Alphonse Areola was the Hammers top man as the lads hung on for a point. The French keeper made a series of top saves in a game where we were second best.
Areola top man as Hammers hang on for a point
The match didn’t truly wake up until the second half when the visitors took control as the Irons became more and more passive in the face of some relentless Albion attacking.
The upside was that the Hammers remained in sixth place after keeping their fourth successive clean sheet,
Areola top man as Hammers hang on for a point
The Hammers made a slow start and it wasn’t until the 25th minute that Emerson had our first shot which went wide of the near post.
Three minutes late Bowen saw a fine shot turned into the upright by Brighton keeper Steele but the effort was ruled offside. Ward Prowse was the next to try his luck but once again Steele saved.
Benrahma – not selected by Algeria for Afcon – saw his shot fly wide before Brighton’s Buon A Notte fired over the bar from 30 yards.
But three minutes from half time the visitors had the best chance of the game when Milner crossed brilliantly whose close range header was superbly saved by Areola
Welbeck had a fine chance early in the second half when he saw a fierce shot saved by Areola before Milner fired over the bar.
West Ham’s first chance of the second half came a few minutes later but Fornals’ tame shot was easily collected but the best chance of game arrived seconds later when Areola save well from Buonanotte.
The game had opened right up and the Hammers should have been in front when Soucek spurned a great chance in front of goal, shooting wide.
It was a very end to end affair and another opportunity went begging when substitute Ferguson was inches away from putting Albion ahead but his shot was just wide.
Albion were finishing the game with a flourish and de Pedro was close when he just failed to get a touch to a fine cross with only Areola to beat.
Substitute Lallana had the final chance of the game hammering in a fierce shot – Brighton’s 16th of the half – but Areola again rescued the Irons with a good save.
We just defended a nil nil. No shots second half? Just one sub again. Just boot it up to Mubama? Our young players must be thinking how can we sign for Brighton, and who can blame them?