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Benjamin Cesc came off the bench to deny West Ham a vital win in their bid to avoid Premier League relegation with a 96th-minute goal to earn a 1-1 draw with Manchester United at the London Stadium.
While West Ham put the visitors on a fifth straight win under Michael Carrick, Tomas Soucek’s penalty was not enough to keep them level with 17th-placed Nottingham Forest after Cesc’s second injury-time goal in three substitute appearances.
On a night that presented a different kind of test for Michael Carrick’s side, United had few answers for a rejuvenated West Ham side who allowed the visitors to enjoy the majority of possession.
Benjamin Sesco celebrates his stoppage-time equalizer at West Ham United
An inspired Aaron Wan-Bissaka denied his former club the opener in the first half when he deflected Luke Shaw’s shot off the line after a superb corner kick.
The first half was nothing like the second half, with Jarrod Bowen bullying Shaw and setting up Soucek’s goal in front of England coach Thomas Tuchel five minutes after the break.
Casemiro scored with a header in the 62nd minute, but the Brazil international’s goal was ruled offside after a VAR check, the narrowest possible penalty.
A goal dropped by West Ham gives Forest the chance to shake off the Hammers when they face Wolves on Wednesday. Manchester United ranked fourth.
Nuno: We should finish the game
Tomas Soucek celebrates the winning goal against Manchester United
west ham united boss Nuno Espiritu Santo Believed his side deserved the three points given their late chance, but praised the Hammers’ overall performance.
“(I’m) disappointed of course, all of us are disappointed,” Nuno said.
“The players, the fans and ourselves are all disappointed that a goal was scored late in the game.
“We competed very well. We were able to accommodate a very good team, with lots of energy. You could see the quality of the players, the effort and the organization.
“The way we started the second half was very positive. We went out, we scored. We defended well. It was a good opportunity. But overall we were very positive on the defensive side of the game.
“Also, in the final moments we faced two or three situations with good space behind us. We should have ended the game.”
Carrick: Another late goal a positive
Manchester United boss Michael Carrick Says it’s a positive sign that his team continues to show their ability to fight back.
“It’s mixed emotions,” he said. “We know we’re not at our best yet, thanks to West Ham, who blocked some spaces, but we can do better.
“The lads were a bit frustrated and disappointed about it, which was a really good sign for me. When we had to find a goal, it was a good moment to end it with a goal and it was another positive for us to know we can do this.”
“We don’t want to use it too often, but in the grand scheme of things, there’s a point where we can take something away from it, dust it off a little bit, evaluate it, cancel these games, five games and only have one draw, and that’s a big positive.”
