Deadbat
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Report below…..
Podcast
Pre match
Post match
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The Blades remain undefeated on the road after picking up a point at the London Stadium on a rainy October afternoon in East London. Lys Mousset was the United hero again for the second successive game with a second half equaliser after Robert Snodgrass’s breakaway goal had given the Hammers a first half lead. United had been poor in the first half but despite never really getting going they created arguably the best two big chances but soon after this West Ham countered at pace and scored just before the break. The second half saw United begin to play higher up the field and were the better side for long spells and got their reward with Mousset’s clever cushioned finish. After this the game could have gone either way but the home side did miss two very good chances and United in the end will be delighted with another point.
Chris Wilder opted to make one change with Callum Robinson replacing Mousset was the United manager felt that the French striker would struggle starting two games in less than a week. West Ham made five changes after the defeat at Everton a week ago. Lanzini and Fornals both were dropped to the bench but it was a side packed full of international talent and they had record 45 million signing Sebastien Haller starting up front.
The game started with many fans not yet in their seat as the bubble machine went into full affect pitch side. West Ham enjoyed the early possession and won a corner in the opening few minutes. Snodgrass corner saw a foul but soon after the same man put a dangerous cross in that just missed Yarmolenko. West Ham won two more further corners as they pinned United back. Henderson had to punch one clear. The away side were not keeping the ball well enough and sloppy mistakes were mounting. West Ham were having a lot of unopposed possession and oddly against a side so strong down the sides defensively, getting joy on the flanks. Rice and Noble were moving the ball about well but the home side had not really created anything clear cut.
The Blades had offered little from an attacking point of view but a rare break saw McGoldrick in on the angle but his cross was overhit and away from Robinson. The other way Anderson had an effort that flew over the bar. West Ham won their sixth corner but United were able to clear the ball.
Despite being second best, United created the best chance on the half hour. It came after McGoldrick had been cynically took out by Diop which led to a booking after the play had stopped. Baldock too the ball on and his cross was cleared for a corner. From the Fleck delivery, O’Connell headed down and McGoldrick flicked goal wards but Jiminez made a great save. Lundstram could not force the rebound home as the ball was blocked. Soon after McGoldrick had another effort but his header was easily saved and he may have been offside.
United’s improvement saw a neat move with several players involved in the build up and O’Connell’s cross was turned wide of the near post by Lundstram. The keeper may have had it covered. However, he did not have the next opportunity covered as Superman style he failed to get anything on a deep cross and Robinson somehow missed with many in the away end thinking wrongly it had gone into the net. Stevens’ shot was deflected just wide.
The last 5-10 minutes had seen United create a flurry of chances and get a real foothold in the game but a sucker punch saw them fall behind just before the break. It was a long punt forward and Basham’s header fell to Yarmolenko who hit a first-time ball that completely dissected a stretched and out of position defence. SNODGRASS was in on goal and took his time before coolly slotting past Henderson. It was a real blow for United who had finally got going only to be undone by a rather route one goal in its origin, albeit with the final pass and finish of a higher quality.
United came out determined to try and force the play to begin the second half. Fleck was getting on the ball more and drove at the Hammers defence. Lundstram then sent a cross over that had to be cleared. Both Stevens and Baldock were playing noticeable higher up the field. Lundstram’s flick sent Fleck clear down the left and his cross fell perfectly for Baldock but his shot was blocked by Jimenez and then eventually cleared. It was a really good chance.
At the other end Henderson then had to make a great save to deny Anderson’s effort as he was in on goal after Norwood had lost the ball. Sharp came on for Robinson who had made limited impact yet again before Noble’s chipped effort was off target. United were now throwing caution to the wind and Baldock again found himself well placed but screwed his effort horrible wide. The wing back had wasted two glorious chances to get the visitors back in the game.
Mousset came on for Norwood and McGoldrick dropped into a ‘10’ role. Balbuena and Baldock both were booked in separate fouls before Sharp tapped home after a patient move but the offside flag had been rightly put up long before the ball was put in the net. Anderson was replaced by Lanzini as the game entered a scrappy spell of play as the game entered the final quarter of the game.
The leveller came and it was no surprise that the scorer was the man with the magic touch Lys MOUSSET. Baldock for once managed to put over a better cross and Diop could only flick a header partially away. Stevens smartly headed down and Mousset managed to cushion a perfect volleyed finish beyond Jiminez and into the far corner. The away fans behind the goal celebrated wildly.
West Ham’s complacency had been made to pay. They had been as sloppy as the Blades had in the first half and now had to raise their game considerably to try and get something from the game. They had a chance when Henderson had to smother a close-range effort from Cresswell at the far post. Not long after Rice hit a long-range effort that the United goalie had to beat the ball away. Noble came off for Forrnals as West Ham looked for the opportunity to win the game. It so nearly came when a cross from the left from Fornals was met by Snodgrass but from a tight angle it hit the outside of the post.
The goal scorer came off for Ajeti as the game entered the final five minutes of regulation time. United were now sitting in and trying to keep a solid shape but did have one break that was cleared. Back at the other end the Hammers were back on the attack but O’Connell stepped in to make the clearance. United won two corners but to the chagrin of some of the away fans opted not to put the ball into the box. They were nearly made to pay as Yarmolenko had an effort that whizzed just wide. Stevens then took one for the team as he hacked down Haller. The free kick was cleared by Lundstram and United won a free kick that allowed them to run down time and take another valuable point.
United – I don’t think we were anywhere close to our best today and still got a draw. It shows how far we have come. It was a better result than performance but over the course of the game I think we just about deserved a draw. Henderson made a few important but expected saves (Rice, Anderson and Cresswell) but then so did Jiminez from McGoldrick and also Baldock. They had more chances and of course hit the post but it was a tough chance on the angle and maybe showed more quality on the ball but we were always in the game yet again. First half they controlled things and we sat too deep. We gave it away when we had it but did not press or get amongst them like we normally do. We kind of did not engage and they moved it around nicely but they did not create tons of chances. However, you sensed they may get one if we kept sitting off and then being sloppy when we had it. Ironically, we then had a good spell just after the half hour and McGoldrick had a great chance. They then broke soon after and scored which was really frustrating in terms of us not having cover and somebody losing their runner who came off and broke through. It was an awful time to concede just before the break but on reflection about a fair score on the game and possession/control they had.
After the break we were much better and for the first 25-30 minutes we had much more of the ball, got men forward, created chances and looked like a team again. The wing backs got on the ball, the midfield saw more of it and Fleck and Lundstram started to dictate things. I felt we did not create too much but Baldock had a great chance (two actually) and you felt we could maybe nick something as we put on extra attackers and had effectively three strikers on the pitch. West Ham did not create much at all in this spell and were playing on the break and were seemingly playing more on the counter attack. United got their reward with the goal and after this you thought could we go on and win it but probably wisely we sat in more – although I was livid, we had two corners at the end and decided not to put it into the box. They did have a few late chances and you were pleased we got something from the game as they suddenly went for it.
Individually and collectively we could have played much better but we hung in and did improve after the break. Mousset took his goal very well and is proving a real talisman for us. I felt we can do better in all aspects of our game though in terms of starting games better and also ensuing that we are pressing the opponents more. When we got on the ball second half, we were also much better with it. Overall it is a really important point, following up the big win in the week and it has been an excellent week for United. We now have a big game next week. Burnley will be smarting from their latest defeat and are a very well drilled and managed side. I think it will be an extremely tough test. It is quite a pivotal game for me. If we can somehow win or even draw than I will be absolutely delighted and will cement a fantastic start back to life in the top level. Things are so tight though so lose that (and with Spurs away to come) and we could be back down the lower end – that is why it is so important for me.
Podcast
Pre match
Post match
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The Blades remain undefeated on the road after picking up a point at the London Stadium on a rainy October afternoon in East London. Lys Mousset was the United hero again for the second successive game with a second half equaliser after Robert Snodgrass’s breakaway goal had given the Hammers a first half lead. United had been poor in the first half but despite never really getting going they created arguably the best two big chances but soon after this West Ham countered at pace and scored just before the break. The second half saw United begin to play higher up the field and were the better side for long spells and got their reward with Mousset’s clever cushioned finish. After this the game could have gone either way but the home side did miss two very good chances and United in the end will be delighted with another point.
Chris Wilder opted to make one change with Callum Robinson replacing Mousset was the United manager felt that the French striker would struggle starting two games in less than a week. West Ham made five changes after the defeat at Everton a week ago. Lanzini and Fornals both were dropped to the bench but it was a side packed full of international talent and they had record 45 million signing Sebastien Haller starting up front.
The game started with many fans not yet in their seat as the bubble machine went into full affect pitch side. West Ham enjoyed the early possession and won a corner in the opening few minutes. Snodgrass corner saw a foul but soon after the same man put a dangerous cross in that just missed Yarmolenko. West Ham won two more further corners as they pinned United back. Henderson had to punch one clear. The away side were not keeping the ball well enough and sloppy mistakes were mounting. West Ham were having a lot of unopposed possession and oddly against a side so strong down the sides defensively, getting joy on the flanks. Rice and Noble were moving the ball about well but the home side had not really created anything clear cut.
The Blades had offered little from an attacking point of view but a rare break saw McGoldrick in on the angle but his cross was overhit and away from Robinson. The other way Anderson had an effort that flew over the bar. West Ham won their sixth corner but United were able to clear the ball.
Despite being second best, United created the best chance on the half hour. It came after McGoldrick had been cynically took out by Diop which led to a booking after the play had stopped. Baldock too the ball on and his cross was cleared for a corner. From the Fleck delivery, O’Connell headed down and McGoldrick flicked goal wards but Jiminez made a great save. Lundstram could not force the rebound home as the ball was blocked. Soon after McGoldrick had another effort but his header was easily saved and he may have been offside.
United’s improvement saw a neat move with several players involved in the build up and O’Connell’s cross was turned wide of the near post by Lundstram. The keeper may have had it covered. However, he did not have the next opportunity covered as Superman style he failed to get anything on a deep cross and Robinson somehow missed with many in the away end thinking wrongly it had gone into the net. Stevens’ shot was deflected just wide.
The last 5-10 minutes had seen United create a flurry of chances and get a real foothold in the game but a sucker punch saw them fall behind just before the break. It was a long punt forward and Basham’s header fell to Yarmolenko who hit a first-time ball that completely dissected a stretched and out of position defence. SNODGRASS was in on goal and took his time before coolly slotting past Henderson. It was a real blow for United who had finally got going only to be undone by a rather route one goal in its origin, albeit with the final pass and finish of a higher quality.
United came out determined to try and force the play to begin the second half. Fleck was getting on the ball more and drove at the Hammers defence. Lundstram then sent a cross over that had to be cleared. Both Stevens and Baldock were playing noticeable higher up the field. Lundstram’s flick sent Fleck clear down the left and his cross fell perfectly for Baldock but his shot was blocked by Jimenez and then eventually cleared. It was a really good chance.
At the other end Henderson then had to make a great save to deny Anderson’s effort as he was in on goal after Norwood had lost the ball. Sharp came on for Robinson who had made limited impact yet again before Noble’s chipped effort was off target. United were now throwing caution to the wind and Baldock again found himself well placed but screwed his effort horrible wide. The wing back had wasted two glorious chances to get the visitors back in the game.
