Man Utd break West Ham hearts in Fergie time – but fans finally have some hope
WEST HAM 1-1 MANCHESTER UNITED: Benjamin Sesko scored an audacious equaliser in added-on time, as both sets of fans were left unhappy at dropped points
The wait for Manchester United goes on. But at least they salvaged a point with Benjamin Sesko’s 96th minute leveller which was straight out of the Fergie time play book.
It broke West Ham hearts and could not actually provide the fifth straight win which United have waited so long for. No-one went home happy. However, West Ham are showing signs of life and fight even if they could not see this one out for the precious three points they needed.
They did, however, stop United winning five games in a row for the first time in two years on a rollercoaster night of emotions. The long-suffering travelling United fans have seen such an improvement under Carrick and he has put in one hell of an audition to get the job on a permanent basis.
But this was also about West Ham scrapping and fighting as Nuno Espirito Santo has really begun to give the fans hope. They had to weather long spells of United pressure but West Ham refused to buckle on a grey, misty night at the London Stadium.
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United went close after 22 minutes when Bruno Fernandes ’ 22nd minute corner found Luke Shaw in the box and the United defender’s shot was cleared off the line by Aaron Wan-Bissaka.
It felt like this game was going nowhere. It was drab, uneventful and you can bet England boss Thomas Tuchel probably felt like he had wasted a night as he was sat up in the stands.
But, at long last, West Ham are showing signs of fight and their opening goal was testament to teamwork. Jarrod Bowen was so clever as the West Ham captain battled and held off Shaw to create space for Tomas Soucek to ping the ball forward.
Bowen scampered down the right wing, sent over a low cross and there was Soucek in the six yard box to turn the ball home from close range in the 50th minute.
That brought the stadium to life and even the mood in the place has changed because the home fans can sense fresh optimism and genuine hope for survival.
There was another big reason for West Ham fans to celebrate after Casemiro headed in what looked to be an equaliser but it was ruled out by VAR as the United midfielder was clearly offside.
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United threw on a raft of substitutes – including Sesko – as they fought desperately for a leveller and Joshua Zirkzee came as close as anyone as he glanced just wide. That had Carrick on his toes on the touchline.
Seven minutes of added time were ticking down when United launched yet another attack – and this time it finally worked. Then just when it looked as if West Ham would get the points, Bryan Mbeumo’s ball was turned in with a looping shot from Sesko.
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