Sheffield United 0-1 West Ham United: Sebastien Haller’s superb strike consigns hosts to another defeat

Sebastien Haller’s superb strike consigned winless Sheffield United to another Premier League defeat as West Ham moved into the top half of the table.

Chris Wilder’s side had started brightly and created several early openings but the Hammers took control as the hosts faded as an attacking force.

Vladimir Coufal and Tomas Soucek both had opportunities to score before Haller’s powerful 20-yard drive found the top-right corner.

Declan Rice then headed against the crossbar as the visitors sought to press home their advantage.

Sheffield United did rally, with Oli McBurnie seeing a left-foot effort cannon back off the crossbar, but they are still yet to score in open play at Bramall Lane this season.

Improving Blades fall short

With a solitary point on the board, Sheffield United began this contest with the joint-lowest points tally at this stage of a Premier League season and without a victory since 11 July.

However, while aspects of this performance will have pleased manager Wilder, they again came down on the wrong side of a tight contest.

Six of the Blades’ eight defeats this season have been by a margin of one goal and on another occasion they might have been a couple of goals ahead before West Ham hit their stride.

John Egan’s searching pass provided George Baldock with a third-minute chance to open the scoring but the full-back was unable to beat Hammers keeper Lukasz Fabianski at the near post.

Fabianski then parried McBurnie’s rising half volley to safety during a forceful start by the Blades.

But after failing to unlock the door their two main failings – a lack of goals and an inability keep a clean sheet – proved the difference again.

While there were signs that they are beginning to cope without the injured and influential Jack O’Connell in their defence – restricting the Hammers to just three shots on target – they were punished for a momentary lapse of concentration that allowed Haller the freedom to get his shot away under little pressure.

West Ham building momentum

After coming through a tricky opening spell in the game, Hammers boss David Moyes will have been pleased by the way his improving side grew in stature and confidence.

West Ham have now lost just once in their past seven outings and always looked capable of scoring despite the continued absence of Michail Antonio with a hamstring injury.

Galvanised by England midfielder Rice and his Czech counterpart Soucek, the visitors established control and looked a threat down both flanks.

Both were key in snuffing out Sheffield United’s early spark and while it is not their forte, both will also think they could have capped fine performances with a goal.

While Rice was unfortunate after expertly meeting Aaron Cresswell’s cross from the left, Soucek somehow missed the target from five yards after a lovely cushioned header into his path from Haller.

Wing-back Arthur Masuaku’s driving runs were another feature of their play and his charge inside began the move that saw Coufal force a fine save from Blades goalkeeper Aaron Ramsdale.

More to follow.