Manchester United were on the brink of a damaging defeat away to West Ham on Tuesday night before Benjamin Šeško delivered a dramatic late intervention, scoring deep into stoppage time to secure a 1–1 draw and salvage a crucial point for the visitors in east London.
For much of the contest, the match lacked energy and attacking spark. The first half, in particular, offered little entertainment for spectators, as both teams appeared cautious and uninspired in the final third.
Clear-cut chances were rare, with the two sides managing a combined total of only five attempts at goal.
The underlying statistics painted an equally uninspiring picture, as the expected goals tally barely reached 0.28 across the opening 45 minutes.
Neither goalkeeper was meaningfully tested, and the game drifted toward halftime without momentum or rhythm.
The tempo shifted shortly after the break. In the 50th minute, West Ham found the breakthrough through Tomas Soucek, who capitalized on a well-worked move to put the hosts ahead.
The goal jolted Manchester United into action. From that moment forward, the visitors asserted far greater control over proceedings, dominating possession and dictating the flow of play.
Their share of the ball rose significantly, eventually reaching 71 percent as they pushed for an equalizer.
Despite their territorial dominance, United struggled to translate control into genuine attacking threat. West Ham’s defensive structure remained compact and disciplined, with their backline showing physical strength and composure under pressure.
Crosses were cleared, passing lanes were blocked, and shots were either deflected or taken from unthreatening positions.
The Red Devils circulated the ball patiently but often lacked the incisive final touch required to break through.
As the clock ticked into added time, it seemed as though United’s efforts would ultimately fall short. However, in the 96th minute, a decisive moment arrived.
Bryan Mbeumo delivered a precise pass into the penalty area, finding Šeško in a dangerous central position.
The striker reacted quickly and finished clinically, sending the ball past the goalkeeper and rescuing a point at the death. The late goal stunned the home crowd and provided United with a dramatic lifeline.
The result ensures Manchester United remain in fourth place in the Premier League standings, now sitting on 45 points.
With Chelsea also failing to secure victory in their draw against Leeds on the same night, the damage to United’s position in the top four race was minimal.
Although their run of four consecutive wins has come to an end, earning a point in a challenging away fixture could still prove valuable in the broader context of the season.
For West Ham, the outcome offers limited relief. While they showed resilience and came close to securing all three points, they remain entrenched in the relegation zone in 18th place with 24 points.
The draw narrows the gap slightly between themselves and Nottingham Forest in 17th, and they are now five points adrift of Tottenham in 16th. Nevertheless, their fight for survival continues, with every match growing increasingly significant as the season progresses.
