuel Emenike headed his effort straight at David de Gea in the opening exchanges.
Manchester United, who currently sit one place below us in the Premier League table, grew as the game went on, and the home support got behind their men. A few half chances came and went as Ander Herrera fired into Row Z from a very promising position.
It is impossible to look at this game without highlighting referee Martin Atkinson, who was forced to make a number of tough calls throughout. He correctly waved away protests for a Man United penalty when the ball bounced off the thigh of Winston Reid and onto his arm mid-slide tackle.
Dimitri Payet was perhaps unlucky to not win a penalty himself up the other end, but much like Christian Benteke's a week or so ago, the contact, although crucial, was not much nor obvious, so the referee ignored the Frenchman.
The moment of magic came when the magic number 27 won a free kick about 35 yards out, and although he has proven himself to be one of the best set piece takers in the league, even this one seemed too far away from goal.
But up stepped Payet to prove people wrong and stun yet again, as he curled the perfect free kick up over the wall and into the far left corner, off the post and into the back of the net. It was a free kick of world class quality, and even the league's best goalkeeper couldn't keep it out.
As expected, the home side controlled the play in the second half, especially after the opening goal, and Memphis Depay and Bastian Schweinsteiger came off the bench to make an impact.
Depay was causing all sorts of trouble for Michail Antonio, but he failed to capitalise when he found some space, perhaps a lack of confidence given his recent dip in form.
The heart-breaking equaliser came when Hammers were already planning their trip to Wembley, and Anthony Martial got on the end of a cross to net from a tight angle. Replays showed that Schweinsteiger took out Darren Randolph, preventing him from getting to the ball, but considering the referee's good decisions throughout, you can forgive him for not calling this one back.
A draw might not have been the ideal result, especially given Payet's sensational free kick, but it does mean fans get to experience another night under the lights at the Boleyn Ground.
Games there are coming thick and fast and there are only a handful left to play at the ground we have made a fortress this season, so the addition of a replay is not a concern. The last FA Cup tie there was the dramatic game against Liverpool and given our home form, not losing since August, United certainly won't be too excited for what could be the game to send us to Wembley.
It's a measure of the wonderful work Slaven Bilic and the board have done that we can go to Old Trafford and hold our own against the biggest club in England, and we must be a side no one wants to face at the moment.
For more West Ham fan views or to join the conversation visit www.90min.com
The views in this article are those of the author and not necessarily those of West Ham United
Sunday afternoon's clash at Old Trafford might not have been our ticket to Wembley, but it has set up what is expected to be another magical night under the lights at the Boleyn Ground.
For the first time in years, the sense of belief going into the FA Cup tie was incredible, and having already beaten Arsenal, Manchester City and Liverpool away from home this season, fans knew we could beat United.
Slaven Bilic knew this too, and set-up his men with two up front, something rarely seen in the modern game, and it almost paid dividends. Andy Carroll saw a bullet header fly over the bar and Emmanuel Emenike headed his effort straight at David de Gea in the opening exchanges.
Manchester United, who currently sit one place below us in the Premier League table, grew as the game went on, and the home support got behind their men. A few half chances came and went as Ander Herrera fired into Row Z from a very promising position.
It is impossible to look at this game without highlighting referee Martin Atkinson, who was forced to make a number of tough calls throughout. He correctly waved away protests for a Man United penalty when the ball bounced off the thigh of Winston Reid and onto his arm mid-slide tackle.
Dimitri Payet was perhaps unlucky to not win a penalty himself up the other end, but much like Christian Benteke's a week or so ago, the contact, although crucial, was not much nor obvious, so the referee ignored the Frenchman.
The moment of magic came when the magic number 27 won a free kick about 35 yards out, and although he has proven himself to be one of the best set piece takers in the league, even this one seemed too far away from goal.
But up stepped Payet to prove people wrong and stun yet again, as he curled the perfect free kick up over the wall and into the far left corner, off the post and into the back of the net. It was a free kick of world class quality, and even the league's best goalkeeper couldn't keep it out.
As expected, the home side controlled the play in the second half, especially after the opening goal, and Memphis Depay and Bastian Schweinsteiger came off the bench to make an impact.
Depay was causing all sorts of trouble for Michail Antonio, but he failed to capitalise when he found some space, perhaps a lack of confidence given his recent dip in form.
The heart-breaking equaliser came when Hammers were already planning their trip to Wembley, and Anthony Martial got on the end of a cross to net from a tight angle. Replays showed that Schweinsteiger took out Darren Randolph, preventing him from getting to the ball, but considering the referee's good decisions throughout, you can forgive him for not calling this one back.
A draw might not have been the ideal result, especially given Payet's sensational free kick, but it does mean fans get to experience another night under the lights at the Boleyn Ground.
Games there are coming thick and fast and there are only a handful left to play at the ground we have made a fortress this season, so the addition of a replay is not a concern. The last FA Cup tie there was the dramatic game against Liverpool and given our home form, not losing since August, United certainly won't be too excited for what could be the game to send us to Wembley.
It's a measure of the wonderful work Slaven Bilic and the board have done that we can go to Old Trafford and hold our own against the biggest club in England, and we must be a side no one wants to face at the moment.
For more West Ham fan views or to join the conversation visit www.90min.com
The views in this article are those of the author and not necessarily those of West Ham United