BY OUR FOOTBALL CORRESPONDENT AT THE LONDON STADIUM
MICHAEL CARRICK was just seconds away from tasting his first defeat as Manchester United boss before his Slovenian secret weapon, Benjamin Šeško, salvaged a dramatic point in the sixth minute of stoppage time.
In a cagey affair that felt more like a game of chess than a Premier League scrap, it was West Ham’s midfield titan Tomáš Souček who looked to have stolen the headlines.
The Czech veteran etched his name into the history books in the 50th minute, ghosting into the box to flick home a Jarrod Bowen cross. It was his 39th Premier League goal—surpassing Patrik Berger to become the highest-scoring Czech in the competition’s history.
For much of the second half, it looked like Nuno’s Hammers would finally hold their nerve. They defended like lions, with Aaron Wan-Bissaka returning to haunt his former club by clearing a goal-bound Luke Shaw effort off the line.
United’s frustration grew as Casemiro—celebrating his 150th appearance for the club—had a thumping header ruled out by VAR for a marginal offside.
But this new-look United under Carrick refuses to know when they are beaten.
With the clock ticking past 95 minutes, the London Stadium was ready to erupt. Enter Benjamin Šeško. The substitute, who has been in white-hot form with five goals in his last six games, showed exactly why he’s becoming the most feared super-sub in the league.
Winger Bryan Mbeumo whipped in a desperate, final ball from the right, and Šeško did the rest.
He shrugged off Axel Disasi with ease, meeting the cross with a stunning first-time finish that left Mads Hermansen rooted to the spot.
The goal was a “Hammer blow” in every sense. Statistics show West Ham have now dropped a staggering 20 points from winning positions this season—more than any other side in the top flight.
While the point helps their fight against the drop, the manner of the draw felt like a defeat for the East End faithful.
For Carrick, the unbeaten streak survives, stretching to nine games.
“We lacked sharpness today,” the United boss admitted afterwards, “but you can’t buy the mentality this group is showing. Benjamin is the man for the big moment.”
United remain in the hunt for the top four, while West Ham are left wondering how another three points slipped through their fingers in the cold February rain.
