West Ham United against Manchester United

Free kick on the right hand edge of the box; can Ronaldo deliver something?

United again have the ball in the West Ham half.

Corner for West Ham - but not too many are going up for it!

Four minutes of added time signalled

Scholes drives into the West Ham half but he is repelled by the sheer number of Hammers men.

A last throw of the dice of United: Off goes Heinze on comes Ji-Sun Park

Ronaldo misses the target as his tries a shot from outside the box - there were eight West Ham men cramming the space between him and the goal and West Ham closing in on a famous win

Whistles starting to ring out from those West Ham fans who forgot their watches - four minutes left, at least

Time running out for United!

The ref gives a foul against Sheringham for what can only have been obstruction on Vidic as they jostled for a header

Anton clears the ball ahead of brother Rio Ferdinand - the big defender is making forays up front as Untied chase the game

Some jitters creeping into the West Ham side. As United bring on John O'Shea for Michael Carrick.

Rooney looks riled - would you bet against him taking revenge with a goal?

Rooney furious that a tug on his shirt is not given as a penalty against Collins - a difficult one to call, but Rooney is knows what it should have been

I wonder where the Chelsea team are watching the game? On a coach, on a plane, in airport? Where ever they are they will be loving this!

10 minutes to and on the bench Fergie looks, well he actually looks quite calm. He feels his side can get two goals; I'm not so sure.

Carrick with a great peice of defending nicks the ball off Sheringham before clipping a sweet pass forward to start a new attack

The West Ham crowd are singing their hearts out, and who can blame them?!

A final change for West Ham - Etherington goes off for George McCartney

United are back in top gear - shocked into action by that goal

A superb moment for West Ham and Alan Curbishley. Sheringham nutmegged Heinze on the touchline before play it to the feet of Harewood who should great strength to hold of Rio Ferdinand before slipping a pass into the box for the much maligned Reo-Coker to slot home from three yards

Goal to West Ham!!

To reiterate, unless United score they will be just three points ahead of Chelsea at the top of the league, instead of five that a goal and a win would mean

And here comes the United change; on comes Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, but the man making way is Ryan Giggs; meaning United have Rooney, Saha and Solskjaer huntnig for the vital goal

Reo-Coker rightly booked for an idiotic foul on the running Ronaldo right in front of the ref - foolish boy.

20 minutes to go and United are still not really any closer to breaking the deadlock. You sense that if West Ham stop battling, and settle for a draw they will concede - as it is they are still attacking and stretching United

Another change for West Ham: Off goes Mullins on comes Benayoun

Rooney is closed down in the box by Bowyer - good defending by Bowyer

Harewood again gets a decision against him - but this one is not enough for a booking

Well done Etherington and Harewood - they close down Vidic and win a corner in an advanced area

Spector again does well after a moment of panic in the West Ham box. Saha's loose ball was played into the danger area by a flustered Konchesky, but Spector closed down Rooney

Freekick against Harewood for a fullblooded challenge on Heinze - the ref has a word; one more and you're booked

Vidic goes down like ton of brick in the area after a slight contact from Anton Ferdinand - more to do with a shocking first touch, but he milks the attention.

Corner to United after Collins wins the ball ahead of Rooney in the box

Konchesky, who thus far has been quietly efficient today, wastes possession with a pointless volleyed clearance to no-one. Distribution, people! Please use the ball.

Foul given against Mullins for a firm, but fair, challenge on Carrick

Ryan Giggs turns, swivels and hits a shot over the bar from 8 yards after a pull back from the byline. 30 minutes left, but are United going to rue these missed chances?

Saha might be the next to be subbed with Solskjaer warming up - and after his latest profligacy it might be overdue

Neat skill from Bowyer as he evades the attentions of Ronaldo

A change for West Ham off goes Bobby Zamora, on comes Teddy Sheringham - to the delight of both sets of fans!

Still lots of fight and spirit in the West Ham ranks - still full of running

A left-footed effort from Gary Neville is what you's expect: terrible. Goal kick to West Ham.

