Mind games from Nuno over clips he had multiple squad injuries meant that the Hammers sent out a side with ‘just’ the one change form last weekend’s Burnley trip, with Callum Wilson benched in favour of Freddie Potts as the Hammers reverted to more of a 4-3-2-1 set up with Taty the most advanced.
Whilst this packed the midfield to cope with Manchester United’s threat it meant the Hammers’ sole striker did at times look isolated – not the role he’s best suited to.
If anything, the Hammers were pressing higher and harrying ManU’s back line, whereas West Ham’s defenders had less to contend with when building from the back as the Red Devils had a ‘patient’ first 35 minutes with a slow build up – West Ham with 39% of possession in the first 40.
West Ham looking compact and combative in the first 45- arguably the better chances with Nuno’s selection holding firm – Wan Bissaka had one clearance off the line with his right knee- apart from that West Ham’s set up looking ok.
No personnel changes by either manager at half time but Soucek noticeably further forward-immediately paying off with a brilliant late run to open the scoring – so another good call from Nuno.
Two changes for Man U with Cunha and Maguire withdrawn, Nuno responds with Taty coming off for Wilson at 69 minutes: Good to see West Ham maintained the goal threat. Seemingly Nuno remembered the hard won lessons of going too defensive.
Scarles next to come on for Diouf along with Magassa for Freddie Potts: Nuno’s final roll of the tactical dice, both looked shattered as they left. Man U switched to three at the back and two up front. Last minute changes from Nuno for Bowen and Summerville – fresh legs from Traore and Walker Peters greeted with seven extra minutes: Adama could have had two in stoppage time!
Being critical, West Ham pressed for a second and stretched the game, getting caught out instead of, perhaps, better game management.
Ninety six minutes. Nobody’s fault, Manchester United equalised. Sickener indeed. Still, a fine point. Feels like a loss though. 7/10 for Nuno tonight. 11/10 for the team’s effort.
2 points adrift. Might’ve been 3. All 3 BBC pundits predicted a WH defeat. Remember we were playing Man U who don’t have a defeat in their last 5 games. Forest play Wolves!!! So it’sa point earned not 2 lost.
Where did those 7 mins of added time come from? Great game we played well but for me it was a mistake to take off bowen and summerville they were both defending loads and traore wasn’t getting back enough. Also took taty off too soon, he is quicker than Wilson and if he had been on longer we’d have got the 2nd goal. Key players could have been rested in our next game so made sense to keep them on longer
We’ve looked an entirely different team from the Forest game on. We should have won that Forest match too. But we’ve gone from averaging just over a dismal half a point per game from the first 21 matches to a remarkable 2 pts per game in the last 5. With still 12 to play it really is anyone’s guess who’s going down in that final relegation spot. If we can maintain anything from 1.5 to 2 pts per game that could end us on anything from 43 to 49 points.
Would have settled for a point at the start
But am so frustrated that we played so well and better finishing, should have been all over by the 96 minute and to concede so late in a game which again we deserved to to win is another kick in the guts for us fans
Sorry Ollie I love you but did not put enough in to have stopped the cross coming in and Diasi should not have let the shot to have come in
So disappointed again another 3 points thrown away
We have got to be able to play out until the final whistle
This and the Chelsea game could prove costly
Great play but did not get what we deservef
As always with West Ham, we should have won – but didn’t. Superb performances from most of the team, but why on earth did we sign Traore ? This was an overall performance of which the team & supporters can be proud; but we threw 2 points away ! Well, I don’t think that anyone can be blamed for the equalizer – it was a very fortunate, but well taken , goal. Maybe we could have tried harder to keep the ball upfield, & we had the chance of scoring a second, but didn’t take it. However, two points gone & facing the possibility of being 5 points behind Forest. This is NOT how you escape relegation ! Still, the team performance should give us all “heart” for the coming games. But, we CANNOT, & MUST NOT let any more points slip away. Despite what I regard as a very good & promising performance, I think that we have left it too late to avoid relegation. But, maybe not, if we can keep playing with this level of quality. But if we are back to 5 points adrift after tomorrow …….
There will be some tired legs tonight.
Fans wanted some excitement and whu look to be battling all the way.
It wasn’t apparent that any injuries were sustained which is good news.
All that effort. Deserved three points. Would have put us 3 points behind Tottenham with their next game against Arsenal. Then a lucky boot stuck out by sesko and were robbed again at the finish. Gutted. Don’t know where the referee found 7 minutes from extra time at the end. Think the referee was a Man United supporter.
Great performance tonight! Nothing we could’ve done about their equaliser, 9 out of 10 defensive performances that would’ve been a win, so I’m not downhearted. If we play like that attacking and defensively we’ll be safe.
Baffled at the late subs. Why take off Summerville and Bowen?
Man U attacked where Traore was stationed, he was overlapped with a quick pass and move as soon as he came on and it continued from there
Gutted.
Played a team in form, and we’re unlucky not to win. That says everything about how we are playing. May feel bad for the players tonight but in the morning it will look like a good point. Not a bad player on the pitch tonight!
Unlucky to concede equaliser. Can’t really blame anyone for that. Great performance against one of the form teams in the Premier League.
Bodes well for the rest of our season. FA Cup run anybody?
7 minutes and a ref with a preference to his foul options, just don’t get these decisions
Two points lost but confidence and momentum maintained
I said 1-1 but so close to better. That was a good performance, not a bottom of the table performance. Keep on like that and we’ll be OK.
Tottenham lose again and are in free fall…