McBurnie's Historic Late Penalty Salvages Dramatic Draw for Sheffield United Against West Ham

Oli McBurnie of Sheffield United secured a historic 103rd-minute penalty goal, marking the latest ever goal in the Premier League and earning his team a crucial point against West Ham. The penalty was awarded in the 98th minute when Hammers’ goalkeeper Alphonse Areola fouled McBurnie. Despite being made to wait due to Areola’s injury, McBurnie successfully converted the penalty against substitute goalkeeper Lukasz Fabianski.

West Ham had been leading 2-1 with James Ward-Prowse’s successful penalty in the 79th minute, adding to Maxwel Cornet’s first-half goal for the Hammers. Sheffield United’s Ben Brereton Diaz had equalized on the stroke of half-time on his Premier League debut.

Late drama unfolded in the second half, with two red cards and penalty shouts. Sheffield United’s Rhian Brewster was sent off after VAR intervention for a high tackle, and Vladimir Coufal received two yellow cards, the second for a cynical trip, leading to his dismissal. The match continued to be eventful as Sheffield United’s late equalizer prompted West Ham’s appeal for a penalty, but the decision went against them.

Despite the late heroics, Sheffield United remains at the bottom of the Premier League table, seven points away from safety. While their attacking prowess was evident, defensive issues persist, with the team becoming the third in Premier League history to concede 50 goals in 21 games or fewer.

For West Ham, the pressure on manager David Moyes increased as the team is winless in their last four matches. The decision to replace Maxwel Cornet with Ben Johnson was met with criticism from some supporters. Despite remaining sixth in the league, discontent among fans was apparent, especially after the late red card for Coufal and the denied penalty appeal in the final moments of the game.