Superb save from Green! Saha slips a cute ball into Ronaldo who is unlucky to see a low curling effort pushed out for a corner

Etherington still looks full of running and has been involved in most of West Ham's brightest moments. This is not a side that deserves to fight relegation.

Reo-Coker dallies on the ball and is quickly shut down by Scholed. The West Ham man really should have used the ball, either to shoot or pass, but he did neither. That's why they boo you Nigel - wake-up!

Vidic with a terrivle tackle on Harewood - he takes both lefs and wins a yellow card for his rash efforts.

Reo-Coker with a great tackle on Saha

Good work from Spector; he prevents a corner and clears his line despite the close attentions or Ronaldo

Towering header from Rio - but Etherignton claims the loose ball and feeds it to Zamora who lashes a shot over the bar

The freekick - some 40 yards out - is fired in by Ronaldo and gathered at the second time of asking by Green - lucky.

Heinze slips a good, fast ball into Ronaldo who is fouled by former United man Jonathan Spector

Oh dear - another terrible clearance by Green, such a waste of the ball. United have a throw.

Collins deals with an early moment of pressure and Green collects the ball

United's gap at the top is currently just 2 points after Chelsea's stunning 3-2 win over Everton earlier today.

No changes at the break for either side as we get back underway

Keep it here for the second 45 to see if Curbs can get a debut win as West Ham boss

So it's 0-0 at halftime and United are much the better team but have been a little sloppy at the back. They have created the better chances but not been clinical enough; a criticism that could be levelled at West Ham.

That's the half

Just one added minute to play

Curbs will be very happy with the scoreline if it stays this way at half-time!

Ronaldo and Scholes feed the ball to Neville who hoists a hopefull ball into the box which comes to nought.

Saha is mystified that a shot turned away by the keeper is given as a freekick for an earlier offside call that he hadn't heard

Another 'route 1' punt from Robert Green is dealt with by United and West Ham are again on the back foot - that is too easy for United.

Shouts from the touchline emplore Harewood to do more defensive work; he hears and applies himself to chasing down the United defenders who have been allowed too much time to choose their passes

Etherington flights a ball into the United area but it is dealt with comfortably by Neville

A missed header in the area by Anton Ferdinand gifts Rooney an unexpected header; but he hasn't got time to set himself and the effort is galnced wide

Zamora and Rio are ahving a classic tussle with Harewood and Zamora; four big men giving it their all in a fair, but physical contest. Good to see.

United are the better side but must concentrate or a spirited West Ham could punish them with a sucker-punch

Scholes is robbed by Bowyer and Harewood fnid himself on the edge of the box, but he is outnumbered 4-1 and can't get through

Scholes charges the freekick down and West Ham can feel cheated

Referee Dowd not handling the freekick well with plenty of encroachment from the wall and Paul Scholes

Hareweood wins a freekick in a dangerous position on the edge of the United box after falling under a combined challenge from Scholes and Carrick

Another flowing move for United ends with Etherington blocking a shot and conceding a corner

West Ham won't get too many clear-cut chances against United

A lucky escpae for United as Zamora out-muscles Rio and sees his shot saved well by Van der Sar

Giggs takes the corner - United's 5th, but a foul is given against Vidic for an over-zealous jump

Giggs whips ina freekick from the right which is clipped out for a corner by Bowyer

A slipshod moment from Rio lets Harewood in but the lumbering striker fails to capitalise on the rare moment of space

A poor ball from Rooney is intercepted to the cheers of all the Hammers fans

More boos this time for Ronaldo - but he doesn't care; he runs in on goal and tries a drive straight at Green

A quiet spell in the game as united take their foot off the gas and start spreading play, looking for the opening.

Sad to hear boos being directed at West Ham old boy Carrick

West Ham are getting a few chances but are unable to hold onto the ball for very long, especially in the opposing half.

Another nice team move from United; started by a reverse pass from Rooney to Neville ends with Ronaldo sat on the floor asking why the ref hasn't given a foul against him - meanwhile play continues and West Ham charge forward

Green's clearance is met by Vidic with a towering defensive header - West Ham will need to be a bit more subtle than that

Saha fires in sweet drive low, which the keeper turns away from his post - he's keeping United at bay single handed!

