The passion of the FA cup had certainly reached fever pitch at Upton park on Saturday evening. Virtually the last kick of the game RVP scored a superb equaliser and cue delirious celebrations on the terraces and the dugout.
United made several changes where Buttner, Scholes made rare starts and Rafael made an appearance on the wing. The goalkeeping situation suggests that De Gea has made the number 1 spot his own, after his 2 clean sheets in the last week.
United started very confidently and were knocking the ball about swiftly with Cleverley make some prominent runs and Welbeck and Hernandez were moving the West ham defence around.
United got the breakthrough when a break down the right and Rafael cross went across the penalty box where a Tom Cleverley unmarked stroked the ball home and United were up and running.
The lead did not last long as Joe Cole on his return back to West ham put in a cross where James Collins headed past a stranded De Gea. West ham had there tails up and were soon running the midfield. Paul Scholes was soon in trouble and was given a yellow card for a mistimed tackle.
United's defence was struggling with the flow of crosses coming in and half time could not have come sooner. However, Welbeck had a great chance to score but came close after a great run through the defence.
The second half saw an exact same Joe Cole cross met by James Collins header to score a fantastic header to give the Hammers the lead. United were pressing hard but without any success and the likelihood was that the Hammers could increase there lead.
United sent on RVP and Valencia to shake things up as Sir Alex was visibly looking worried by the threat of an early exit from the cup. As the 90th minute approached Giggs had a wonderful chance to head the equaliser from a Rafael cross but the veteran headed over from 6 yards.
At that point 4 minutes was announced as stoppage time and Ryan Giggs received the ball and sent a wonderful long range ball over the West Ham defence and RVP controlled the ball with his left foot then smashed the ball with his right foot into the Hammers net. Cue the celebrations and relief. Valencia had a chance with the last kick off the game but blasted high.
So a replay Wednesday week is something to look forward and who says the FA cup is dead.
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