Sesko’s 96th-minute equaliser earns Manchester United a point as West Ham miss chance to close on Forest

Late twist leaves West Ham frustrated and Manchester United relieved

West Ham United were seconds away from a crucial Premier League victory at the London Stadium, only for Manchester United substitute Benjamin Sesko to strike in the 96th minute and rescue a 1-1 draw. The late equaliser denied the Hammers the kind of result that can shape a relegation battle, while also ending the visitors’ hopes of extending their winning momentum under Michael Carrick.

Tomas Soucek’s goal five minutes into the second half had put West Ham in front and, for long spells, the hosts looked capable of protecting their advantage. Yet Sesko, introduced from the bench, delivered again in stoppage time, continuing a notable trend: it was his second injury-time goal in three substitute appearances.

The draw leaves West Ham still short of the opportunity to move level on points with 17th-place Nottingham Forest. Forest now have the chance to pull clear when they host Wolves on Wednesday. Manchester United, meanwhile, remain fourth.

A game of contrasting halves

The match developed in a way that reflected two very different challenges for Carrick’s side. Manchester United had plenty of the ball, but they struggled to turn possession into clear openings against a West Ham team described as rejuvenated on the night. The home side were content to allow United control in certain areas, while working hard to contain them and limit the spaces where the visitors usually hurt opponents.

That approach helped West Ham shape the first half into a relatively controlled contest. There were moments when Manchester United threatened, but West Ham found ways to survive and, at times, even frustrate a team that arrived in a strong run of form.

Wan-Bissaka’s key first-half intervention

One of the defining incidents before the break came from Aaron Wan-Bissaka, facing his former club. Manchester United nearly took the lead after a well-worked corner routine created an opening for Luke Shaw. Shaw’s effort looked destined for the net, but Wan-Bissaka reacted sharply to clear the ball off the line.

It was a moment that captured West Ham’s defensive commitment in the first half. While Manchester United had the majority of possession, the hosts showed they were prepared to defend their box with intensity and awareness, and that they could match United’s quality in key moments.

Bowen and Soucek combine as West Ham strike after the break

If the first half was about containment and survival, the second half began with West Ham showing greater intent. Five minutes after the restart, Jarrod Bowen produced a forceful piece of play down the flank, bullying Shaw before supplying the decisive pass for Soucek.

Soucek finished from close range with a tap-in, sending the home crowd into celebration and putting West Ham in front in a match of major importance to their Premier League survival hopes. The goal was scored in front of England head coach Thomas Tuchel, who was in attendance at the London Stadium.

For West Ham, the timing of the opener felt significant. They had absorbed pressure, kept the contest tight, and then struck early in the second half to put themselves in a position to claim three points.

VAR rules out Casemiro’s equaliser by the narrowest of margins

Manchester United searched for a response and thought they had found it in the 62nd minute. Casemiro rose to head home, only for the goal to be ruled out for offside following a VAR check. The decision was described as the narrowest of calls, adding another layer of tension to a match already shaped by fine margins.

For United, it was a moment that underlined how difficult the night had been. The visitors were not at their fluent best and, even when they did manage to find a route to goal, the details went against them.

West Ham’s missed late chances prove costly

As the match moved into its final stages, West Ham continued to defend their lead with organisation and effort. However, the hosts also had opportunities to put the game beyond Manchester United. According to West Ham head coach Nuno Espirito Santo, there were “two or three situations” late on with space in behind that could have been used more effectively.

Those moments loomed larger once the match entered stoppage time. In games at the bottom end of the table, the difference between one goal and two can be decisive, and West Ham were left to reflect on chances that might have secured the win they needed.

Sesko delivers again from the bench

Manchester United’s persistence was finally rewarded deep into injury time. Sesko, introduced as a substitute, found the equaliser in the 96th minute to make it 1-1. It was a dramatic conclusion and a painful one for West Ham, who had been within touching distance of a vital victory.