Scholes drops deep into defence to get the ball and get things moving

Vidic is lucky to be given a foul his way after he barged into Bowyer when they went for a 50-50 header

Saha is out-numbered by West Ham players but poor distribution of the ball lets them down and United are back in possession

A venomous shot from Marlon Harewood flies just over Van der Sar's goal

Carrick has the measure of Reo-Coker in midfield and seems to winning mose of the lose balls

Tevez is on the bench today in what is Curbishley first squad - the Argentine doesn't look happy about it!

Foul by Bowyer on Heinze after a good ball into the box

Former United player Jonathan Spector meets his old club today

A great ball into the box from Bowyer on the right wing for West Ham is met by Etherington but his header is off-target

Excellent pressure and all-round play from United with Heinze, Rooney, Ronaldo and Neville all playing their part in a flowing move which ended with a save by Green

Rio's header back across the box is calmly dealt with by Green and West Ham clear

Giggs' corner is poor, but the ball ends up back with him and he wis another corner of Mullins

Saha's powerful drive to the byline results in a corner for United

Good defensive work from Rio Ferdinand (facing his brother Anton today) and Vidic - both looking much more comfortable as central pairing for United.

Rooney tries his luck from range but his shot flies over Green's goal

Scholes and Carrick get the ball in midfield and get control of the game after West Ham's bold opening efforts

Great atmosphere in the stadium as the West Ham fans get behind their team

West Ham unlucky not to make their pressure count: Etherington and Mullins carved a chance for Zamora but he couldn't dig the ball out from his feet to fire on goal

Mullins looks for Etherington down the left wing but Neville has it covered

A bright start for United with Giggs coming close in the opening seconds

Today's referee Phil Dowd blows his whislte and we're underway in what is a new era for West Ham Utd.

And for Man Utd: Van der Sar, Neville, Ferdinand, Vidic, Heinze, Ronaldo, Carrick, Scholes, Giggs, Rooney and Saha. And the subs: Kuszczak, Park, Solskjaer, O'Shea, Silvestre.

The teams are taking the pitch. Lining-up for Green, Spector, Anton Ferdinand, Collins, Konchesky, Bowyer, Reo-Coker, Mullins, Etherington Harewood and Zamora. On the subs bench: Carroll, McCartney, Sheringham, Benayoun, Tevez.

And for Curbs it could be 16 defeats in 16 games as a manager against Sir Alex Ferguson!

It's Alan Curbishley's first match in charge of West Ham, and it couldn't be tought: they face Premiership leaders Manchester United.

10 minutes to and on the bench Fergie looks, well he actually looks quite calm. He feels his side can get two goals; I'm not so sure.

Carrick with a great peice of defending nicks the ball off Sheringham before clipping a sweet pass forward to start a new attack

The West Ham crowd are singing their hearts out, and who can blame them?!

A final change for West Ham - Etherington goes off for George McCartney

United are back in top gear - shocked into action by that goal

A superb moment for West Ham and Alan Curbishley. Sheringham nutmegged Heinze on the touchline before play it to the feet of Harewood who should great strength to hold of Rio Ferdinand before slipping a pass into the box for the much maligned Reo-Coker to slot home from three yards

Goal to West Ham!!

To reiterate, unless United score they will be just three points ahead of Chelsea at the top of the league, instead of five that a goal and a win would mean

And here comes the United change; on comes Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, but the man making way is Ryan Giggs; meaning United have Rooney, Saha and Solskjaer huntnig for the vital goal

Reo-Coker rightly booked for an idiotic foul on the running Ronaldo right in front of the ref - foolish boy.

