West Ham United were heartbreakingly denied a victory against Manchester United at the London Stadium on Tuesday night.
Tomas Soucek gave West Ham the lead after meeting Jarrod Bowen’s low delivery and calmly slotting the ball beyond Senne Lammens.
The Hammers showed huge resilience, holding Michael Carrick’s side at bay until deep into second-half stoppage time.
But substitute Benjamin Sesko produced a decisive moment with less than two minutes left, firing a superb finish into the top corner.
The 1-1 result leaves Nuno Espirito Santo’s team inside the Premier League relegation zone, sitting two points behind Nottingham Forest in 17th place.
Casemiro goal disallowed vs Manchester United
Before Sesko struck the equaliser, Manchester United believed they had drawn level through Casemiro.
The Brazilian midfielder timed his run into the area and headed Kobbie Mainoo’s cross past West Ham goalkeeper Mads Hermansen.
Casemiro’s celebration was muted, anticipating a possible VAR intervention for offside, and those concerns were soon justified.
Referee Craig Pawson advised that the goal should be ruled out, with the former Real Madrid star judged to be marginally ahead of Aaron Wan-Bissaka and therefore in an offside position.
It only delayed the inevitable for the hosts, however, as Sesko later found the net in the closing moments of the match.
Premier League issue statement during West Ham vs Manchester United
The offside decision was extremely close and required several minutes for VAR to complete its review.
In the end, the goal was overturned, and the Premier League clarified the decision via X.
The Premier League Match Centre account stated: “VAR reviewed the referee’s decision of goal and confirmed that Casemiro was in an offside position, recommending that the goal be disallowed.”
Although West Ham conceded a late equaliser, the VAR ruling ensured they at least secured a point as they continue their fight for Premier League survival.
