Another win for Sheffield United, a new contract for their manager and more VAR debate

‘Supposedly’ because, loitering to their left inside the home technical area, was a photographer tasked with capturing the moment and then distributing it to the regional and national media. It was a sign that HRH Prince Abdullah bin Musa’ad bin Abdulaziz Al Saud and two of his closest associates knew they had just completed arguably the most important piece of business on Sheffield United’s agenda during this month’s transfer window: Agreeing a new long-term contract with manager Chris Wilder.

The timing of the deal was significant. And not only because, after committing himself to the club for the next four-and-a-half seasons, it means prospective new signings know the individual responsible for lifting United out of the doldrums and into the Premier League should, barring an amazing chain of events, be in situ for the foreseeable.

West Ham, last night’s visitors to Bramall Lane, are among those teams known to have been monitoring Wilder’s situation closely before appointing David Moyes - on the shortest term deal possible without causing offence - as Manuel Pellegrini’s successor.

So as well as being a filip for players, supporters and potential new acquisitions alike, events before kick-off were also designed to fire a warning shot across the bows of Wilder’s growing army of admirers.

United applied a similar tactic at the beginning of this match too, with John Egan glancing a header over the crossbar after meeting Oliver Norwood’s corner.

But it was two Scots, in front of their national manager Steve Clarke, who eventually forced the breakthrough following a subdued first-half. After, it must be admitted, a familiar weakness in their opponents’ armoury reared its head.

“That’s a big three points for us, make no mistake about it,” Wilder said, after watching Oli McBurnie combine with John Fleck, following a mistake by West Ham goalkeeper David Martin, to lift his side to fifth in the table. “It wasn’t a big performance, before the break at least, but sometimes you forgive that for a big result. And it definitely was.”

Earlier in the week, while his agent finalised negotiations with United’s board, Wilder had described West Ham as a completely “different animal” to the one his side encountered at the London Stadium earlier this term.

Moyes’ presence has been a factor behind that transformation. But even the former Everton chief, who arrived in South Yorkshire having won both of his matches at the helm so far, would admit Lukasz Fabianski is an equally influential figure for the visitors.

Nervous, disorganised and porous in his absence - they failed to keep a clean sheet with Roberto Jiminez between the posts - West Ham have conceded just once since the Pole’s return from injury. So little wonder, when Fabianski seemingly suffered a recurrence of the thigh problem he sustained earlier this term, the six foot tall Moyes appeared to lose a few inches on the touchline.

“We think Lukasz has done the same thing again,” he later explained. “It’s too early to say but obviously we’ll put him through all the required tests.”

Although Fabianski’s replacement Martin is more than adequate, the 34-year-old’s departure provided an opening for United to try and exploit.

They did, early in the second period, before attempting to gnaw away at West Ham’s confidence. Even so, Dean Henderson was still required to make two fine reaction saves to deny Manuel Lanzini an equaliser before United finally fell in love with VAR.

After expressing his frustration with the system following a series of incidents en route to this fixture, Wilder had the officials at Stockley Park to thank for ruling-out Robert Snodgrass’ effort deep into added time; Declan Rice deemed to have handled the ball before his fellow midfielder sent it flying into the back of the net.

Moyes insisted he was “confused” why a “perfectly good goal had been disallowed. Rice appeared close to tears when he was interviewed afterwards.

“I was running in a forward motion,” he sighed, gazing at his feet rather than the camera. “He, the defender, knocked it against me. I’m not sure what I’m supposed to do.”

The same could be said of Wilder who, after suggesting the timing of his extension had complicated United’s preparations for the fixture, acknowledged he felt “sympathy” for his counterpart.

“Whatever my interpretation of the law is, I’ve got a lot of sympathy for David and his players,” he said. “I know Mark Noble, I know Declan and I know Robert. It’s a huge three points for the football club.

“To get to 32 points at this stage of the season is a great reward for this club. But I feel a little bit deflated to be honest, because of what happened to David. I know what he’s felt and I’ve felt it in the past. Our boys have felt it in the past too.”

Three months ago, these two rivals had produced an eventful meeting in the east end of the capital; an area, Wilder had noted ahead of kick-off, which boasts several things in common with the Steel City.

“We’re both working class clubs, the fans demand similar things and, if I’m honest, apart from what went on I think supporters from both could probably share a pint.”

That was the only time he alluded to the Carlos Tevez Saga which cost United their top-flight status and West Ham around £20m. It has shaped, despite everyone’s best efforts to pretend otherwise, their relationship since.

But any lingering animosity failed to manifest itself on the pitch until the start of the second-half when McBurnie, preferred in attack to Lys Mousset, ensured United took full advantage of Martin’s error. He was aided and abetted by Fleck, who seized possession when Fabian Balbuena was sold short before squaring for the centre-forward to convert from close-range.

Taking a rueful swig from his water bottle, Martin looked crestfallen. Up in the stands, a broad smile spread across Clarke’s face.

Fleck, claiming his 12th assist of the campaign, is by far United’s most creative player.

The most explosive - Mousset - was introduced soon after but demonstrated a more subtle side to his character by caressing a perfectly-flighted pass towards George Baldock, who but for Aaron Cresswell’s quick-thinking, would have doubled the hosts’ lead.

Martin went some way towards redeeming himself by saving the United’s substitute’s shot with his feet before Lanzini went close, not once but twice, to restoring parity. On both occasions, though, Henderson proved the Argentine’s equal with his first block - from a well-taken set-piece - particularly impressive before controversy reigned supreme.

“VAR? I don’t think anyone wants it,” Rice insisted.

For once, however, United might disagree. Despite their previous experiences.