Manchester United rescued a point with a dramatic 96th-minute equaliser from Benjamin Sesko to draw 1-1 against West Ham United at the London Stadium on February 10, 2026. In a clash defined by tactical attrition and a breathless finale, Manchester United relied on a 96th-minute rescue act from Benjamin Sesko to snatch a 1-1 draw against a resilient, if heartbroken, West Ham United on Tuesday night. For 45 minutes, the London Stadium witnessed a stalemate of styles. Michael Carrick, continuing his interim stewardship of Manchester United, opted for a possession-heavy approach that frequently knocked at the door but lacked the clinical edge to break it down. West Ham, entrenched in a grueling battle for Premier League survival, remained disciplined, absorbing pressure and waiting for the singular lapse that would ignite the home crowd. That lapse arrived in the 50th minute. Jarrod Bowen, ever the catalyst for the Hammers, exploited space on the right flank before fizzing a low, inviting cross into the corridor of uncertainty. Tomas Soucek, timing his late arrival into the box with trademark precision, turned the ball past Andre Onana to send the home support into raptures. For the following half-hour, the narrative seemed set: a "relegation-threatened" side producing a defensive masterclass to topple a giant. United’s frustrations were compounded in the 63rd minute when Casemiro appeared to have leveled the scoring with a towering header, only for a lengthy VAR review to chalk the goal off for a marginal offside. As the clock ticked into six minutes of added time, Julen Lopetegui’s side sat deep, looking to protect a result that would have seen them climb out of the bottom three. However, the Red Devils’ persistence finally bore fruit in the dying embers of the match. Bryan Mbeumo, a constant threat on the wing, delivered a desperate, curling ball into the heart of the area. It found Benjamin Sesko, who showcased the predatory instincts that have made him a focal point of United's attack this season. With a sharp, instinctive volley, the Slovenian international silenced the Stratford faithful and ensured United left London with their unbeaten streak under Carrick intact.
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The Tactical Takeaway While Manchester United dominated 62% of the ball, the lack of penetration until the final seconds will concern the coaching staff. The reliance on a "90-plus" miracle highlights a recurring issue with breaking down low-block defenses. Conversely, for West Ham, this will feel like two points dropped rather than one gained. Their defensive structure was nearly impeccable, yet they remain in 18th place, haunted by the "what ifs" of a game that was seconds away from a seasonal turning point. Post-Match Reflections "We showed character, but we cannot rely on the final minute every week," Michael Carrick noted in his post-match briefing. "West Ham made it incredibly difficult, but the resilience to go until the whistle is what defines this group right now." For West Ham, the result is a bitter pill. They remain two points adrift of safety, while Manchester United maintain their precarious grip on 4th place. On a night of fine margins, it was Sesko’s boot that had the final, decisive word.
West Ham United FC
