Manchester United has clinched second place in the 2017-18 Premier League table despite being held to a goalless draw by West Ham United at the London Stadium on Thursday.
Tottenham Hotspur’s win over Newcastle United on Wednesday night ensured that the Red Devils still required a point to guarantee runners-up spot behind local rivals Manchester City, and neither side could break the deadlock in the capital as Jose Mourinho’s side moved four points clear of third-placed Spurs with one game to go.
Marko Arnautovic has been the Hammers’ most potent attacker this season, and he almost broke the deadlock after only seven minutes when a sharp turn and run created space for a 25-yard effort which forced David de Gea into his first piece of action.
A sliced clearance from Chris Smalling almost gifted Arnautovic another chance five minutes later, but the Austrian could not readjust his body in time to turn Aaron Cresswell’s cross on target.
Angelo Ogbonna was the next to threaten when he towered over Scott McTominay at the back post to nod a downward header into the arms of De Gea, but United did finally begin to settle into the game around the midway point of the half.
A mistake from Manuel Lanzini gifted the ball to McTominay in a dangerous position and his powerful effort flashed narrowly wide of the target, sparking a spell of intense pressure from the visitors.
Jesse Lingard’s swerving drive needed to be turned away Adrian moments later, but the Spaniard’s best work would come in the 23rd minute when he produced a stunning double save to keep the scores goalless.
The first stop came from Alexis Sanchez as the Chilean swept Antonio Valencia’s low ball towards goal, and after parrying that out towards Luke Shaw Adrian then recovered in time to turn the full-back’s powerful follow-up effort against the post.
West Ham weathered the storm, though, and were soon back on the front foot themselves with Cresswell firing a dipping effort just wide of the target, although De Gea looked to have it covered.
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