Sesko saves United in injury time in London

Considering the strength of the teams they recently defeated (Manchester City, Arsenal, Fulham, Tottenham), United had an ‘easy‘ task as the Red Devils went to London to play the relegation strugglers West Ham. Everything was setup for a fifth win in a row for the interim manager Michael Carrick and the social media were buzzing about the curly fan Frank Ilett who needed just one more win to finally take a hair cut after 500 days. And surely, the Manchester fans and players were happy when the referee announced the end of the game, but only because they narrowly escaped a defeat: West Ham – Manchester United 1-1.

Unlike in other games, the Red Devils found a proper defensively orientated opponent who was also in a mini-series of good results (only one defeat in four games) and the Hammers were actually better in this match and deserved all three points. They had just three chances and used one, while they allowed the visiting team only two shots on target. Unfortunately for them, the third one was fatal and was scored by Benjamin Sesko who came from the bench and once again saved his team, this time from defeat. United were in danger to finish the game without scoring a single goal (for the first time after 14 games), but after the referee announced a surprisingly long injury time (seven minutes), Sesko used his only opportunity and lift United to the fourth place.

The first chance of the match belonged to the hosts as in-form Summerville cut in off the left flank and and took a shot, forcing Lammens into a save. United replied after 22 minutes of the game with their first chance. Fernandes assisted to Shaw from the corner and United‘s defender was unmarked in the goal area, but former Manchester right-back Wan Bissaka cleared the ball off the line. From that moment on, nothing happened until the end of the half.

Is it finally haircut time?

And then, just as the second half started, another West Ham star, captain Jarrod Bowen made one of his great bursts from the right and passed the ball to Thomas Soucek who tapped it in for the sudden West Ham lead. In the 62nd minute away fans were on their feet at Casemiro equalized after a fantastic Mainoo pass but even the Brazilian was suspicious that his goal was offside and VAR agreed with him. United appealed for a penalty in the 72nd minute when Amad got on the outside into the box past Diouf but the referee didn‘t react, nor did VAR. West Ham had two great opportunities to finish the game with a second goal. Both chances came in injury time through counter-attacks but in both cases Yoro saved his team with good tackles. Joshua Zirkzee had a chance to equalize in the 94th minute but his header went just centimeters from the bar. However, the punishment for West Ham‘s misses came in the 96th minute, when Mbeumo‘s cross was met by Sesko for the final 1-1.

PREMIER LEAGUE - MATCHDAY 26

Tuesday

Chelsea - Leeds 2-2 (1-0)

/Pedro 24, Palmer 58 (p) - Nmecha 67(p), Okafor 73/

Everton - Bournemouth 1-2 (1-0)

/Ndiaye 42(p) - Rayan 61, Adli 64/

Tottenham - Newcastle 1-2 (0-1)

/Gray 64 - Thiaw 45+5, Ramsey 68/

West Ham - Manchester United 1-1 (0-0)

/Soucek 50 - Sesko 90+6/

Wednesday

22.30: (1.95) Aston Villa (3.50) Brighton (3.90)

22.30: (1.60) Crystal Palace (4.00) Burnley (6.50)

22.30: (1.37) Manchester City (5.15) Fulham (8.00)

22.30: (1.75) Nottingham Forest (3.70) Wolverhampton (5.40)

23.15: (5.40) Sunderland (3.70) Liverpool (1.75)

Thursday

21.00: (4.90) Brentford (3.60) Arsenal (1.75)

***odds are subject to change***