Hammers lose and get worst of two worlds

Sheffield United 1 Irons 0

By Hugh Southon

That was horrible – perhaps the hardest defeat to take this season after a shocking giveaway goal and yet another VAR handball decision against us.

The hosts won the game via a goal which was handed to them by a poor ball forward from Martin which Balbuena failed to read and McBurnie hammered a simple shot into our net.

Late goal ruled out by VAR

Then at the end a brilliant run forward by Declan Rice and pass to Snoddy saw the sub score of a post only for VAR to rule it out for handball in the build up.

Sickening! The worst of two worlds.

On top of all that was the loss of Lukasz Fabianski who broke down when clearing and may or may not be out for another spell.

Beyond all the ill luck however, was the fact that the Hammers need more work on their energy levels as the Blades dominated the later stages of the game.

There’s still a fitness issue hangover from the Pellegrini spell in charge and David Moyes will have his hands full getting them up to the required level for a tough set of matches ahead.

We had our chances – none more so than when Lanzini – after a Blades defender stumbled – chose to fire at the keeper from close range rather than find Haller with a quick ball while he wasin space.

Masuaku enjoyed some great forward running before being subbed and Anderson was at the heart of everything but the reality is we have some worrying times ahead.