It feels like a loss, given how long West Ham spent leading against Manchester United.
That said, I’d have taken a point before kick-off — and considering the referee appeared more than a little biased, with seven minutes of added time seemingly pulled from thin air, perhaps we should be grateful.
Once the disappointment fades, I suspect I’ll conclude that West Ham — and Nuno Espírito Santo — [produced a magnificent performance](https://www.claretandhugh.info/west-ham-1-1-manchester-united-player-ratings/) against Michael Carrick’s rejuvenated side.
The central defensive partnership was excellent once again. Crysencio Summerville didn’t score but was dangerous throughout, while [Tomáš Souček](https://www.claretandhugh.info/tomas-soucek-bio/) reminded everyone why he remains one of football’s great survivors.
At full-time, the players trudged off with heads bowed in disappointment.
But there is plenty to take from a performance where West Ham matched Manchester United for long spells — and realistically, it was the visitors who rode their luck.
Anti West Ham Ref as Big Chances Go Begging
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Make no mistake about it: VAR came to our rescue on this occasion, because the on-field officials looked desperate to award that late effort to Casemiro.
Questions will have to be asked of Adama Traoré and Callum Wilson, who both could — and should — have done much better given the graft put in by their teammates.
Still, this feels like one of those days where you’re disappointed by the result, but proud of the effort.
West Ham are fighting.
And in a Premier League relegation scrap, that matters.