A RARE Premier League goal for Sebastien Haller gave West Ham victory at Bramall Lane today — and piled more misery on bottom-placed Sheffield United.

Chris Wilder’s side have only one point from their nine matches as Haller’s strike from the edge of the penalty area after 56 minutes inflicted a fourth-straight loss and an eighth Premier League defeat.

The Hammers, on the other hand, have 14 points from a tricky opening set of fixtures including against Arsenal, Wolves, Leicester, Tottenham, Manchester City and Liverpool.

The Blades started well before George Baldock’s driven near-post effort worked Lukasz Fabianski — who soon parried a low shot from Oli McBurnie before reacting quickly to deny David McGoldrick on the follow up.

But the visitors grew into the match and should have taken the lead after 34 minutes when Haller headed the ball down into the path of Tomas Soucek inside the penalty area. But, with the goal at his mercy, the midfielder scuffed his shot wide.

West Ham went ahead early in the second half, after Jarrod Bowen collected the ball on the half turn following a clearance by Ramsdale and embarked on a driving run.

He released it to Pablo Fornals whose shot was blocked at point-blank range. But the ball ricocheted into the path of Haller, whose first-time shot from the edge of the penalty area flew into the roof of the net.

The Ivory Coast striker has scored four goals in cup competitions this season, but his effort on Sunday was only his second goal in the Premier League this campaign and his fourth in 2020.

Wilder’s side were suddenly all at sea and looked in danger of conceding again.

The hosts’ best chance came after 76 minutes, when substitute Rhian Brewster played a delightful ball behind the West Ham defence into the path of McBurnie.

The Scot’s first touch was good but, with the goal at his mercy and one-on-one with the goalkeeper, he snatched at the chance and blasted his effort against the crossbar.

It left the impression that it would not be the Blades’ day, and it proved to be the case as they slipped to another defeat.