Key Points
- West Ham United drew 1-1 with Manchester United at the London Stadium on 10 February 2026, with Tomas Soucek scoring for the Hammers in the 50th minute and Benjamin Sesko equalising in the 96th minute.
- The West Ham squad showed visceral emotional reactions to conceding the stoppage-time goal: head coach Nuno Espirito Santo nearly collapsed onto the pitch, goalkeeper Mads Hermansen struck the ground repeatedly, midfielder Mateus Fernandes gazed hopelessly at the turf, defender Konstantinos Mavropanos buried his face in his hands, and Kyle Walker-Peters tried to motivate teammates.
- Despite the late draw feeling like a loss, West Ham demonstrated strong defensive organisation, limiting Manchester United to two shots on target and containing key attackers like Bruno Fernandes, Bryan Mbeumo, and Amad Diallo.
- West Ham remain in the relegation zone, two points behind 17th-placed Nottingham Forest, but have lost 20 points from winning positions this season, the highest in the Premier League.
- The team is on a run of four wins in five Premier League matches prior to this game, building momentum under Nuno Espirito Santo, with recent improvements including the addition of first-team coach Paco Jemez.
- Midfielder Freddie Potts told The Athletic: “For 95 minutes against Manchester United, it was clear we were in excellent form as a team… We’re frustrated, but we have several matches ahead that we believe we can win.”
- Fans chanted “West Ham are massive everywhere we go” in the 84th minute, signalling growing unity between supporters and players.
- Nuno Espirito Santo has instilled a team-first mentality, with players like Crysencio Summerville, Mateus Fernandes, and reintegrated James Ward-Prowse stepping up amid injuries.
- West Ham sit 18th or bottom three earlier in the season, with recent form turning from 10 winless games to nine points from 12 possible.
- Upcoming fixtures include FA Cup against Burton Albion, Bournemouth (away), Fulham (away), Manchester City (home), and Aston Villa (away).
- Historical context: West Ham were six points adrift at Christmas, with defensive lapses and board criticism, but now show resilience.
London Stadium (East London Times) February 11, 2026 – West Ham United’s squad laid bare the raw agony of dropping points in stoppage time during their 1-1 draw against Manchester United, yet this heartbreak has forged a newfound unity propelling their Premier League survival bid under head coach Nuno Espirito Santo.
The Hammers led through Tomas Soucek’s 50th-minute strike after a cagey first half, dominating defensively to frustrate Manchester United’s attack led by Bruno Fernandes. Substitute Benjamin Sesko’s 96th-minute equaliser, assisted by Bryan Mbeumo, snatched a point for the visitors, extending Michael Carrick’s unbeaten run but leaving West Ham two points from safety. Despite the pain, the performance underscored a team’s growing belief they can avoid relegation.
What Happened in the West Ham vs Manchester United Match?
As detailed in match reports, West Ham United hosted Manchester United at the London Stadium on 10 February 2026, ending in a 1-1 draw. Tomas Soucek put the Hammers ahead in the 50th minute, capitalising on a counter-attack as reported across ESPN and Premier League official summaries.
Manchester United thought they had equalised when Casemiro headed in during the 63rd minute, but VAR ruled it out for offside. The visitors dominated second-half possession at 71 per cent but managed only two shots on target until Sesko’s late intervention from Mbeumo’s cross. As per NBC Sports analysis, West Ham’s defence was “formidable,” neutralising threats from Fernandes, Mbeumo, and Diallo, who combined for just three attempts.
Nuno Espirito Santo’s tactics focused on containment and counters, nearly securing a fourth win in five league games. The match commentary from ESPN noted the second half “surged to life” after Soucek’s goal, but West Ham held firm until the dying moments.
How Did the West Ham Squad React to the Late Goal?
The reactions of the West Ham United squad viscerally encapsulated the emotional toll, as described by Carl Anka of The Athletic. Head coach Nuno Espirito Santo nearly collapsed onto the pitch, while goalkeeper Mads Hermansen repeatedly struck the ground in exasperation.
