Lukaku fires Man United to the top of the Premier League with two goals on his debut in 4-0 win over West Ham United

August 13, 2017
| Report Focus News
Manchester United's Belgian striker Romelu Lukaku celebrates scoring the opening goal with Manchester United's English striker Marcus Rashford during the English Premier League football match between Manchester United and West Ham United at Old Trafford in Manchester, north west England, on August 13, 2017. / AFP PHOTO / Oli SCARFF / RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE. No use with unauthorized audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos or 'live' services. Online in-match use limited to 75 images, no video emulation. No use in betting, games or single club/league/player publications. / (Photo credit should read OLI SCARFF/AFP/Getty Images)

Manchester United thrash West Ham United 4-0 at home in their first game of the new Premier League season, firing them to the top of the table on goal difference, thanks to summer signing Romelu Lukaku scoring twice on his Premier League debut and a gaol each from Anthony Martial and Paul Pogba.

After 33 minutes of play, Marcus Rashford intercepted a poor pass in midfield from Pedro Obiang, dribbling forward and slotting a through ball to Lukaku who smashed his shot off the inside of the far post.

On the 52nd minute, Mkhitaryan set up Lukaku for his second with a free kick from the left, crossing to the centre forward who arrived for an initial fee of £75m from Everton this summer.

Sandwiched between Winston Reid and Arthur Masuaku, he rose the highest and headed down to the bottom corner to score his 11th goal in 13 appearances against West Ham.

Man United wrapped the game up in the last few minutes when after 87 minutes of play, Mkhitaryan sent a beautiful through ball forward to Martial with his first touch, setting him up for a tap him and substitute Martial did just that, slotting home with a low shot.

And just three minutes later, from outside the box, Pogba curled the ball low into the bottom corner, beating Joe Hart, on loan from Manchester City and on his debut for West Ham.

Man United dominated the match in what was highest win home or away since 2014.

New £40m signing Nemanja Matic, who manager Jose Mourinho described as his “perfect player”, was SkySports Man of The Match for his performance breaking up play and starting counter-attacks for United.

United could have scored more, creating many chances with Rashford cutting inside on the 66th minute, leaving Pablo Zabaleta behind and drilling a powerful shot from the edge of the box that struck the far post with force, flying across the goal-line.

West Ham’s best chance came on the 59th minute when Edimilson Fernandes lobbed a ball into the box to Marko Arnautovic whose header towards goal was knocked onto the bar and over by David De Gea.

Lukaku has scored on his Premier League debut for three different clubs, West Bromwich Albion, Everton and now Man United.

The former Everton and Chelsea striker said: “To play in front of such a crowd for such a great crowd is a dream come true. The fans want to see attractive football.

“When you play for Manchester United, you have a job to do and mine is to score goals. It is promising.”

Man United now sit in top of the Premier League table, above Huddersfield by goal difference and next Saturday face Swansea City away while West Ham sit bottom behind Crystal Palace and Newcastle by goal difference and travel to Southampton next Saturday.