Recap

West Ham United 1-1 Manchester United: Sesko’s Stoppage-Time Stunner Salvages Point in Thriller

The Premier League clash between West Ham United and Manchester United on February 10, 2026, ended in a dramatic 1-1 draw, with Benjamin Sesko’s exquisite volley in the sixth minute of stoppage time rescuing a point for the visitors at the London Stadium. West Ham had taken the lead through Tomas Soucek early in the second half, positioning themselves for a crucial win in their battle against relegation, but Manchester United’s resilience under interim manager Michael Carrick ensured they extended their unbeaten run.

First Half: A Cautious Encounter with Flashes of Quality

Manchester United started the game brightly, dictating the tempo in the opening exchanges as they sought to extend their impressive form under Carrick, who had overseen an unbeaten streak since taking interim charge following the sacking of Ruben Amorim. The Reds, sitting fourth in the table with 44 points from 25 games (12 wins, 8 draws, 5 losses), aimed for a fifth straight league victory that would propel them closer to the Champions League spots.

West Ham, languishing in the lower reaches with 23 points from 25 matches (6 wins, 5 draws, 14 losses), were buoyed by a recent upturn, having claimed nine points from their last four games, including a victory over Burnley. Under pressure to avoid the drop, the Hammers pressed aggressively in midfield, denying United’s creative players space and limiting big chances.

Crysencio Summerville posed the primary threat for West Ham, in scintillating goalscoring form, while Jarrod Bowen and Tomas Soucek combined well in attack. United’s midfield duo of Casemiro and Kobbie Mainoo showed promise, with the latter delivering an exquisite cross later ruled out by VAR. Bruno Fernandes orchestrated play from deeper positions, assisting attempts that tested West Ham’s defense.

Key moments included a Luke Shaw shot cleared off the line by former Manchester United full-back Aaron Wan-Bissaka, denying his old club a breakthrough. West Ham goalkeeper Mads Hermansen was alert, saving a Benjamin Sesko effort from outside the box assisted by Fernandes. The half ended goalless with no added time, setting up an intense second period where both sides knew opportunities would arise.

Second Half: Soucek Strikes, Then Sesko’s Heroics

West Ham exploded into life after the restart, capitalizing on a defensive lapse from Luke Shaw. Jarrod Bowen nudged the full-back aside under a high ball, played a one-two with Soucek, and delivered a low cross from the right for the Czech midfielder to tap in his 39th Premier League goal, making him the highest-scoring Czech player in the competition’s history. The goal, Soucek’s close-range finish, came shortly after halftime and silenced the traveling United fans.

United responded with urgency, knowing they had scored in every away game since September and come from behind against teams like Crystal Palace and Arsenal recently. A promising move saw Fernandes thread a superb pass to set Amad free down the right, but El Hadji Malick Diouf’s recovery tackle snuffed out the danger just before West Ham’s opener.

Casemiro thought he had equalized when he powerfully headed home Mainoo’s pinpoint cross, sparking celebrations among the away support. However, VAR intervened, confirming the Brazilian was marginally offside, a decision that swung momentum back to the hosts at the 79th minute. Moments later, Casemiro was again involved, caught offside in another promising United attack.

West Ham defended resolutely, having kept just their second clean sheet since August prior to this match, frustrating United’s dominance in possession. Bryan Mbeumo missed a header from Shaw’s cross, firing wide from the center of the box. As the clock ticked down, it appeared West Ham would secure three vital points to draw level with 17th-placed Nottingham Forest.

But in the sixth minute of added time, drama unfolded. Bryan Mbeumo swung in a precise cross from the right, and super-sub Benjamin Sesko conjured an audacious volley to turn the ball home, igniting wild scenes among United players and fans. The goal, described as a grandstand finish, maintained United’s fourth-place standing and their unbeaten run under Carrick.

Key Players and Performances

Benjamin Sesko (Manchester United) emerged as the match-winner, his stoppage-time volley proving decisive after entering as a substitute. The forward’s composure under pressure rescued a point and highlighted United’s never-say-die attitude.

Tomas Soucek (West Ham United) was the Hammers’ standout, netting the opener and becoming the club’s and Czech Republic’s top Premier League scorer. His movement and finishing were pivotal in giving West Ham the lead.

Jarrod Bowen (West Ham United) starred in the buildup to Soucek’s goal with a clever exchange and low cross, while his physicality troubled Shaw. Bowen’s energy epitomized West Ham’s fightback spirit.

Bruno Fernandes (Manchester United) dictated play with key passes, including assists for shots on target, though he couldn’t find the killer ball until Mbeumo’s late cross.

Kobbie Mainoo and Casemiro (Manchester United) controlled midfield battles, with Mainoo’s cross for the disallowed goal showcasing his vision. Casemiro’s header was a highlight, despite the offside call.

Defensively, Aaron Wan-Bissaka’s clearance off the line for West Ham and Diouf’s tackle stood out, while Mads Hermansen’s save from Sesko kept the score level earlier. For United, the backline held firm late on, with Kyle Walker-Peters and Max Kilman anchoring solidly.

Match Statistics and Context

Manchester United dominated possession and chances, feeling they deserved more from large portions of the game. West Ham’s record read 6-5-14 (23 points), placing them in relegation peril, but their recent form—three wins in four—showed resilience. United’s 12-8-5 record (44 points) kept them in fourth, three points off second-placed Manchester City in a tight top-four race.

• Final Score: West Ham United 1 (Soucek 50′) – 1 Manchester United (Sesko 90+6′)
• Possession: United edged it, per post-match analysis, though exact figures unavailable.
• Shots: United created more, including headers and long-range efforts.
• Key Saves: Hermansen’s stop from Sesko.
• VAR Interventions: Casemiro’s disallowed goal.

The draw ended United’s four-game winning streak but was no disaster, keeping Champions League hopes alive. West Ham rued missed opportunities to climb out of the bottom half, their first dropped points in a strong spell.

Managerial Insights and Broader Implications

Michael Carrick praised his side’s dominance and Sesko’s finish: \”We dominated but West Ham frustrated us. It felt like we deserved something, and Sesko ensured we got it.\” The point maintained United’s away scoring record and fourth place.

For West Ham, the draw was bittersweet after Soucek’s milestone. Their recent form offers hope amid struggles, vital with teams like Nottingham Forest lurking.

In the table context, leaders Arsenal (56 points) and Manchester City (50) pulled away, but United’s form positions them well. This match exemplified Premier League drama—early lead, VAR heartbreak, late equalizer—cementing its status as a thriller.

Fan Reactions and Highlights

Post-match coverage buzzed with excitement. Sky Sports highlights captured the tension, from Soucek’s tap-in to Sesko’s volley. Manchester United’s YouTube post-match show dissected the drama, with fans lauding Sesko. ESPN noted West Ham’s fight, denying United a top-three push.

Across the league, parallels emerged: Leeds’ comeback at Chelsea, Haaland’s late penalty for City. This 1-1 epitomized the 2025/26 season’s unpredictability, where no lead is safe.

Lineups reflected squad depth: West Ham with Walker-Peters, Kilman, Traore; United featuring Mbeumo, Shaw, Fernandes. Substitutions like Sesko proved game-changing.

As the season progresses, both teams eye next fixtures. United aim to rebound strongly; West Ham seek a win to build momentum. This encounter will be remembered for its breathless finale.