20 minutes to go and United are still not really any closer to breaking the deadlock. You sense that if West Ham stop battling, and settle for a draw they will concede - as it is they are still attacking and stretching United

Another change for West Ham: Off goes Mullins on comes Benayoun

Rooney is closed down in the box by Bowyer - good defending by Bowyer

Harewood again gets a decision against him - but this one is not enough for a booking

Well done Etherington and Harewood - they close down Vidic and win a corner in an advanced area

Spector again does well after a moment of panic in the West Ham box. Saha's loose ball was played into the danger area by a flustered Konchesky, but Spector closed down Rooney

Freekick against Harewood for a fullblooded challenge on Heinze - the ref has a word; one more and you're booked

Vidic goes down like ton of brick in the area after a slight contact from Anton Ferdinand - more to do with a shocking first touch, but he milks the attention.

Corner to United after Collins wins the ball ahead of Rooney in the box

Konchesky, who thus far has been quietly efficient today, wastes possession with a pointless volleyed clearance to no-one. Distribution, people! Please use the ball.

Foul given against Mullins for a firm, but fair, challenge on Carrick

Ryan Giggs turns, swivels and hits a shot over the bar from 8 yards after a pull back from the byline. 30 minutes left, but are United going to rue these missed chances?

Saha might be the next to be subbed with Solskjaer warming up - and after his latest profligacy it might be overdue

Neat skill from Bowyer as he evades the attentions of Ronaldo

A change for West Ham off goes Bobby Zamora, on comes Teddy Sheringham - to the delight of both sets of fans!

Still lots of fight and spirit in the West Ham ranks - still full of running

A left-footed effort from Gary Neville is what you's expect: terrible. Goal kick to West Ham.

Superb save from Green! Saha slips a cute ball into Ronaldo who is unlucky to see a low curling effort pushed out for a corner

Etherington still looks full of running and has been involved in most of West Ham's brightest moments. This is not a side that deserves to fight relegation.

Reo-Coker dallies on the ball and is quickly shut down by Scholed. The West Ham man really should have used the ball, either to shoot or pass, but he did neither. That's why they boo you Nigel - wake-up!

Vidic with a terrivle tackle on Harewood - he takes both lefs and wins a yellow card for his rash efforts.

Reo-Coker with a great tackle on Saha

Good work from Spector; he prevents a corner and clears his line despite the close attentions or Ronaldo

Towering header from Rio - but Etherignton claims the loose ball and feeds it to Zamora who lashes a shot over the bar

The freekick - some 40 yards out - is fired in by Ronaldo and gathered at the second time of asking by Green - lucky.

Heinze slips a good, fast ball into Ronaldo who is fouled by former United man Jonathan Spector

Oh dear - another terrible clearance by Green, such a waste of the ball. United have a throw.

Collins deals with an early moment of pressure and Green collects the ball

United's gap at the top is currently just 2 points after Chelsea's stunning 3-2 win over Everton earlier today.

No changes at the break for either side as we get back underway

Keep it here for the second 45 to see if Curbs can get a debut win as West Ham boss

So it's 0-0 at halftime and United are much the better team but have been a little sloppy at the back. They have created the better chances but not been clinical enough; a criticism that could be levelled at West Ham.

That's the half

Just one added minute to play

Curbs will be very happy with the scoreline if it stays this way at half-time!

Ronaldo and Scholes feed the ball to Neville who hoists a hopefull ball into the box which comes to nought.

Saha is mystified that a shot turned away by the keeper is given as a freekick for an earlier offside call that he hadn't heard

Another 'route 1' punt from Robert Green is dealt with by United and West Ham are again on the back foot - that is too easy for United.

Shouts from the touchline emplore Harewood to do more defensive work; he hears and applies himself to chasing down the United defenders who have been allowed too much time to choose their passes

Etherington flights a ball into the United area but it is dealt with comfortably by Neville

A missed header in the area by Anton Ferdinand gifts Rooney an unexpected header; but he hasn't got time to set himself and the effort is galnced wide

Zamora and Rio are ahving a classic tussle with Harewood and Zamora; four big men giving it their all in a fair, but physical contest. Good to see.

