Manchester United squandered a golden opportunity to climb to fifth place in the Premier League table after being frustratingly held to a 1-1 draw by struggling West Ham United at Old Trafford on Thursday night.
The result is a bitter blow for the hosts, who were pegged back late in the game, while it keeps the visiting Hammers firmly entrenched in the relegation zone.
After a largely scrappy and goalless opening half, the fixture finally sparked to life. The Red Devils took the lead in the 58th minute when Diogo Dalot pounced to score, but West Ham’s Soungoutou Magassa dramatically silenced the home crowd, netting the equalizer just seven minutes from time. Boos greeted the final whistle, reflecting the fans’ disappointment.
Dalot, reflecting on the late collapse, did not mince words. “We are disappointed. At 1-0 with 30 minutes to go, we have to control the game more, especially at Old Trafford,” he told Sky Sports.
”We cannot get as anxious as we got after the goal. Maybe we got sloppy with the ball possession. We had the game there. We think it is down to us rather than credit to West Ham.”
Despite the Hammers having the better of a pedestrian opening half-hour, they never truly tested the Man United keeper before the home side began to assert control.
United’s best first-half chances came in quick succession. A short corner saw Bryan Mbeumo’s looping shot from outside the box tipped over the bar by West Ham stopper Alphonse Areola. Seconds later, Amad Diallo’s cross was flicked goalwards by Joshua Zirkzee and cleared off the line by former United player, Aaron Wan-Bissaka. Bruno Fernandes then saw his effort skim the outside of the post. Wan-Bissaka was a rock at the heart of the West Ham defence, putting in crucial challenges to keep the score level at the break.
The second half started brightly for West Ham, with Magassa shooting into the side netting, but it was United who found the breakthrough. Casemiro’s attempted shot took a deflection, and the ball fortuitously fell to Dalot almost on the penalty spot, who deftly turned and fired past Areola.
United currently sit eighth in the standings on 22 points. West Ham remain in a precarious position, 18th with 12 points, two adrift of Leeds United in 17th spot.
