Sheffield United climbed to fifth in the Premier League table on Friday with a win against West Ham, who had an injury-time equaliser ruled out by VAR.
John Fleck took advantage of a big mistake by substitute goalkeeper David Martin, latching on to his wayward pass to tee up Oli McBurnie to finish from close range after 53 minutes.
Substitute Robert Snodgrass thought he had levelled for the visitors, but the goal was disallowed after the ball was judged to have hit Declan Rice’s arm in the build-up.
“VAR, VAR”, the home fans chanted as the final whistle sounded, with West Ham condemned to their eighth defeat in 11 Premier League games and their first under new manager David Moyes.
The result means the Hammers remain two points above the relegation zone and could drop into the bottom three if results go against them this weekend.
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Wilder celebrates new deal with win
Sheffield United boss Chris Wilder signed a new four-and-a-half-year deal before the game and one media colleague said the photograph released by the club to announce the contract was the first time he had ever seen the lifelong Blades fan wear a tie.
Wilder is clearly at ease in a tracksuit on the touchline.
He may have spent most of the night with his hands in his pockets but he was a constant presence on the edge of his technical area and when there was a point to be made – to a player, one of his coaching staff or fourth official Simon Hooper – he was firm in making it.
Moyes has over 500 more Premier League games behind him than Wilder but he was 24 games without a win away at a top eight club prior to kick-off and until Felipe Anderson strode through just before the break, there was little to indicate his side were capable of breaking that run.
As it turned out, the Brazilian’s finish lacked composure. Manuel Lanzini did better with a couple of second-half efforts and Fabien Balbuena’s downward header bounced off the pitch and over the bar.
But even Wilder must have thought Dean Henderson’s goal had been breached when Snodgrass’ late effort crept in. The men in front of the screens at Stockley Park had other ideas.
West Ham’s goalkeeping nightmare
It was on the 13-minute mark when visiting keeper Lukasz Fabianski took a goal-kick and immediately signalled to the bench he had a problem.
The Poland international was only into his fourth game back after surgery to fix a torn hip muscle that had kept him out for three months.
That injury effectively cost Manuel Pellegrini his job given Fabianski’s deputy, Roberto, failed to keep a clean sheet in seven Premier League games, none of which the Hammers won.
Fabianski’s frustration was obvious as he beat the ground, then sat sadly in his penalty area, waiting for West Ham’s medical team to arrive.
The pushes and prods visible from the media seats suggested a repeat of his past problem. Either way, his game was over.
Martin was only meant to be a training keeper after his arrival from Millwall but the son of former Hammers legend Alvin was called off the bench. It really did not work out well.
He played a routine goal-kick straight to Fleck, who ran into the box to square to McBurnie for the only goal.
West Ham are aiming to sign another keeper, with Middlesbrough’s Darren Randolph lined up for a return to his former club. But the deal is on hold as he is also injured at present.
McBurnie’s decisive interventions
McBurnie has only scored four Premier League goals since his club record £20m move from Swansea last summer but he has managed some important ones within that total.
The Scotland striker’s injury-time equaliser against Manchester United in November will go down in Blades folklore.
His first-half effort at Brighton proved to be the match-winner and his latest effort broke the deadlock in one of those scruffy games the hosts need to win if they are to continue their present trajectory.
In truth, McBurnie, brought up in Leeds, did not have much to do and rolling the ball under Martin was too close to failure for comfort.
It was reward for an honest night’s work though. With his socks rolled down and slightly lumbering running style, McBurnie is old-school in the way he plays the game – which is why Sheffield United’s fans love having him around and gave him a standing ovation when he was substituted six minutes from time.
More to follow.
Line-ups
Sheff Utd
Substitutes
West Ham
Substitutes
Match Stats
Live Text
Match ends, Sheffield United 1, West Ham United 0.
Full Time
Second Half ends, Sheffield United 1, West Ham United 0.
VAR Decision: No Goal Sheffield United 1-0 West Ham United.
Hand ball by Declan Rice (West Ham United).
Pablo Zabaleta (West Ham United) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
Foul by Billy Sharp (Sheffield United).
Attempt missed. Sébastien Haller (West Ham United) header from the centre of the box is too high. Assisted by Robert Snodgrass with a cross following a set piece situation.
Booking
Muhamed Besic (Sheffield United) is shown the yellow card for a bad foul.
Felipe Anderson (West Ham United) wins a free kick in the attacking half.
Foul by Muhamed Besic (Sheffield United).
Substitution
Substitution, Sheffield United. Billy Sharp replaces Oliver McBurnie.
Substitution
Substitution, West Ham United. Pablo Fornals replaces Manuel Lanzini.
Offside, Sheffield United. Oliver McBurnie tries a through ball, but Lys Mousset is caught offside.
Corner, West Ham United. Conceded by John Egan.
Attempt saved. Manuel Lanzini (West Ham United) right footed shot from the left side of the box is saved in the bottom left corner.
Corner, Sheffield United. Conceded by Fabián Balbuena.
Attempt missed. Lys Mousset (Sheffield United) right footed shot from outside the box is high and wide to the left. Assisted by Enda Stevens following a fast break.
Attempt saved. Manuel Lanzini (West Ham United) right footed shot from outside the box is saved in the bottom left corner.
Felipe Anderson (West Ham United) wins a free kick in the attacking half.
Foul by Muhamed Besic (Sheffield United).
Attempt saved. Muhamed Besic (Sheffield United) left footed shot from the right side of the box is saved in the centre of the goal. Assisted by Oliver Norwood.
Attempt saved. Lys Mousset (Sheffield United) right footed shot from the centre of the box is saved in the bottom left corner. Assisted by John Fleck.
Foul by Sébastien Haller (West Ham United).
Oliver McBurnie (Sheffield United) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
Sébastien Haller (West Ham United) wins a free kick in the attacking half.
Foul by John Egan (Sheffield United).
Substitution
Substitution, Sheffield United. Muhamed Besic replaces John Lundstram.
Offside, West Ham United. Robert Snodgrass tries a through ball, but Sébastien Haller is caught offside.
Substitution
Substitution, West Ham United. Robert Snodgrass replaces Arthur Masuaku.
Sébastien Haller (West Ham United) wins a free kick in the attacking half.
Foul by John Egan (Sheffield United).
Corner, Sheffield United. Conceded by Aaron Cresswell.
Attempt blocked. George Baldock (Sheffield United) right footed shot from the centre of the box is blocked. Assisted by John Lundstram.
Offside, Sheffield United. Jack O’Connell tries a through ball, but Oliver McBurnie is caught offside.
Substitution
Substitution, Sheffield United. Lys Mousset replaces David McGoldrick.
Goal!
Goal! Sheffield United 1, West Ham United 0. Oliver McBurnie (Sheffield United) right footed shot from the centre of the box to the bottom right corner. Assisted by John Fleck.
Attempt missed. Oliver McBurnie (Sheffield United) header from the centre of the box is too high. Assisted by Oliver Norwood with a cross following a corner.
Corner, Sheffield United. Conceded by Fabián Balbuena.
Attempt missed. John Fleck (Sheffield United) left footed shot from outside the box misses to the right.
Attempt blocked. John Fleck (Sheffield United) left footed shot from outside the box is blocked.
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