United are the better side but must concentrate or a spirited West Ham could punish them with a sucker-punch

Scholes is robbed by Bowyer and Harewood fnid himself on the edge of the box, but he is outnumbered 4-1 and can't get through

Scholes charges the freekick down and West Ham can feel cheated

Referee Dowd not handling the freekick well with plenty of encroachment from the wall and Paul Scholes

Hareweood wins a freekick in a dangerous position on the edge of the United box after falling under a combined challenge from Scholes and Carrick

Another flowing move for United ends with Etherington blocking a shot and conceding a corner

West Ham won't get too many clear-cut chances against United

A lucky escpae for United as Zamora out-muscles Rio and sees his shot saved well by Van der Sar

Giggs takes the corner - United's 5th, but a foul is given against Vidic for an over-zealous jump

Giggs whips ina freekick from the right which is clipped out for a corner by Bowyer

A slipshod moment from Rio lets Harewood in but the lumbering striker fails to capitalise on the rare moment of space

A poor ball from Rooney is intercepted to the cheers of all the Hammers fans

More boos this time for Ronaldo - but he doesn't care; he runs in on goal and tries a drive straight at Green

A quiet spell in the game as united take their foot off the gas and start spreading play, looking for the opening.

Sad to hear boos being directed at West Ham old boy Carrick

West Ham are getting a few chances but are unable to hold onto the ball for very long, especially in the opposing half.

Another nice team move from United; started by a reverse pass from Rooney to Neville ends with Ronaldo sat on the floor asking why the ref hasn't given a foul against him - meanwhile play continues and West Ham charge forward

Green's clearance is met by Vidic with a towering defensive header - West Ham will need to be a bit more subtle than that

Saha fires in sweet drive low, which the keeper turns away from his post - he's keeping United at bay single handed!

Scholes drops deep into defence to get the ball and get things moving

Vidic is lucky to be given a foul his way after he barged into Bowyer when they went for a 50-50 header

Saha is out-numbered by West Ham players but poor distribution of the ball lets them down and United are back in possession

A venomous shot from Marlon Harewood flies just over Van der Sar's goal

Carrick has the measure of Reo-Coker in midfield and seems to winning mose of the lose balls

Tevez is on the bench today in what is Curbishley first squad - the Argentine doesn't look happy about it!

Foul by Bowyer on Heinze after a good ball into the box

Former United player Jonathan Spector meets his old club today

A great ball into the box from Bowyer on the right wing for West Ham is met by Etherington but his header is off-target

Excellent pressure and all-round play from United with Heinze, Rooney, Ronaldo and Neville all playing their part in a flowing move which ended with a save by Green

Rio's header back across the box is calmly dealt with by Green and West Ham clear

Giggs' corner is poor, but the ball ends up back with him and he wis another corner of Mullins

Saha's powerful drive to the byline results in a corner for United

Good defensive work from Rio Ferdinand (facing his brother Anton today) and Vidic - both looking much more comfortable as central pairing for United.

Rooney tries his luck from range but his shot flies over Green's goal

Scholes and Carrick get the ball in midfield and get control of the game after West Ham's bold opening efforts

Great atmosphere in the stadium as the West Ham fans get behind their team

West Ham unlucky not to make their pressure count: Etherington and Mullins carved a chance for Zamora but he couldn't dig the ball out from his feet to fire on goal

Mullins looks for Etherington down the left wing but Neville has it covered

A bright start for United with Giggs coming close in the opening seconds

Today's referee Phil Dowd blows his whislte and we're underway in what is a new era for West Ham Utd.

And for Man Utd: Van der Sar, Neville, Ferdinand, Vidic, Heinze, Ronaldo, Carrick, Scholes, Giggs, Rooney and Saha. And the subs: Kuszczak, Park, Solskjaer, O'Shea, Silvestre.

The teams are taking the pitch. Lining-up for Green, Spector, Anton Ferdinand, Collins, Konchesky, Bowyer, Reo-Coker, Mullins, Etherington Harewood and Zamora. On the subs bench: Carroll, McCartney, Sheringham, Benayoun, Tevez.

And for Curbs it could be 16 defeats in 16 games as a manager against Sir Alex Ferguson!

It's Alan Curbishley's first match in charge of West Ham, and it couldn't be tought: they face Premiership leaders Manchester United.