When the Hair Has More Ties Than The Score: West Ham Stuns United and the Five-Win Dream Fades

Streak Stalls as West Ham Hold United to a 1-1 Draw

West Ham United halted Manchester United's league surge by drawing 1-1 in the 26th round of the season. United had won their previous four league games, but the streak ended in London.

Thomas Soucek gave West Ham the lead in the 50th minute, only for Benjamin Sesko to level for United in stoppage time at 90+6.

The result dealt a blow to Frank Ilett, a United supporter famous for promising not to cut his hair until United won five straight matches.

Since taking charge, United had been guided by coaches including Erik ten Hag, Ruben Amorim, and most recently Michael Carrick, who took charge for the run before this draw. Carrick's side had beaten Manchester City 2-0 in the derby, edged Arsenal 3-2 at the Emirates, then overcame Fulham 3-2 and Tottenham 2-0, before this setback.

Ilett told ESPN that what started as a lighthearted joke about not cutting his hair until five wins had turned into a social media phenomenon, growing longer with every missed chance.

Under Carrick, United had begun collecting points, and the sequence had fans dreaming of that five-win milestone. The dramatic late equaliser, however, put the dream back on the drawing board as the hair saga continues to unfold online.

With Carrick in caretaking charge, United’s results have been unexpectedly positive, but this time the final whistle interrupted the momentum and left both teams sharing the spoils.

Punchlines: If patience were a hairstyle, Ilett would be starring in a fashion show by now. And if momentum grows as fast as his hair, United might need a bigger mirror than the Emirates to handle the glare.