Sesko's Late Equalizer Denies West Ham Victory, Salvages Crucial Point for Manchester United

By Christian Amegbor
Feb Wed, 2026
in Sports

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Stop all barbers, don't cut the barnet: United's winning streak is over. Frank Ilett, the man who vowed not to visit the barber again until Manchester United had won five games in a row, may have been banned from getting a haircut, but United's resilience was on display here to deny the Hammers what would have been a fine victory in extra time.

A shot from Tomas Soucek, a fan favourite, was saved by Benjamin Sesko, who made the game a point of pride.

A United side lacking in energy and drive, West Ham saw two vital points dropped in the end; both sides will go away disappointed but not disappointed. The Hammers are 18th, United are fourth, with no goals scored yet.

The fans, the players and ourselves were disappointed to concede that late goal, said Nuno Espírito Santo.

But we managed to overcome a team in good time. The way we started the second half was a joy. In the last minute we had two or three chances with space behind us where we should have scored a second. Overall, it was a very good game.

For Michael Carrick, there was a sense that things could have been better. "We didn't play our best and you have to give West Ham credit, but the boys were a bit frustrated in the dressing room and that's a good sign," he said.

We know how difficult it is to build momentum in this competition, sometimes it comes easily and there's a spark, sometimes it can be intense. You have to find the answers and find a way.

Carrick reflected on the adjustments he made after Soucek turned in Jarrod Bowen's shot to give West Ham the lead. If Sesko had come on early in the 69th minute, would United have won the game? Carrick was uncertain, and it was not until the clock ticked past 90 minutes and Carrick replaced defender Diogo Dalot with forward Joshua Zirkzee that United were able to put the hosts under pressure in their own half.

Five minutes into added time, Bryan Mbeumo's cross found Sesko, and the forward's shot went well wide of the keeper. The corner was wide of Mads Hermansen's post.

There was plenty of positive to take from West Ham, despite the final result. Given the team at the top of the table, they showed no signs of composure and relished the opportunity to test United in the flesh. Bowen was his usual self, a hard-nosed ball who always did his best to help his team win.

Aaron Wan-Bissaka and Crysencio Summerville were both unpredictable on the pitch, running up and down the pitch and causing endless problems. Summerville could have won six games with a fine first-half effort, Wan-Bissaka somehow managing to get Luke Shaw off the line with a foot injury 22 minutes in.

We have been able to bounce back from the frustrating times in the past and the boys have been able to respond strongly, Nuno said, hoping. No way. Our position is high.

For United, there is no diminishing the enthusiasm that Carrick has brought to the team and the fans. Moreover, the caretaker manager, by taking the risk of scoring late in the game, will further cement himself as a fit for United's culture.

However, questions will be asked about how sustainable their recent form will be. Matheus Cunha has not impressed here and has been replaced by Sesko. Mbeumo has often been found on the sidelines.

Questions about how to integrate the team's attacking talent into areas where the ball is vital will be answered in due course.

I think it will change a little bit with different games and the nature of the games and how you want to attack, Carrick said.

That’s where the areas are, the way the game is. We probably don’t have the full picture, if we’re honest, at the beginning of the game. And that happens, especially against a team that’s trying to stop you scoring.

So we have to figure that out, but we’ve kept doing things because we have that flexibility, and I think it definitely helps to find different solutions.