As the full-time whistle went and Manchester United’s players rushed to celebrate with David De Gea, it was impossible not to be drawn to the forlorn figure cut by Mark Noble 25 yards away. The West Ham midfielder, brought on with the sole purpose of converting the penalty that would have earned David Moyes’ team a deserved draw, must have wished a sinkhole had suddenly appeared in the London Stadium pitch to swallow him up. Eventually he walked to a number of team-mates, including pulling up Declan Rice from a disconsolate position on the turf, before heading down the tunnel with his head bowed. Moyes said that it was solely his decision and if Rice, who would have taken the attempt otherwise, had missed he would have felt even worse.
David Moyes said: “He’s one of the best penalty takers we’ve got. My choice, my decision. That’s what happens in management, you have to make big decisions. I thought we had a really good penalty taker on the bench. I’d have been more disappointed in myself if I hadn’t made the decision and another player missed. Decision-making can always be right or wrong.”
West Ham contributed an equal share to a remarkable game in which the hosts led through Said Benrahma’s heavily deflected strike on the half hour. Cristiano Ronaldo levelled from close range five minutes later before both sides spurned chances.
