Match verdict by Hughie Southon

It’s been 21 years since a David Moyes team managed that has beaten Brighton – that one being Preston North End although it looked for a brief bright moment today as though the tide had come in for him on the south coast!

That it didn’t happen – after a truly magnificent goal from Mikey – was probably down to a variety of circumstances – tiredness, clever management at halftime by Graham P:otter and maybe Moyesie being a tad conservative in his use of subs.

The same final point is made on the CandH Facebook forum by follower Brendan Cronmin who said he was disappointed Moyes didn’t bring Noble on for Soucek earlier as he was obviously well off the pace. Potter made early substitutions and they made a difference.

(Photo by Matthew Lewis/Getty Images)

That’s a really good point because the introduction of Neal Moupay alongside Danny Welbeck gave Brighton a twin threat that paid immediate dividends when Veltman popped up to squirm a shot under Fabianski straight after the break.

Ok it should have been saved but the goal turned the match and the pair were on our case for most of the second half as a result.

After the massive effort last week against Man City the Hammers tank looked almost empty and after such a tiring season this was to prove a match too far.

On a day when Palace did their bit against United at Selhurst Park we really should have been on it from the first moment – we weren’t and in the end we paid a heavy price.

I’m loathe to criticise the boss after the season he has given us but I do feel that Nobes should have been brought on at half time.  The man hasn’t let us down all season and from what I’ve seen of late he may be retiring a season too early.

The rebuilding needs to start immediately with a Conference campaign which will take us into the furthest reaches of Europe against some nothing teams assuming we make it into the competition from the play offs.

It could be fun or it could be a hindrance but for now all one can say is well done to Moysie and his backroom team plus a group of lads who have given us everything they have this term

Thanks boss, thanks lads – have a very well earned rest!

Nobes thank you for everything – to you in particular we wish nothing but the very best!