Top six hopes fade and die at Brighton

West Ham were well beaten by Brighton on the final day of the Premier League season, bringing to an end any hopes of a top-six finish.

The Hammers knew that a win on the final day would give them a realistic chance of qualifying for the Europa League, although they would also need Manchester United to drop points.

United did lose to Crystal Palace on the final day thanks to a Wilfried Zaha goal, and the Hammers appeared set for a top-six finish when Mikey Antonio scored a brilliant goal on the stroke of half-time.

The Jamaica international managed to turn and hold off Lewis Dunk before smashing an effort into the top corner.

But the Irons simply wilted in the sunshine in the second half.

Joel Veltman brought Brighton level in the 50th minute, shooting from just inside the box and seeing his effort squirm under goalkeeper Lukasz Fabianski.

Danny Welbeck had a chance to make it 2-1 just after the hour mark but his effort whistled narrowly past the post.

Pascal Gross was the player to do it, as he scored a very similar goal to Antonio, turning brilliantly and smashing an effort into the top corner.

And Welbeck then scored a third in injury time, as he was given the freedom of the city to score a header from 10 yards out.

A woeful goal to concede that just about summed the afternoon up.