Forward Maxwel Cornet described Sunday’s 2-2 draw against Sheffield United as bittersweet, having notched his first goal for West Ham United before late drama saw the Club denied all three points at Bramall Lane.
The 27-year-old opened his Irons account with the game’s first goal shortly before the half-hour mark, finishing well at the back post after a Danny Ings shot was deflected into his path.
Ben Brereton Díaz - making his first top-flight appearance for the Blades - equalised at the end of the first half, and though a James Ward-Prowse penalty swung the momentum back in the visitors’ favour, red cards for Rhian Brewster and Vladimír Coufal preceded an Oli McBurnie spot-kick at the death that saw the honours end even.
“There are a lot of mixed emotions after that one,” said Cornet. “I was really happy to score - I made sure I stood on the back post and stayed focused on the ball, and it was a great feeling when it went in.
“But it wasn’t enough to help the team win the game, which is really frustrating. I’m not sure whether it should have been a penalty, but we have to respect the referee’s decision and accept that we didn’t do enough as a team today.”
With an eleven-day gap before West Ham’s next outing - against AFC Bournemouth back at London Stadium on 1 February - Cornet is clear that the team will do everything they can to reflect on their mistakes in South Yorkshire.
And on a personal note he is eager to build on a run of successive starts in all competitions, explaining how he hopes his patience and hard work will continue to pay off before the end of the current campaign.
“We’re all very disappointed after what happened at the end of the game, and that was clear to see in the dressing room,” added the Ivory Coast international.
“We feel we should have won the game, but today was a good example of how a match isn’t over until it’s over. It’s up to us stay focused until the final whistle, and we have to take the lessons from this match.
“The key to getting my chance has been patience, and I’m just frustrated that my first goal wasn’t part of a winning performance. I’ll keep working as hard as I can, and hopefully next time I can help the team get all three points.”
