Another Draw At Brighton

Nuno Espírito Santo is still without an away win since being confirmed as Graham Potter’s successor at West Ham United after a controversial VAR decision denied the Hammers all three points against Brighton and Hove Albion at The American Express Stadium on Sunday afternoon.

Due to the time they had to prepare between games this week, the Head-Coach made four changes to the side that earnt the 1-1 draw at Manchester United just three days earlier, as Max Kilman, Crysencio Summerville and Lucas Paquetá were all restored to the starting line-up, while Guido Rodríguez started for the first time since the 3-0 opening day defeat at Sunderland. Freddie Potts, Tomáš Souček, Soungoutou Magassa and Callum Wilson all dropped to the bench.

Youngster Ezra Mayers was once again included in the matchday squad, as he was for the 3-1 victory over Newcastle United at the start of November.

The Hammers dug deep for their point at Old Trafford and they had to do the same here with the Seagulls starting well but thankfully unable to fashion a clear chance in the opening stages.

Momentum soon swung in their favour though and with thirteen minutes gone, Paquetá set up Summerville, but his shot was saved by home goalkeeper Bart Verbruggen. However, had the Dutchman not got anything on the attempt, it would not have counted, as the winger was offside.

The tactics that Espírito Santo had employed for this game seemed to be working, as the home side tried to find a way through but fortunately, Jean-Clair Todibo was in the right place to block.

The Irons were clearly the better side by this stage and offered something of a threat going forward. Mateus Fernandes could have set up El Hadji Malick Diouf but when the Senegalese international received the ball from the former Southampton midfielder, he only found the side-netting.

Although the East Londoners were dominating much of the contest, when Fabian Hürzeler’s side did have the chance, they crucially wasted it. Maxim De Cuyper sent over a cross for Mats Wieffer to get on the end of. He did but to the relief of the travelling support, he failed to beat visiting goalkeeper Alphonse Areola.

The pressure was all coming from West Ham, as the first-half was drawing to a close with three chances going their way but they were however unable to capitalise. Lucas Paquetá’s well-struck shot brought a brilliant save out of Verbruggen, before Summerville was in a great position but made a hash of finishing his chance off. The phase of play then ended with both team captains thwarting each other, as Lewis Dunk slid in on Jarrod Bowen to prevent him from opening the scoring.

After one minute of stoppage time was signalled by the fourth official, referee Simon Hooper then brought an end to the first-half with anyone yet to get a grip of the game.

The East Londoners continued from where they had left off before the break. Diouf was picked out by Aaron Wan-Bissaka but he once again missed the target. Minutes later, the ball found itself behind Verbruggen’s goal once more, as Konstantinos Mavropanos couldn’t apply the telling touch after meeting a clever free-kick from Fernandes.

The visitors kept pushing and it was only down to a stunning double save from Verbruggen that meant the game remained goalless, as Bowen and Summerville again tried their luck.

The Irons made their first change just after the hour mark, as Rodríguez was withdrawn to allow Potts to enter the fray.

With seventy three minutes gone, Brighton were made to pay by missing a chance at their end when Bowen scored at the other.

After Espírito Santo had just sent on Wilson to take the place of Summerville and as he often does, he made the impact that the Portuguese was looking for but, in truth, nobody was expecting the former Coventry City, AFC Bournemouth and Newcastle United striker to do it as quickly as he did here.

He took possession away from Jan Paul van Hecke and raced towards goal, beating the home side’s defence on the way. Wilson then spotted his skipper and unselfishly gave him the chance to beat Verbruggen. Bowen gladly accepted the invitation and made no mistake when he sent the ball into the net and in so doing, sparking pandemonium from those in the away end.

The home side who had not shown much so far in the contest were suddenly in need of an equaliser but Areola was determined not to be beaten. The Frenchman managed to deal with the danger after a cross from Wieffer had taken a deflection off Kilman.

The majority inside the stadium saw their side apply more pressure when the passage of play had broken down before both Charalampos Kostoulas and Georginio Rutter picked up the pieces and combined but fortunately for the away side, nothing came from the move.

The visiting Head-Coach made use of his final three substitutions in the last eight minutes of normal time. Mayers was finally given the chance to make his Premier League debut, while Souček and Magassa were also introduced for Paquetá, Diouf and Fernandes.

Just as six minutes had been added on before the end of the game, the Seagulls cruelly snatched a point from the jaws of defeat, as Rutter scored at the second attempt after Areola had initially made a good save. The travelling support were delighted when they saw the decision go to VAR, but the officials on duty allowed the goal to stand when their was clear evidence on television replays of handball.

Not only that, but they had also failed to spot the fact that a high boot had made contact with the head of Mavropanos in the build-up to the goal. This was not even deemed as dangerous play and a full complement of Brighton players remained on the pitch.

The East Londoners might still have stolen their advantage back when Mavropanos had a golden chance in the dying embers of the encounter but, as he did earlier in the match, the Greek defender headed wide.

The travelling support headed away from Sussex having a familiar feeling of déjà vu. Hopefully their team will pick up a much-needed three points this Sunday when they host Aston Villa and send their fans home in positive mood ahead of the festive season.