The goal also reinforced Sesko’s growing reputation for late contributions off the bench. With this strike, he now has two injury-time goals in three substitute appearances, a return that highlights both his impact and United’s ability to change games late.

What the result means in the table

From West Ham’s perspective, the draw felt like a missed opportunity. A win would have moved them level on points with Nottingham Forest in 17th, but the late equaliser ensured they remain behind. The dropped points also give Forest a clear incentive and a potential advantage, with the chance to pull away when they host Wolves on Wednesday.

For Manchester United, the point keeps them in fourth. While the performance did not match their best levels, the late goal ensured they took something from a difficult away fixture against an opponent fighting for survival.

Nuno: “Disappointed… we should have put the game to bed”

After the match, West Ham boss Nuno Espirito Santo did not hide his frustration at conceding so late, describing the mood around the club as one of disappointment.

“[I’m] disappointed, of course, all of us [are],” Nuno said. “The players, the fans, and ourselves are disappointed to take this final goal in the final moments of the game.”

Despite the late setback, Nuno highlighted the broader positives in West Ham’s performance, particularly the structure and discipline they showed against a team in strong form.

“We competed really well. We’ve been able to contain a very good team that was in a good dynamic. You can see the quality, the effort of the players, the organisation,” he said.

Nuno also pointed to the strong start to the second half, when West Ham scored and then defended their advantage effectively for long stretches.

“The way we started the second half was really positive. We went, we scored. We defended really well. It was a good chance. But overall, a very positive performance on the defensive aspect of the game,” he added.

However, his key regret was the failure to take late openings that might have sealed the result.

“Also, in the final moments, we had two or three situations with a good space in behind that. We should have put the game to bed,” Nuno said.

Carrick: “Mixed feelings” but late response shows character

Manchester United head coach Michael Carrick described his emotions as “mixed feelings,” acknowledging that West Ham made it hard for his team to play at their usual level.

“Mixed feelings,” Carrick said. “We know we weren’t quite at our best, and credit West Ham for that, closing certain spaces up, but we can be better.”

He also took encouragement from his players’ reaction to a below-par display, suggesting their frustration was a sign of high standards within the group.

“The boys were a bit frustrated and disappointed, with that, which is a really good sign for me,” he said.

Carrick framed the late equaliser as an important moment, not only for the immediate point it earned but for what it said about his side’s resilience.

“And then finishing with a late goal when we’ve had to find one is a good moment, and another positive for us to know that we can do that,” he said.

At the same time, Carrick made clear he would rather not rely on late drama too often, even if it can be useful in tight matches.

“And we don’t want to have to pull on it and use it too often but in the grand scheme, there’s a point, something we can take,” he said.

He also reflected on the broader run of results, noting that over a five-game period, taking just one draw could still be seen as a strong return.

“We kind of dust ourselves down a little bit, assess it, take these games off, a five-game period, and to just have one draw in there is a big positive,” Carrick added.

Key moments

• Wan-Bissaka cleared Luke Shaw’s first-half effort off the line after a corner routine.
• Bowen set up Soucek for a tap-in five minutes into the second half.
• Casemiro’s headed goal in the 62nd minute was ruled out for offside after a VAR check.
• Sesko equalised in the 96th minute, scoring again as a substitute in stoppage time.

Looking ahead

West Ham’s focus now turns to the continuing fight for Premier League survival, with the frustration of conceding late compounded by the immediate implication elsewhere in the table: Nottingham Forest have a chance to increase the gap when they face Wolves on Wednesday.

Manchester United, still fourth, will take confidence from their ability to salvage points even when not at their best. Yet the match also served as a reminder of the different kinds of tests they face, particularly against opponents prepared to concede possession, defend with discipline, and look to strike at key moments.

For West Ham, the performance contained enough positives—organisation, effort, and a strong start to the second half—to suggest they can compete in the run-in. But as this night showed, the margins are unforgiving, and the cost of not taking late chances can be immediate.