West Ham manager Manuel Pellegrini has claimed Sheffield United created very little as his side drew 1-1 with the Blades yesterday.
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The Hammers were in front just before half-time at the London Stadium. Robert Snodgrass stormed forward to slide past Dean Henderson. It was a lovely finish from Snodgrass, who was impressive throughout.
Sheffield United his back, however, as substitute Lys Mousset netted his second goal in a week. A sublime volley from Mousset proved enough to roll past goalkeeper Roberto in the Hammers’ net.
However, despite the Blades dominating much of the second-half, Pellegrini insisted his side were not threatened in the second period, other than for the goal.
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“They just came with the counter-attack. Didn’t create too many options,” Pellegrini told the club’s official website.
“They had one cross in the first half and one chance from a corner which Roberto saved. But the rest of the game they didn’t create other than their goal, which was a little bit strange.”
West Ham did have chances of their own to win the game. Both Snodgrass and Felipe Anderson should have done better when presented with opportunities.
Pellegrini’s selective comments
For Pellegrini to say Sheffield United didn’t create anything else in the game is quite a strange comment.
The Blades had the ball in the net, admittedly comfortably disallowed, while full-back George Baldock also passed up two golden opportunities at the back post. The Hammers did have simple chances to win it but had Baldock been composed, the three points would be heading back north.
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It’s perhaps a bit short-sighted of Pellegrini to insist his side didn’t concede many chances. Sheffield United were well in the game. On another day, the result could have swung either way.
Blades to be more clinical
Aside from the aforementioned Baldock chances, United did have other openings. David McGoldrick should have scored in the first-half, while John Lundstram came close too.
United are getting into goal scoring positions, they just need to be more clinical.
Mousset getting on the score-sheet again can only be a good thing. Likewise, Callum Robinson, Billy Sharp, and Oli McBurnie should now be desperate to not let Mousset run away with the top scorer tag.
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United manager Chris Wilder was happy with some elements of his team’s performance. However, he is looking for the full 90 minute show from his team, as he touched on here.
