Man United’s new signing Romelu Lukaku scores brace on debut, while Anthony Martial and Paul Pogba net one each in 4-0 thrashing of West Ham
Man United's Romuelu Lukaku celebrates his first goal against West Ham during an EPL match at Old Trafford yesterday. Pic/getty images
Romelu Lukaku immediately started to pay off his transfer fee with two goals as Manchester United beat West Ham 4-0 in their Premier League opener yesterday.
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The £75million summer signing struck in each half as United justified pre-season optimism with a sparkling and confident display at Old Trafford.
The Hammers were completely outplayed and could easily have trailed by more goals before substitute Anthony Martial and Paul Pogba finally put a more realistic slant on the scoreline in the closing minutes.
Man United's Anthony Martial (left) and Paul Pogba are ecstatic after their team’s third goal against West Ham United yesterday. Pic/AFP
Man United dominate early
United took control early on and never relinquished their grip, looking a formidable force with new arrivals Lukaku and Nemanja Matic bedding in well.
United won most of the loose balls and were energetic in possession. Matic was outstanding in midfield, covering plenty of ground and laying the foundation for many of United’s attacks.
Lukaku threatened early with a burst down the left and Henrikh Mkhitaryan had a shot blocked and fired over.
Hart did well to block a Juan Mata effort after the Spaniard had been played in by Mkhitaryan and Angelo Ogbonna managed to hack clear as Lukaku looked to pounce.
Mata then slipped the ball past Hart after being set up by a neat flick from Pogba but again Ogbonna cleared.
It came as little surprise when United took the lead after 33 minutes. Pedro Obiang gifted the ball to Matic and Marcus Rashford raced clear to slide in Lukaku. The Belgian finished decisively by thumping in his shot off a post.
Lukaku was denied a hat-trick by a brilliant block from Pablo Zabaleta and Mkhitaryan forced Hart into a good save after a tricky run. Rashford then hit the post from distance and Daley Blind saw a shot bounce over.
The third goal finally came as Mkhitaryan teed up Martial with three minutes remaining and Pogba then added a fourth with a curling shot in the last minute.
Spurs beat Newcastle 2-0
Meanwhile, Dele Alli fired Tottenham to a 2-0 victory at Newcastle yesterday after the England midfielder was involved in the crucial dismissal of Magpies midfielder Jonjo Shelvey.
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