By Sam Tonks
West Ham made it three wins in their last four with a superb 3-1 victory over Manchester United, in a complete attacking performance at London Stadium.
The returning Marko Arnautovic sealed the win in the second half, following first-half goals from Felipe Anderson and Andriy Yarmolenko and a consolation from Marcus Rashford.
The sun was shining over London Stadium this lunch-time with a third home game in a the space of a week taking place at the Hammers' home ground.
Arnautovic was a welcome return to lead the line for the hosts, and the only change from the side that drew with Chelsea here six days ago. Jose Mourinho gambled with a back-three, including Scottish youngster Scott McTominay, whilst Antony Martial came in and Paul Pogba keeping his place.
West Ham started like a side that had built up confidence over the last two weeks, Declan Rice controlling the game from central midfield and the trio of Anderson, Arnautovic and Yarmolenko looking sharp and moving the ball quickly.
That paved the way for a dream start on seven minutes and first West Ham goal for the Brazillian forward. An intelligent Pablo Zabaleta overlap saw the Argentine full-back square the ball across the six yard line for Anderson, who audaciously flicked the ball past a helpless David De Gea.
Manchester United, in contrast, struggled to stretch West Ham in the early exchanges, their lack of form seemingly continuing into this match.
Their only chance of note came when Ashley Young made a good run down the right, played in by Scott McTominay. He crossed but Romelu Lukaku could only hit the post with a header.
The Hammers backline were soaking up United possession, with Arnautovic tirelessly closing down up front. When they had their attacking opportunities they always looked a threat, Yarmolenko and Anderson nearly profiting from the vision of Arnautovic.
Then on the stroke of half-time, Anderson's’ corner was flicked on by Diop and collected by Yarmolenko. They Ukrainian cut onto his left and profited from a deflection for his third goal in three games, giving the Hammers a 2-0 advantage going into half-time.
Paul Pogba looked a continuously frustrated figure with the Hammers harassing him and charging down every pass. Marcus Rashford was introduced early into the second half to try cut-open the resolute defence of West Ham but Lukasz Fabianski looked equally solid in goal.
Without any trouble all afternoon, he pulled out a stunning stop to deny Marouane Fellaini’s header from Young’s cross on 65 minutes.
Arnautovic was doing everything right, apart from scoring. He blazed a shot over when his first-touch deserted him and on 69 minutes was agonisingly close to connecting with Anderson’s through ball.
Mourinho’s substitution brought his United back into the game with 19 minutes to go. Rashford caught out Fabianski at his near post as he flicked in Luke Shaw’s corner.
But just as it seemed there was a hope of a comeback for the visitors, it was third-time lucky for Arnie. The Austrian was picked out clean-through by a pin-point pass from Mark Noble, he took his time and slotted past De Gea, London Stadium roared.
Scott McTominay took aim from range but Fabianski parried it away, a sign of the frustration from Manchester United and the solidarity of the Hammers’ defending.
20-year-old Grady Diangana was brought on in added time for his league debut to put the cherry on a well-earned cake for West Ham.
A fourth win for Pellegrini over rival Mourinho heaps the pressure on his team whilst the Hammers’ momentum rolls on, next to visit London Stadium are arch-rivals Tottenham Hotspur.
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