Sesko Equaliser Denies West Ham: 1-1 Man Utd 2026

Key Points

• West Ham United drew 1-1 with Manchester United at the London Stadium in a crucial Premier League match.
• Tomas Soucek scored the opener for West Ham with a tap-in early in the game.
• Benjamin Sesko, coming off the bench, netted a dramatic equaliser in the 96th minute for Manchester United.
• The draw denied West Ham a vital win that would have moved them level on points with 17th-placed Nottingham Forest.
• Nottingham Forest host Wolves on Wednesday, keeping the relegation battle tight.
• Manchester United missed out on a fifth straight win under manager Michael Carrick due to Sesko’s goal.
• This marks Sesko’s second injury-time goal in three substitute appearances.
• The result leaves West Ham still fighting for Premier League survival.

London Stadium (East London Times) February 11, 2026 – West Ham United were denied a precious victory in their battle against Premier League relegation as Manchester United substitute Benjamin Sesko struck a dramatic 96th-minute equaliser to salvage a 1-1 draw. Tomas Soucek had given the Hammers the lead with a first-half tap-in, but Sesko’s late intervention prevented West Ham from drawing level on points with 17th-placed Nottingham Forest, who face Wolves on Wednesday. The match, witnessed by a fervent home crowd, highlighted the intense pressure on West Ham in the survival race, while denying Manchester United a fifth consecutive win under manager Michael Carrick.​

What Happened in the Match?

The game kicked off with West Ham pressing for an early advantage, reflecting their desperate need for points. As detailed in the official match report, Soucek opened the scoring with a close-range tap-in after a well-worked move involving Jarrod Bowen and Mohammed Kudus, putting the hosts ahead midway through the first half. Manchester United, managed by Michael Carrick, responded with increased possession but struggled to break down a resilient West Ham defence marshalled by Max Kilman.

The second half saw United ramp up the pressure, with several chances falling to Rasmus Højlund and Bruno Fernandes, yet West Ham goalkeeper Łukasz Fabiański made crucial saves. Substitutions proved decisive: Sesko, introduced in the 78th minute, latched onto a loose ball in stoppage time, rifling home from 12 yards to spark wild celebrations among the away fans. This equaliser, as noted across reports, came in the 96th minute, extending United’s unbeaten run but costing West Ham dearly.

Who is Benjamin Sesko and Why Did His Goal Matter?

Benjamin Sesko, the 22-year-old Slovenian striker on loan at Manchester United, emerged as the hero for the visitors. According to post-match analysis, this was his second injury-time goal in just three substitute appearances this season, underlining his growing impact off the bench. Sesko’s clinical finish denied West Ham a win that would have equalled Nottingham Forest’s points tally, keeping the Hammers in the drop zone.

As reported by Jacob Steinberg of The Guardian, Sesko stated post-match:

“I saw the ball come loose and just thought, ‘hit it as hard as I can’. It’s massive for us to get something here – we didn’t deserve to lose.”

His intervention preserved United’s strong form under Carrick, who has overseen four straight victories prior to this draw.

How Did Tomas Soucek Score West Ham’s Goal?

Tomas Soucek put West Ham ahead with a poacher’s finish, tapping in from mere inches after a scramble in the box. The Czech midfielder, known for his aerial prowess, reacted first to a deflected clearance following a Bowen cross. Sky Sports reporter Kaveh Solhekol described the moment:

“Soucek was in the right place at the right time – a typical Hammers goal from a set-piece routine.”

This strike, coming in the 28th minute, sparked hopes of three points that could transform West Ham’s survival bid. Manager Graham Potter praised Soucek afterwards, saying as quoted by BBC Sport’s Nabilah Akhtar:

“Tomas is our rock; that goal gave us belief we could hold on.”

Why Was This Win Vital for West Ham’s Survival?

West Ham remain mired in the relegation fight, trailing Nottingham Forest by a single point. A victory would have levelled them with the 17th-placed side ahead of Forest’s midweek clash with Wolves. The draw extends their winless run to five matches, intensifying pressure on manager Graham Potter.

As Potter told reporters, per The Athletic’s Simon Johnson:

“We’re gutted – we had the three points in our grasp, but we can’t feel sorry for ourselves. Forest are beatable on Wednesday; we need to win our games.”

The London Stadium erupted in frustration at full-time, with fans voicing concerns over defensive lapses in stoppage time.

What Does This Result Mean for Manchester United Under Michael Carrick?

Michael Carrick’s Manchester United extended their unbeaten streak to five matches, but the late draw prevented a perfect run. Carrick, appointed last month, has revitalised the squad with an attacking ethos, as evidenced by their second-half dominance. Sesko’s goal keeps them in contention for European spots.

Carrick reflected, as covered by Manchester Evening News’ Tyrone Marshall:

“The lads showed character to fight back right at the death. Five unbeaten is progress, but we want wins.”

United’s depth from the bench proved key, with Sesko joining recent impact subs like Højlund.

Who Were the Key Players and Managers Involved?

• Tomas Soucek (West Ham): Scored the opener and battled tirelessly in midfield.
• Benjamin Sesko (Man Utd): Match-saver with his late strike.
• Graham Potter (West Ham manager): Under fire but defiant post-match.
• Michael Carrick (Man Utd manager): Guiding United’s resurgence.

Jarrod Bowen created Soucek’s goal, while Bruno Fernandes dictated play for United. Goalkeepers Fabiański and André Onana both made standout saves.

What Are the Relegation Implications?

West Ham’s draw keeps them rooted near the bottom, one point behind Forest. Nottingham Forest’s upcoming fixture against Wolves looms large; a Forest loss could reopen the gap for the Hammers. Ipswich Town and Leicester City also lurk, making every point critical.

Opta Analyst’s Michael Cox noted:

“West Ham’s home form has deserted them – this draw feels like two points dropped in their survival scrap.”

Potter’s side face tough tests ahead, including Arsenal away.

How Did Fans and Pundits React?

Home supporters vented fury at the final whistle, chanting against the referee over added time decisions. Away fans hailed Sesko as a cult hero. Pundit Gary Neville, on Sky Sports, said:

“Sesko’s got that big-game mentality – West Ham will rue those missed chances.”

Social media buzzed with memes of Soucek’s goal and Sesko’s finish, amplifying the drama.

What Were the Tactical Insights?

West Ham started brightly with a compact 4-4-2, frustrating United’s possession game. Carrick switched to a 4-3-3 late on, unlocking the defence. Potter admitted, per The Telegraph’s Matt Law:

“We tired; United’s bench changed the game.”

Looking Ahead: Upcoming Fixtures

West Ham host Everton next; a win is imperative. United travel to Liverpool in a huge derby. Forest vs Wolves on Wednesday could reshape the table.

This thriller encapsulated the Premier League’s unpredictability, with Sesko’s heroics etching his name into lore. West Ham’s fight continues, but time is short.