Midfielder Mateus Fernandes gazed hopelessly at the turf, defender Konstantinos Mavropanos buried his face in his hands in disbelief, and Kyle Walker-Peters bravely tried to rally his teammates. Tomas Soucek, the scorer, stood with hands on hips; Callum looked skyward; and Mavropanos lifted the despondent Hermansen, who missed a third clean sheet.
As reported by Carl Anka of The Athletic, Nuno crossed his arms on the pitch post-whistle, reflecting the dressing room’s quiet frustration. Academy product Freddie Potts shared with The Athletic:
“For 95 minutes against Manchester United, it was clear we were in excellent form as a team. The results have shown that, and we effectively neutralized them… but we’re all just devastated that we didn’t secure the win. The changing room is really quiet. We’re frustrated, but we have several matches ahead that we believe we can win.”
Why Do West Ham Now Feel Unified?
West Ham have a new sense of unity, truly believing they can survive, per The Athletic’s coverage. Fans who stayed applauded the players, chanting “West Ham are massive everywhere we go” in the 84th minute—a rare positive shift this season.
Glenn Murray, former striker, commented on BBC One’s Final Score: “Back-to-back victories can make a significant difference… Now they’re close enough to believe in their chances, and there’s a renewed energy around the club.” Under Nuno, tactical adjustments, rotation, and man-management have rebuilt confidence despite injuries, with Crysencio Summerville, Mateus Fernandes, and James Ward-Prowse excelling.
The hiring of first-team coach Paco Jemez in mid-January, who played with Nuno at Atletico La Coruna in the 1990s, has bolstered the staff. Freddie Potts added:
“Two months ago, not many people probably had faith in us… But we’ve altered our mentality, we fight for one another… the team must come first, and we’re beginning to showcase our abilities.”
Earlier, as Richard Writing of Westhamway.net reported on 24 December 2025: “The club needs unity—between fans, players, and leadership—to… secure our Premier League future,” amid board criticism and defensive woes.
What Is West Ham’s Position in the Relegation Battle?
West Ham remain in the relegation zone, trailing Nottingham Forest by two points, per post-match standings. A Forest win over Wolves could extend this to five. They have dropped 20 points from winning positions, the league’s highest.
From an “impossible task” on 6 January after a 2-1 loss to Forest—seven points from safety and 10 winless—West Ham won back-to-back games, including 3-1 over Sunderland, closing to two points off 17th. BBC Sport noted on 24 January: “From ‘impossible task’ to ‘hope’ – will West Ham stay up?”
Recent form: nine points from 12 after a thrilling last-minute goal by Callum Wilson against Tottenham on 17 January. Relegation odds hit 88.76 per cent after Forest loss, per Sportbible on 8 January. Nuno targets six winnable games for survival, as per Hammers News.
Who Is to Blame for West Ham’s Earlier Struggles?
Earlier woes included defensive lapses at set pieces, poor discipline, and failure to convert chances, as analysed by Richard Writing of Westhamway.net. The club cycled through managers—Julen Lopetegui, Graham Potter, now Nuno— with recruitment failures post-Declan Rice.
Board figures David Sullivan and Karen Brady faced fan ire for transfer mishaps and stadium move eroding identity. Commenter Mike on Westhamway.net: “Our player recruitment… from A to Z… we have consistently… ballsed it up.” Yet, survival odds for 18th at Christmas are two-thirds historically.
What Are West Ham’s Upcoming Challenges?
Fixtures: FA Cup fourth-round vs Burton Albion (League One) on Saturday, then Bournemouth (away), Fulham (away), Manchester City (home), Aston Villa (away). Nuno views the relegation fight as no longer insurmountable, with belief against top sides like United.
As BBC Sport reported on 7 February: “Momentum building for survival bid,” with nine points from 12 and rivals like Forest in reach. Potts emphasised: “We understand what’s at stake… I’m thrilled that we’re starting to do that now.”
