London, Jan 04 (AFP): Manchester United closed to within a point of the Premier League top four after a controversial 2-0 victory at 10-man West Ham United on Monday. Goals from Juan Mata and Zlatan Ibrahimovic — his 12th in 12 games — gave Jose Mourinho's side victory after Sofiane Feghouli was harshly sent off for West Ham.
It was United's seventh win in a row in all competitions and while they remain in sixth place, they are certainly looking up rather than down. United are level on points with fifth-place Tottenham Hotspur, one point behind fourth-place Arsenal and 10 adrift of runaway leaders Chelsea, who visit Spurs on Wednesday.
Referee Mike Dean's decision to send off West Ham midfielder Feghouli in the 15th minute was comfortably the biggest talking point of the evening. The Algerian momentarily lost control of the ball as he drove towards goal, allowing Phil Jones a chance to challenge.
Both players lunged in, Jones scissoring Sofiane with both legs as he just got to the ball first, and with the United centre-back writhing on the ground, Dean brandished a red card.
West Ham’s spurned opportunities throughout the game took on new significance when two United substitutes — Marcus Rashford and Mata — combined to put United in front in the 63rd minute.
Rashford, who had only just arrived on the pitch, crossed low from the left and Mata, who replaced Matteo Darmian at half-time, swept home his sixth goal of the season.
It was 2-0 in the 78th minute, Ibrahimovic slamming home after the home defence failed to clear for his 18th goal for the club. Replays showed the 35-year-old was in an offside position, but the goal was allowed to stand.