Manchester: Two Paul Pogba penalties earned a lethargic Manchester United 2-1 victory over West Ham United in the Premier League at Old Trafford Saturday.
Having lost five of their previous six matches in all competitions, United looked short on confidence early on against West Ham, who had a goal ruled out in the 10th minute when Felipe Anderson was adjudged to be offside when finding the net.
That tight call went United’s way, and soon after they were in front when Pogba hammered home a 19th minute penalty following a Robert Snodgrass foul on Juan Mata, much to the relief of home crowd.
Even with the lead, United remained sluggish and did not muster another shot on target for the rest of the first half during which they saw less of the ball than their visitors.
The interval did little to rejuvenate United with Anderson’s first goal in 14 league games drawing the visitors level just four minutes into the second period. The Brazilian lost his marker Marcos Rojo to fire a Manuel Lanzini cross past United custodian David de Gea.
Michail Antonio twice went close to completing the turnaround for West Ham, but United stole all three points after Pogba again converted from the spot 10 minutes from time.
Substitute Michail Antonio hit the bar with a thunderous strike from distance and was then denied by a brilliant De Gea save.
However, the stop proved crucial as Anthony Martial then raced clear before being upended in the area, with the Frenchman stepping up to fire in his seventh successful penalty of the season.
The win ensured the Red Devils climb above Arsenal into fifth place, two points behind Chelsea, while West Ham stayed 11th.
“They played better than us, it is fair to say, I don’t think anyone will disagree,” Man United manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer said after the match.