De Gea blunder against Hammers costs Man Utd dear
David De Gea made a huge goalkeeping howler as Manchester United suffered a 1-0 defeat at West Ham on Sunday that threatens to send their season into a tailspin.
Just a few days ago United were heavy favourites to finish in the Premier League's top four and qualify for next season's Champions League but now they are wobbling badly while the Hammers look safe from relegation.
The result hinged on a catastrophic first-half error by De Gea, who let a tame shot from Said Benrahma squirm past him in the 27th minute after his team had largely dominated the opening period.
De Gea's blunder came on the day on which he became the most-capped goalkeeper in Manchester United's history, appearing for the 540th time to move ahead of Alex Stepney.
United, who suffered the pain of conceding a last-gasp penalty in their midweek defeat at Brighton, had been boosted by Arsenal's 2-0 win at third-placed Newcastle earlier in the day. But although they are still in fourth place, they are now just one point ahead of red-hot Liverpool, although still with a game in hand.
West Ham, who play in the Europa Conference League semi-finals this week, are seven points clear of the drop zone. David Moyes's Hammers made a bright start in east London, rocking United on their heels before a speedy counter-attack from the visitors, which ended when Marcus Rashford fired over.
With United picking up a head of steam, Bruno Fernandes and then Antony went close. Rashford hit the outside of the post in the 17th minute afer cutting in from the left as the visitors continued to probe.