West Ham and Brighton will be equal parts disappointed and happy to have earned a point apiece in a 1-1 draw at London Stadium on Saturday.
WATCH – West Ham vs Brighton full match replay
The goals came in quick succession early in the second half, as Mats Wieffer and Mohammed Kudus scored from the first two real chances of the game. The sides combined for all of 0.41 xG on 5 shots in the first half, so it was a relief when Brighton took the lead in the 51st minute, forcing West Ham to chase an equalizer. And, chase they did. Jarrod Bowen was denied on a blistering couner-attack, but Kudus followed up and headed home the rebound.
Brighton better balanced, but have they lost their edge?
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If I say Brighton, you say fun. Dollar-for-dollar, there wasn’t a better watch in the Premier League than Roberto De Zerbi’s Brighton. They pressed, they took insane risk with the ball and they quickly became everyone’s favorite neutral team to watch. It took them as high as 6th in the Premier League and the round of 16 in the Europa League. Their philosophy was clear as day and teams hundreds of millions of dollars more expensive struggled to cope with them on a regular basis. Nearly six months on from De Zerbi’s departure, Brighton are missing everything that made them successful and it’s not entirely clear what new manager Fabian Huerzler is trying to do tactically. Maybe it’s an overreaction given their recent slide (winless in 5 games with just 6 goals scored), but Brighton superhero status feels long gone and now they are simply just another vaguely familiar face in the crowd.
Player ratings - West Ham vs Brighton
What’s next?
- Southampton vs West Ham — Thursday, 10 am ET (Boxing Day)
- Brighton vs Brentford — Friday, 2:30 pm ET
How to watch West Ham vs Brighton live, stream link and start time
Kick off time: 10am ET Saturday
Venue: London Stadium — London
TV Channel: Peacock Premium
Streaming: Premier League on Peacock
West Ham vs Brighton live updates - by Andy Edwards
West Ham vs Brighton final score: 1-1
Goalscorers: Mats Wieffer (51'), Mohammed Kudus (58')
GOAL! West Ham 1-1 Brighton: Kudus cleans up Bowen’s counter (58')
GOAL! West Ham 0-1 Brighton: Wieffer calmly slots the rebound home through traffic (51')
West Ham starting lineup
Fabianski - Wan-Bissaka, Mavropanos, Kilman, Emerson - Alvarez, Soucek, Paqueta - Bowen, Kudus, Fullkrug
Brighton starting lineup
Verbruggen - Veltman, Van Hecke, Dunk, Estupinan - Baleba, Wieffer, Rutter - Gruda, Mitoma, Pedro
The Irons have beaten Wolves and drawn Bournemouth to give Julen Lopetegui a bit more solid footing, but there are false dawns on record for the Spanish boss in London and a win here would feel like a terrific stabilizing agent for his project.
Brighton were in fourth place on Nov. 29 but have not won any of their last four outings in the Premier League, drawing Southampton and Leicester while slipping to defeats against Fulham and rivals Crystal Palace. This is the first real crisis point in Fabian Hurzeler’s tenure at the Amex Stadium. The Seagulls weren’t immune to dry spells under Roberto De Zerbi —it’s easy to forget how they fell apart last season — and need to stop this slide in its tracks.
West Ham team news, focus
Star forward Jarrod Bowen has been looking brighter and brighter, more capable of producing big numbers. His four goals and four assists this Premier League season are a bit of misfortune and a bit of new system. When he’s at full volume, West Ham are a different force.
OUT: Michail Antonio (DETAILS), Carlos Soler (suspension) | QUESTIONABLE: Jean-Clair Todibo (groin)
Brighton team news, focus
Danny Welbeck has been limited to 19 minutes over the past three fixtures and did not play at all in the two losses. His return would be so helpful as Evan Ferguson is yet to find his form.
OUT: Danny Welbeck (ankle), James Milner (thigh) | QUESTIONABLE: Ferdi Kadioglu (toe), Solly March (knee), Jack Hinshelwood (knee), Adam Webster (hamstring)
West Ham vs Brighton prediction
The Seagulls have too much attacking talent and are a threat in every game, and will be heartened by the 29 shots attempted by Bournemouth in their Monday draw with West Ham. Until the Irons get more clinical with their chances or Niclas Fullkrug is able to start games in full health, it’s difficult to bet on them winning against decent opposition (especially opposition with Kaoru Mitoma and Joao Pedro). West Ham 1-1 Brighton.
