West Ham United’s hopes of securing a vital three points were dashed in the dying moments as Manchester United substitute Benjamin Sesko scored a 96th-minute equalizer, resulting in a 1-1 draw at the London Stadium on Tuesday, February 10, 2026. The late strike by Sesko extended Manchester United’s unbeaten run under interim manager Michael Carrick to nine games, while West Ham were left to rue a missed opportunity to climb out of the relegation zone.
Tomas Soucek had put the Hammers ahead five minutes into the second half, a goal that appeared to be the winner until Sesko’s intervention. The draw leaves Manchester United in fourth place in the Premier League table with 45 points from 26 games, while West Ham remain in 18th place with 24 points, two points adrift of safety. For West Ham, the dropped points represent a significant blow in their battle to avoid relegation, having conceded a lead in the final moments of a match for the second time in recent memory. Manchester United, conversely, saw their four-match winning streak come to an end but maintained their undefeated status under Carrick.
Late Drama at London Stadium
The match began cagily, with both teams struggling to establish dominance in a tight first half. Manchester United enjoyed more possession, but clear-cut chances were scarce. The first half saw limited action, with one notable moment when Luke Shaw’s shot was cleared off the line by former teammate Aaron Wan-Bissaka in the 22nd minute. West Ham also had their opportunities, with Crysencio Summerville denied by goalkeeper Senne Lammens and Jarrod Bowen sending a header wide.
The deadlock was broken five minutes after halftime when Tomas Soucek found the back of the net. Jarrod Bowen delivered a low cross from the right flank, and Soucek expertly guided the ball past Lammens. Manchester United thought they had equalized midway through the second half when Casemiro headed home Kobbie Mainoo’s cross, but the goal was disallowed for a marginal offside following a VAR review.
Sesko’s Heroics and Carrick’s Reaction
As the match entered stoppage time, Manchester United’s pressure intensified. Substitute Joshua Zirkzee came close to equalizing with a header that went inches wide. However, it was Benjamin Sesko who ultimately delivered the decisive blow in the sixth minute of added time. Bryan Mbeumo delivered a cross from the right, and Sesko produced a flicked finish to send the ball inside Mads Hermansen’s far post.
Manchester United manager Michael Carrick acknowledged his team’s performance was not at its best but praised their resilience. “We were OK. I think we were a little disappointed and we were definitely not at our best,” Carrick told TNT Sports. “It’s times like that when you find a way and move on. I’m a little frustrated at that. It is a tough place to come and we didn’t have that sharpness to find the answers. Great spirit again and we will take the point and move on.” He added, “Fantastic finish. He has done it again. It is important. It is a great finish. Delighted for him. Another big goal and a good step.”
West Ham’s Frustration and Future Outlook
West Ham manager Nuno Espírito Santo expressed his disappointment at conceding late but highlighted the team’s positive performance. “The fans, the players and ourselves are disappointed to take this blow in the final moments of the match,” Santo said. “But we’ve been able to contain a team in a good moment. The way we started the second half was very positive. In the final moments we had two or three occasions with space in behind where we should have scored the second. Overall it was a very positive performance.”
Despite the late equalizer, West Ham showcased improved performance and resilience, particularly in defense, as they sought to secure a crucial win against a high-flying United side. The draw, however, means they remain precariously close to the relegation zone, intensifying their fight for survival. Tomas Soucek’s goal marked his 39th in the Premier League, making him the outright leading Czech scorer in the competition’s history, surpassing Patrik Berger.
The result at the London Stadium had implications across the league. Tottenham Hotspur, who lost 2-1 at home to Newcastle United, were dragged closer to the relegation battle, now just five points ahead of 18th-placed West Ham. For Manchester United, the point extended their unbeaten streak and kept them in fourth place, maintaining their pursuit of Champions League qualification.