Hammers frustrated by Blades in London Stadium draw

Declan Rice in action against Sheffield United


West Ham United 1-1 Sheffield United
Premier League

West Ham United had to settle for a point after they were pegged back by a resilient Sheffield United side at London Stadium on Saturday.

The Hammers looked to be in a good position to end their three-game wait for a Premier League win when Robert Snodgrass nudged them in front a minute before the interval.

But they were unable to find the all-important second goal and the Blades made them pay with a 69th minute leveller from Lys Mousset.

Snodgrass hit a post as the Hammers searched for a late winner, but it would not come on an ultimately frustrating east London afternoon.

Manuel Pellegrini rung the changes as he looked for a response to last weekend’s loss at Everton, with Pablo Zabaleta, Fabian Balbuena, Aaron Cresswell, Snodgrass and Andriy Yarmolenko all coming into the starting XI.

And Pellegrini’s men soon set about dominating the ball, even if they were finding it tough to get in behind a resilient Sheffield United side.

The Hammers won seven first half corners, but up until Snodgrass’ 44th minute opener, the Blades – who were outpassed 293 to 140 in the opening period – actually had the best chance.

It came with 28 minutes on the clock, and the hosts were grateful for Roberto’s sharp reactions to deny David McGoldrick from point-back range after Jack O’Connell nodded John Fleck’s corner to his teammate in space. The rebound dropped for O’Connell himself, and Sebastien Haller stood in the way to block crucially.

Sheffield United’s shape in defence was exemplary, but the one time they were dragged out of position, right on half-time, West Ham took advantage.

An away attack ended with the ball in Roberto’s hands, and he quickly delivered downfield. Haller could not win the header, but applied sufficient pressure on Chris Basham to send his clearance straight to Yarmolenko’s feet. He spotted Snodgrass haring down the middle, and released him with a perfectly-weighted pass to run in on goal and slot past Dean Henderson for 1-0.

Sheffield United had the first opening of the second period, when George Baldock found himself in space at the far post. He drilled goalwards, and a combination of Roberto and Cresswell got blocks in to prevent the ball crossing the line.

West Ham broke soon afterwards, with Felipe Anderson and Yarmolenko exchanging passes neatly, only for the former’s shot from close in to hit goalkeeper Henderson’s legs.

The Blades would not go away and they were rewarded 21 minutes from time with the equalising goal. Issa Diop could not get enough on his header from a Baldock cross, and Enda Stevens kept it alive, nodding to Mousset, who volleyed into the bottom right corner.

With ten minutes left to play the Hammers were the width of the post away from a winner. Pablo Fornals worked his way into space down the right and crossed low. Yarmolenko got a faint touch at the near post, and Snodgrass came sliding in at the far, but was only able to knock against the outside of the upright.

West Ham United: Roberto, Zabaleta, Balbuena, Diop, Cresswell, Rice, Noble (Fornals 78), Snodgrass (Ajeti 86), Yarmolenko, Felipe Anderson (Lanzini 66), Haller
Subs: Martin, Fredericks, Ogbonna, Sanchez

Goal: Snodgrass 44

Booked: Diop, Balbuena

Sheffield United: Henderson, Basham, Egan, O'Connell, Baldock, Lundstram, Norwood (Mousset 63), Fleck, Stevens, McGoldrick (Besic 81), Robinson (Sharp 54)
Subs: Moore, Jagielka, Freeman, McBurnie

Goal: Mousset 69

Booked: Baldock, Stevens

Referee: David Coote

Attendance: 59,878