David Moyes flawless start as West Ham boss came to an end last Friday evening as they were defeated 1-0 by Sheffield United at Bramall Lane. In a tense affair, the Hammers had opportunities to win the match, with Felipe Anderson sending a one on one well wide, as most visiting players misfired in front of goal. Only late substitute Manuel Lanzini found the target with his two efforts, but Dean Henderson saved both. However, the player who cost West Ham most dearly was at the other end of the field.
Fabian Balbuena, rated £10.8m (Transfermarkt), was having an eventful evening at the back as he came up against Oli McBernie and David McGoldrick and he was largely keeping the pair quiet. Balbuena twice made tackles to thwart Sheffield United’s attacks and put the Hammers back in possession (without conceding a foul) and furthermore, the Hammers centre back nipped in on four occasions to regain the ball without having to make a tackle (via an interception) – more than any other away player. However, his standout defensive contribution was to rid West Ham’s defensive third of danger on a team-high six occasions.
Unfortunately though, the centre back was at fault when it mattered most, in a shocking split-second move that cost West Ham the game. Substitute goalkeeper David Martin, on for the injured Lukas Fabianski, rolled out a short goal kick in the Paraguayan’s direction. The sleepy defender switched off for a nanosecond, failed to receive the pass and turned to see two Sheffield United players bearing down upon him. Balbuena subsequently could not bring down John Fleck after grabbing his arm, as the Scot slotted a sideways pass to compatriot McBernie to tap past Martin.
Moyes would have no doubt been furious as West Ham pressed the self-destruct button after holding on well against the Premier League’s sixth-place side. Nobody was to blame but Balbuena as his 54 minutes of hard work up to that point was utterly undone.
It is the sort of lapse in concentration manager Moyes simply cannot cater for in his preparation of the side, and the final result leaves the Hammers just one point above the relegation zone. Balbuena is usually a reliable operator at the heart of the defence, but what could have been a spectacular display was undone in a single moment as he cost West Ham the points against Sheffield United.
