United's inability to break down a packed defence proved costly at the King Power Stadium as the Irons ended 2016 on a defeat.
United survived an early scare when Mahrez hit the post but came back into the game and might have taken the lead when Antonio got on the end of a Cresswell cross only to put the ball over.The home side took the lead on 20 minutes when the under-fire Slimani escaped his marker to convert Albrighton’s cross. The same player could have doubled the lead a few minutes later as he got a toe onto Gray’s ball only to see the ball rebound off the advancing Randolph.
Antonio, Ayew and Payet all had efforts blocked in a goalmouth scramble on 35 minutes and five minutes later Antonio hit the bar after Payet had fed Cresswell to cross from the left. Antonio was then through on goal but found his attempt to play in Ayew blocked. Payet was upended by Huth as the ball broke free, the defender being yellow-carded as a result.
Schmeichel was equal to the free kick and United found themselves on the back foot as Ogbonna picked up a deserved yellow for a cynical tug. Randolph saved superbly from Mahrez’s free-kick as an entertaining 45 minutes came to an end.
Leading one nil at the interval the home side were again fortunate to still have eleven on the pitch early in the second half as Amartey’s shocking challenge left Noble pole-axed on the half way line. Referee Taylor treated Amartey with the same lenience as he had earlier done with Huth whose first half yellow could also have easily been red.
The skipper struggled on for a further ten minutes before being replaced by the returning Lanzini who was immediately involved in the action as Huth had to clear with Carroll threatening.
The Irons made their second change of the afternoon as Feghouli replaced Ayew and he was immediately brought down by Albrighton in a challenge that brought forth the third yellow card of the day.
Cresswell’s low effort from the free kick found Schmeichel in good form making a fine save low to his left.
Nordveit became the fourth player carded when his challenge on Chilwell caught the defender in the ribcage, Taylor possibly having the two other possible red cards in mind in only issuing a yellow when a red would not have been a srprise. Schmeichel became the fifth player cautioned for complaining.
It was a busy day for Taylor as Simpson was cautioned for bringing down Antonio and Lanzini made it seven in the book for a similar challenge a minute later.
Although dominant in the second half, clear chances for United were few and far between, Carroll’s header from Cresswell’s cross going a few feet wide. Randolph, largely a spectator in the second half, saved well from a late Chilwell shot and for all the pressure there was always the chance of a breakaway from the home side.
Ogbonna had a header cleared away halfway through the six minutes of stoppage time but the home side who had shut up shop very early in the second half held out to take all three points.
So a disappointing end to the year for United for whom this match highlighted the need for a striker as, despite monopolising possession in the second half, the lack of a cutting edge proved to be decisive.
So the Hammers end 2016 in 13th place. Next up will Manchester United at the Olympic Stadium with a 5.15 kick off on Bank Holiday Monday (2nd January 2017).
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