Manchester United went into tonight's encounter with West Ham United at Old Trafford knowing that a victory would keep them top of the Premier League table.
It looked as though they were going to cruise to a win when Robin van Persie put them 1-0 up within the opening minute of the match.
However, despite not troubling the scorers, visiting West Ham battled hard thereafter and competed throughout.
Below is how the match unfolded with our minute-by-minute commentary.
Evening all. Well, we've got a busy midweek here at Sports Mole! The fixtures calender obviously doesn't like to give us a break! Here we are bringing you Man United's home encounter against West Ham. Any chance of an upset? Well, with the way that United have been defending, you never know...
There is no team news coming out of Old Trafford yet, but from a United point of view we already know a couple of things. Paul Scholes is suspended because he has picked up five yellow cards this season. The former England international is likely to be replaced by Anderson.
Sir Alex Ferguson has actually been very complimentary of the Brazilian midfielder this week. He came on against QPR with United trailing and helped turn the game in his side's favour. Here is some of what Ferguson has had to say.
And with that, we have the team news...
Man United X1: Lindegaard; Rafael, Evans, Smalling, Evra; Anderson, Carrick, Cleverley; Hernandez, Rooney, Van Persie
Well that is attacking from Sir Alex. It looks as though he's addressed his side's defensive problems by saying: 'We'll score more than you.' Wayne Rooney, Robin van Persie and Javier Hernandez all start, as does Anderson. Rio Ferdinand is rested and is replaced by Chris Smalling.
West Ham X1: Jaaskelainen; Demel, O'Brien, Reid, Collins; Tomkins, Diame, Nolan, Jarvis, Taylor; Carroll
There's no massive surprises from Sam Allardyce there. He's gone 4-5-1, with Andy Carroll charged with the task of leading the West Ham line. The likes of Kevin Nolan and Matt Jarvis will provide the support to the England man.
There's one player in that West Ham lineup that has history at Old Trafford. Both of Allardyce's victories at Old Trafford came during his stint in charge of Bolton Wanderers and on both occasions Nolan was among the goalscorers. The Liverpool-born midfielder has also shown his clinical instincts on several occasions this season and he'll no doubt be looking to benefit from United's frailties.
It would be fair to say that West Ham do not head to the North West with the best of records at Old Trafford. Their last two trips have ended in 3-0 defeats.
The last time they did manage to get the better of the Red Devils in Manchester was back in 2007. In fact, had they not have won that day, this fixture may not even be happening. With terrible financial problems, the Hammers needed to beat United to stand any chance of staying in the Premier League on the final day of the season. With the hosts already champions, they took their foot of the gas and Alan Curbishley's side took full advantage thanks to a strike from a certain Carlos Tevez, who joined United that summer!
For West Ham fans, here is said goal:
Another memorable afternoon for West Ham fans at Old Trafford will be the one which saw United's error-strewn goalkeeper Fabian Barthez make a clown of himself (again)! Paolo Di Canio took full advantage:
Now the reason for these videos is because, in truth, West Ham victories at Old Trafford are hard to come by. Since 1986, there has been 21 meetings between the two, with the Hammers emerging victorious from just three.
While West Ham have a goalscorer in Nolan, United are not exactly lacking are they?! One player in particular that likes to play against West Ham is Rooney. He's got seven goals in his last four games against the Hammers - including a hat-trick back in April 2011.
Out of interest, this isn't the only we've got covered live for you on Sports Mole this evening, oh no! We also have Everton vs. Arsenal, Chelsea vs. Fulham, Spurs vs. Liverpool and Wigan vs. Man City
Talking of the Arsenal match, Theo Walcott has put them 1-0 up at Goodison Park within the opening minute - what a start! West Ham will be hoping to avoid a similar fate when this one gets started in just over 10 minutes.
Let's quickly take a look at both benches for tonight...
Man United: De Gea, Jones, Ferdinand, Young, Welbeck, Fletcher, Buttner
West Ham: Spiegel, Spence, Maiga, Cole, Lletget, O'Neil, Moncur
Right, the players are now in the tunnel. Incidentally, the United players will be wearing black armbands tonight in memory of their former manager Dave Sexton, who passed away at the weekend.
The meet and greet is all completed now. The players are just going through their final routines before we get started.
The home side get us off and running...
GOAL! Man United 1-0 West Ham (Van Persie)
What a start for Man United! Van Persie shows great skill on the edge of the box to free himself, before seeing his low shot deflect into the net off of James Collins. Time seemed to stand still for moment there! I said West Ham did not want to copy Everton by conceding early and that's exactly what they've gone and done!
CHANCE! First sight of goal for West Ham as United fail to clear their lines. The ball drops to Andy Carroll on the edge of the box, but he scuffs well wide.
BOOKING! Cynical stuff from Nolan, who deservedly goes into the book for a late sliding challenge on Tom Cleverley.
That Carroll chance aside, it's been all Man United so far. They are seeing a lot of the ball and continually probe for a route few the West Ham rearguard. The visitors cannot afford to concede again at the moment.
CHANCE! A really good opportunity goes a begging for West Ham. Nolan is the man on the spot, flicking the ball goalwards from close range. Unfortunately for him it hits the side netting. That's a warning for United though.
