Jonathan Spector Scores Stunning Pair Against Manchester United: Video

Relegated to the fringes of the U.S. national team program and the darkest corner of the West Ham bench, Jonathan Spector had a game for the ages on Tuesday afternoon, scoring the first two goals of his pro career and, perhaps, revitalizing it in the process.

Spector, 24, had played just twice for the Hammers this season, but was given the start on Tuesday against Manchester United, of all teams, in a League Cup quarterfinal at London's Upton Park. And he was put in central midfield.

Spector, of course, is a right back. But with several players out injured and normal midfield starter Lars Jacobsen ineligible because he already appeared for Blackburn in this season's edition of England's second-tier cup competition, West Ham manager Avram Grant opted to get creative.

When your team is dead last in the Premier League, a match like Tuesday's affords a coach the opportunity to take a few chances.

Now Grant looks like a genius. West Ham routed United, 4-0, handing the Premier League leaders their first defeat this season. The Red Devils had gone 23 matches unbeaten in all competitions. The Hammers are on to the semifinals, and Spector was the hero, scoring the first two goals.

It was clear early that Spector was playing "out of position" in the early moments. A strong run with the ball led to a an apparent 15th-minute goal from Victor Obinna, but Spector continued and was called offside.

The pair combined again in the 18th minute, and this time it would stand. The Nigerian was the set-up man this time, hitting a cross that Spector dove to meet for a perfect, looping header.

The headed goal was his first in more than seven seasons in England with United, Charlton Athletic and West Ham (some sources credit him with a league goal against Derby County three years ago, but it was later ruled an own goal).

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Incredibly, Spector doubled his total for the game, and his career, in the 36th minute, racing toward a loose ball in the penalty area and finishing from six yards.

Carlton Cole added goals in the 56th and 66th minutes to provide for the final margin.

The League Cup semis are played over two legs and will be contested in January. Arsenal advanced on Tuesday with a victory over Wigan Athletic, while the remaining two spots will go to the winners of Wednesday's Ipswich Town-West Bromwich Albion and Birmingham City-Aston Villa matches.

Meanwhile, West Ham has a relegation battle to deal with. It's at the bottom of the 20-team league at 2-7-6.

However, it may have discovered a new weapon on Tuesday in the form of Spector. He'd had a difficult year -- making the World Cup roster but failing to play a minute in South Africa and then being left to twist in the wind at Upton Park.

His performance against United surely will attract some interest, either at his own club or another.

Here's the video from Spector's historic evening: