It looked like Marc Skinner's side were going to win ugly but the Hammers fought back to secure a deserved point through Viviane Asseyi
Last time Manchester United travelled to London, they suffered a damning defeat to Arsenal that killed their chances of securing Champions League football next season. Last time West Ham played at home, they beat the Gunners 2-1 in one of the shocks of the season. When the two met in the capital on Sunday, then, it felt like an upset could be on the cards and so it was, with the Hammers fighting back to secure a valuable point in a 1-1 draw that further dampened the Red Devils' spirits.
There were just four minutes on the clock when United took the lead at Victoria Road, with Katie Zelem pressing Katrina Gorry in midfield and picking her pocket before Rachel Williams broke the deadlock with a cool finish. A strong save from Earps a few minutes later, to deny Gorry, kept the visitors ahead and it was only because of Mackenzie Arnold's outstanding stop at the other end that Williams and United didn't have a second just before half time.
But it was West Ham who started the second half better and they got a deserved equaliser with five minutes remaining when Emma Snerle's perfect through ball found Viviane Asseyi, whose finish was something special. There was late drama when Williams blocked Arnold's goal-kick in the seventh minute of stoppage time and only had to put the ball into an empty net to give United victory, but she inexplicably missed the target as the Red Devils dropped points for the eighth time this season. With only seven wins on the board to counteract that, Marc Skinner's side now sit nine points off the European places with just seven games to go.
GOAL rates Man Utd's players from Victoria Road…
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Mary Earps (7/10):
Great stop early on to deny Gorry. All she had to do.
Hannah Blundell (5/10):
Caught out by Snerle's through ball to Asseyi for the goal.
Maya Le Tissier (7/10):
Followed an outstanding tackle up with a big block in the box to deny West Ham twice in quick succession as they put the pressure on – but it was all in vain.
Millie Turner (6/10):
Should've scored before the break but blazed over from close range. Subbed off shortly after half time due to an injury concern.
Leah Galton (7/10):
A real asset in attack despite playing at left-back. She contributed with some good defensive work, too.
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Katie Zelem (5/10):
Pressed brilliantly to set up Williams' opener and delivered solid set pieces but was sloppy on the ball as United lost control of the game.
Hayley Ladd (5/10):
Battled well in midfield but was unusually poor on the ball. Off before the hour.
Ella Toone (5/10):
Lively and looked to make things happen every time she picked up the ball, but struggled to make a major impact.
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Nikita Parris (6/10):
Has shone in a central role this season but played wider in this game. Wasn't the focal point as a result but worked hard and tried to make things happen.
Rachel Williams (5/10):
Marked a rare start with a clinical finish but her miss in stoppage time was incredible.
Melvine Malard (5/10):
Played some nice passes in Man Utd's build-up play but struggled to really make an impact in the final third in her wide role. Subbed off before the hour.
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Gemma Evans (6/10):
Replaced Turner before the hour and had plenty to do in defence as West Ham turned the screw. Didn't do much wrong.
Lucia Garcia (6/10):
Was lively off the bench and posed problems for West Ham as a genuine wide player.
Lisa Naalsund (5/10):
Injected energy into the midfield when she was introduced shortly after half time but couldn't help her team regain control of the game.
Marc Skinner (5/10):
Deploying Parris and Malard out wide nullified their threats. That was part of the reason United failed to create enough despite so much possession in the first half and it came back to bite them.