GRAHAM Potter returned to the Amex Stadium, hoping his West Ham team would put a hammer blow to Brighton’s European hopes. Yet, the Irons fell short in the last ten minutes, conceding two goals in quick succession to lose 3-2.
Reported LIVE by Jess Lee from The Amex.
STARTING XI…
HEAD TO HEAD…
Brighton Wins- 11
West Ham Wins- 11
Draws- 13.
HOW IT HAPPENED…
Both teams graced the field to a parade of fire flames and dustings of white and blue. A sunny day out on the South Coast lay ahead for both teams.
KICK OFF
Play started out pretty evenly, with each side gathering a feel for possession. Brighton quickly became more acquainted with the ball with a few successive attempts on goal.
13′ GOAL!
BRIGHTON 1-0 WEST HAM
A beautiful, outside-of-the-box, curling finish into the top right corner from Yasin Ayari sends the stands into ecstatics. Not even Areola at full stretch was keeping that one out.
15′
West Ham attempted the counter-attack after play resumed, only to be met by the stone wall of Brighton’s defence. The Seagulls have continued to dominate play since.
27′
West Ham found space out on the wider flanks; however, Brighton comfortably dealt with any crosses into the box.
31′ CHANCE!
Tipped onto the bar by Bart Verbruggen as a looping Tomas Soucek effort struggled to cross the line. West Ham gave away a free kick following the chance.
36′ DISALLOWED GOAL
Preceding a corner and a bout of ping-pong about the box, the ball rifled the back of the net. However, Simon Adingra was deemed offside by the linesman.
42′
West Ham seemed to be missing the final pass into the box, having used the wide space well to exploit play, yet Brighton’s rigid defence continued to clear the balls and set up some counter-attacks.
TWO ADDED MINUTES
HALF TIME- BRIGHTON 1-0 WEST HAM
The Seagulls left the field to an eruption of applause, whilst the south stand of away supporters echoed boos towards their team.
WEST HAM SUBSTITUTION
James Ward-Prowse OFF ⬅
Niclas Fulkrug ON ⮕
46′
Brighton returned from the dressing room with a spring in their step. A prominent press on the West Ham defence led to some decent chances on goal.
48′ GOAL!
BRIGHTON 1-1 WEST HAM
Kudus’ effort crept in slow motion towards the back of the net in a complete turnaround in play. The Hammers flooded forward with Bowen leading the charge, before slotting the ball towards Kudus to put away neatly through the keeper’s legs.
49′ CHANCE!
An excellent split-decision save from Areola denied Brighton from going ahead again, as well as the rifling rebounding shot. A corner followed suit.
59′ CHANCE
Lucas Paqueta drilled a hard shot towards the goal, excellently kept out by Verbruggen. A quick change in position was made as he originally perceived a cross into the box.
BRIGHTON SUBSTITUTIONS
Solly March OFF ⬅
Yankuba Minteh ON ⮕
Simon Adingra OFF ⬅
Kaoru Mitoma ON ⮕
70′
Brighton flocked forward with a multitude of chances. This rattled the West Ham defence with a clearance up the field giving them time to regather.
75′ CHANCE
The ball was pushed over the bar by Verbruggen. Chance following a free kick from West Ham placed into the penalty area.
BRIGHTON SUBSTITUTIONS
Jack Hinshelwood OFF ⬅
Diego Gomez ON ⮕
Matt O’Riley OFF ⬅
Brajan Gruda ON ⮕
82′ GOAL!
BRIGHTON 1-2 WEST HAM
A peach of a cross from Jarod Bowen comfortably met the head of Soucek who rocketed the ball past Verbruggen, firing West Ham into the lead. Chants of “Soucek, Soucek does it again” surveyed The Amex.
WEST HAM SUBSTITUTION
Emerson OFF ⬅
Vladimir Coufal ON ⮕
88′ GOAL!
BRIGHTON 2-2 WEST HAM
A quick turn in play from Brighton sees a header met by substitute Mitoma to draw the home side level. GAME ON.
THREE ADDED MINUTES
90+3′ GOAL
BRIGHTON 3-2 WEST HAM
Another excellent goal from Brighton saw Carlos Baleba whip the ball into the left side netting. Another unpressured AND unstoppable shot that left West Ham at a standstill. Brighton were confident in securing all three points.
FULL TIME
BRIGHTON 3-2 WEST HAM
MANAGER’S WORDS…
Graham Potter on his team’s performance…
“I’m not going to talk about the positives, no one cares about the positives.”
“I’m not a robot. I’m a human being as well. I stand there myself. I give everything to what I’m doing. Of course I’m going to be upset.”
“If you want me to swear, I can swear.”
Both teams remain set in place in the table, Brighton in 9th, West Ham in 17th.
Next up for West Ham is Tottenham at home whilst Brighton are set to face Newcastle back at The Amex on Saturday.