Mousset came on for Norwood and McGoldrick dropped into a ‘10’ role. Balbuena and Baldock both were booked in separate fouls before Sharp tapped home after a patient move but the offside flag had been rightly put up long before the ball was put in the net. Anderson was replaced by Lanzini as the game entered a scrappy spell of play as the game entered the final quarter of the game.
The leveller came and it was no surprise that the scorer was the man with the magic touch Lys MOUSSET. Baldock for once managed to put over a better cross and Diop could only flick a header partially away. Stevens smartly headed down and Mousset managed to cushion a perfect volleyed finish beyond Jiminez and into the far corner. The away fans behind the goal celebrated wildly.
West Ham’s complacency had been made to pay. They had been as sloppy as the Blades had in the first half and now had to raise their game considerably to try and get something from the game. They had a chance when Henderson had to smother a close-range effort from Cresswell at the far post. Not long after Rice hit a long-range effort that the United goalie had to beat the ball away. Noble came off for Forrnals as West Ham looked for the opportunity to win the game. It so nearly came when a cross from the left from Fornals was met by Snodgrass but from a tight angle it hit the outside of the post.
The goal scorer came off for Ajeti as the game entered the final five minutes of regulation time. United were now sitting in and trying to keep a solid shape but did have one break that was cleared. Back at the other end the Hammers were back on the attack but O’Connell stepped in to make the clearance. United won two corners but to the chagrin of some of the away fans opted not to put the ball into the box. They were nearly made to pay as Yarmolenko had an effort that whizzed just wide. Stevens then took one for the team as he hacked down Haller. The free kick was cleared by Lundstram and United won a free kick that allowed them to run down time and take another valuable point.
United – I don’t think we were anywhere close to our best today and still got a draw. It shows how far we have come. It was a better result than performance but over the course of the game I think we just about deserved a draw. Henderson made a few important but expected saves (Rice, Anderson and Cresswell) but then so did Jiminez from McGoldrick and also Baldock. They had more chances and of course hit the post but it was a tough chance on the angle and maybe showed more quality on the ball but we were always in the game yet again. First half they controlled things and we sat too deep. We gave it away when we had it but did not press or get amongst them like we normally do. We kind of did not engage and they moved it around nicely but they did not create tons of chances. However, you sensed they may get one if we kept sitting off and then being sloppy when we had it. Ironically, we then had a good spell just after the half hour and McGoldrick had a great chance. They then broke soon after and scored which was really frustrating in terms of us not having cover and somebody losing their runner who came off and broke through. It was an awful time to concede just before the break but on reflection about a fair score on the game and possession/control they had.
After the break we were much better and for the first 25-30 minutes we had much more of the ball, got men forward, created chances and looked like a team again. The wing backs got on the ball, the midfield saw more of it and Fleck and Lundstram started to dictate things. I felt we did not create too much but Baldock had a great chance (two actually) and you felt we could maybe nick something as we put on extra attackers and had effectively three strikers on the pitch. West Ham did not create much at all in this spell and were playing on the break and were seemingly playing more on the counter attack. United got their reward with the goal and after this you thought could we go on and win it but probably wisely we sat in more – although I was livid, we had two corners at the end and decided not to put it into the box. They did have a few late chances and you were pleased we got something from the game as they suddenly went for it.
Individually and collectively we could have played much better but we hung in and did improve after the break. Mousset took his goal very well and is proving a real talisman for us. I felt we can do better in all aspects of our game though in terms of starting games better and also ensuing that we are pressing the opponents more. When we got on the ball second half, we were also much better with it. Overall it is a really important point, following up the big win in the week and it has been an excellent week for United. We now have a big game next week. Burnley will be smarting from their latest defeat and are a very well drilled and managed side. I think it will be an extremely tough test. It is quite a pivotal game for me. If we can somehow win or even draw than I will be absolutely delighted and will cement a fantastic start back to life in the top level. Things are so tight though so lose that (and with Spurs away to come) and we could be back down the lower end – that is why it is so important for me.