Still United continue to see a lot of the ball, although they have done very little with it. West Ham are making it difficult and are getting 11 men behind the ball whenever possible.
CHANCE! A lovely threaded pass from Anderson inside his own half releases Javier Hernandez, who races down the wing. He's lacking in support though and instead lashes a shot over from a narrow angle.
A couple of West Ham corners come to nothing but it's positive stuff from the Hammers. On both occasions Lindegaard in the United goal was called into action to prevent the danger.
CHANCE! Another shot at goal for West Ham. It's Carroll again who the ball drops to inside the area, but he volleys over the bar. The Hammers are sending the ball into the box and it's causing problems for United at the moment.
SAVE! That's a little better from the home team. Rafael pulls the ball back to Anderson on the edge of the area. He takes one touch to steady himself, before curling the ball straight into the hands of Jussi Jaaskelainen. The Finnish keeper then reacts quickly to deny Hernandez down low.
West Ham had a spell around five minutes ago where they got into this match but it's now all United again. They're not creating much, but they're making West Ham work extremely hard. That could tell in the second half.
Anderson is repaying Ferguson's faith in him at the moment. He's standing in the midfield and spraying the passes around the pitch which are more often than not finding one of his teammates.
Oh dear Hernandez! Anderson picks him out inside the area, putting him one-on-one with defender Collins. His touch is far too heavy though and the ball dribbles out for a goal kick to West Ham.
We've got at least one minute of stoppage time...
HALF-TIME: Man United 1-0 West Ham
For once Man United get the first goal in a match and it was an early one. However, the battering that West Ham must have feared never materialised. In fairness to the visitors they've reacted well to going to behind and have defended extremely well.
That Van Persie goal was timed at 33 seconds by the way! It's a hard one to call actually and could be one for the dubious goals panel. In fairness to Van Persie his tame effort looked to be on target, but Collins made it unstoppable for Jaaskelainen.
Not long now until we are back underway at Old Trafford. Not expecting there to be any changes from either manager, unless there are any injuries. There will be a stage where West Ham have to open up more though if they are to get something from this match.
West Ham get the second half started...
A couple of early West Ham corners come to nothing. Having said that, it's a positive start from the Hammers. A signal of intent maybe.
CHANCE! First effort of the half goes the way of United and Cleverley. Van Persie knocked the ball down for the England international on the edge of the box and he instantly lashed goalwards. The ball flashed over the bar though.
United are beginning to look like they are missing some width. Traditionally the Red Devils have played with natural wingers under Ferguson but it's a very narrow three in midfield tonight. At times a United player has got their head up and looked wide, only to find no-one there.
SAVE! A floated freekick from Van Persie 20 yards from goal goes straight into Jaaskelainen's hands. An easy save for the Finn.
SAVE! Some harder work for Jaaskelainen, who is called into action in double quick time to deny first Rooney then Michael Carrick at the near post. United are beginning to move through the gears now.
SUBSTITUTION: A limping Andy Carroll is replaced by Carlton Cole. Being on loan from Liverpool, the departing Carroll doesn't get the greatest of receptions from the home faithful, as you can imagine!
SUBSTITUTION: It's United's turn to make an alteration. Cleverley is off and Ashley Young comes on to give United some width.
Young's first contribution is to get down the left-hand side and drill in a low cross, which Jaaskelainen collects. Had anyone gambled at the near post there, it would have been 2-0 to United.
SUBSTITUTION: Second switch of the night for West Ham. Jarvis is the man who comes off, with Maiga replacing him.
SAVE! Anderson is having a really good game tonight. Here he sees his swerving low effort saved by the feet of Jaaskelainen.
SUBSTITUTION: Final change of the night made by West Ham. Diame is given a breather as Gary O'Neill enters the action.
BOOKING! Michael Carrick goes into the book for tugging back O'Neill.
SUBSTITUTION: A quiet night comes to an early end for Rooney, who trudges off to be replaced by Danny Welbeck.
Very little happening at the moment. If anything, it looks as though that flurry of substitutions has disrupted things.
SAVE! A fantastic stop from Lindegaard keeps United in front. A long free kick drops to Cole, who swivels six yards from goal and shoots low. The Dane gets down well though to push the ball wide, before Maiga is flagged offside.
SUBSTITUTION: Last switch for the home side as the terrific Anderson is replaced by Phil Jones, who is likely to sit in the midfield despite being a natural defender.
CHANCE! Another threat from West Ham. This time Maiga wriggles free from Evans and fires in a shot. It's always rising though and the ball flies over the bar.
West Ham have three minutes of stoppage time to find an equaliser...
The Hammers are seeing a lot of the ball and a mistake from Evra almost lets West Ham in. Evans gets back to cover though.
FULL-TIME: Man United 1-0 West Ham
It was not what you would call vintage United, but they've got the job done and remain top of the table. It's the sort of performance that no-one will remember if they go on to win the league come May. From a West Ham point of view, they battled hard and didn't crumble after going a goal behind so easy.
That's all for tonight from Old Trafford. Thanks for joining us this evening. Be sure to check out our analysis of the action, which will be with you shortly.
