Facing their first league defeat since August, West Ham United staged a superb comeback to earn a 2-2 draw against Millwall at The Den on Saturday.
Nuno Espirito Santo’s side found themselves 2-0 down at half-time courtesy of goals from Caleb Taylor and Camiel Neghli.
Looking for a response, Nuno introduced Pablo Felipe and Mohamadou Kante at the break, with both substitutes combining to pull a goal back before Konstantinos Mavropanos equalised for West Ham.
The Hammers looked set to complete the turnaround late on, but had to settle for a point after Kante was sent off for the first red card of his career in a bid to atone for an original which almost cost his side.
It was a cruel end to an otherwise superb afternoon for the 20-year-old, who delivered arguably his best display in Claret and Blue.
Kante’s introduction at half-time injected new life into a West Ham side that had lacked attacking ideas in the first half.
He nearly got on the scoresheet seven minutes after coming on, but was denied by Filip Marschall.
Undeterred by that missed chance, Kante struck in the 74th minute with a superb goal from outside the area to notch his third Championship strike of the season.
Moments before his dismissal, Kante nearly set up a winner for Taty Castellanos, only for the striker’s effort to be blocked at close range.
Kante’s red card for a professional foul was a classic ‘taking one for the team’, bringing down Kyrell Lisbie, who was bearing down on goal.
West Ham players and fans recognised the importance of Kante’s intervention, applauding him as he left the field, knowing his actions could have been the difference between a point and none for West Ham.
Kante will now miss West Ham’s clash against Queens Park Rangers after the international break, but can take great confidence from his performance at Millwall.