Ruud stamps mark on Hammers

Wednesday, 29, Mar 2006 10:33

Ruud van Nistelrooy marked his return to the Manchester United starting line-up with the only goal as the Reds beat West Ham 1-0 at Old Trafford.

The Dutchman has been linked with a move in the summer after spending much of the last month on the bench but he took his chance against the Hammers to help United move five points clear of third place Liverpool.

However, the home side should have won by more as they dominated large periods of the game.

Despite United's dominance, West Ham began the brightest and United goalkeeper Edwin van der Sar was forced into a good save from Hayden Mullins.

Dean Ashton was then presented with a golden opportunity as van der Sar palmed the ball into the path of Lionel Scaloni but the former Norwich forward couldn't direct the on-loan defender's shot goalwards.

However, it was United who began to dominate soon after and the visitors were lucky not to give a penalty away as Danny Gabbidon brought down Cristiano Ronaldo.

Nemanja Vidic was then inches away from scoring his first goal for the club as his low shot went through a crowd of players but came back off the post.

United were ahead before the break as van Nistelrooy struck in injury time.

Park Ji-Sung went past Paul Konchesky on the right wing and cut the ball back to the Dutchman, who finished well from eight yards.

However, despite their dominance in the second-half, United could not increase their lead, despite Wayne Rooney coming close when he struck a post.