Following a 3-1 victory against Chelsea, West Ham exhibited a skillful blend of defensive prowess and attacking finesse to upset Brighton, halting their flawless season beginning. The Hammers displayed a masterful balance between defense and attack, propelling them to a commanding victory on the southern coast. The match started with James Ward-Prowse capitalizing on an Aaron Webster mistake, while Jarrod Bowen doubled the lead with an impressive counter-attack goal. Michail Antonio then powered through to secure a third goal, and although Pascal Gross handed Roberto De Zerbi’s previously impeccable side a glimmer of hope for a comeback, David Moyes’ squad remained resolute under pressure, with Alphonse Areola making nine crucial saves.
This triumph propelled West Ham to the top of the Premier League standings, surpassing Tottenham due to a superior goal difference, marking only the eighth day in their history that they held this position.
Remembered for their 4-0 defeat in this fixture last season, which Declan Rice referred to as “demoralizing,” West Ham arrived this time with confidence, bolstered by a summer European trophy win. Despite Rice’s departure, the team made judicious use of funds by acquiring Ward-Prowse, who not only tallied two assists on his debut against Chelsea but also contributed a goal in this match.
Antonio instigated an error on the flank by the shaky Webster, leading to Ward-Prowse seizing the opportunity on the second attempt.
Brighton, initially dynamic and potent in attack during their first two matches, continuously encountered resistance from West Ham’s formidable structure, leading to growing frustration in the first half.
The second half saw Evan Ferguson challenging Areola with a stellar shot, setting the tone, yet West Ham remained a formidable threat on the counter, and their lead grew to two goals on the 58th minute with a mesmerizing display. Bowen sprinted 82 yards to join a Said Benrahma-led counter-attack down the left, expertly receiving the latter’s cross-field pass with a delicate touch before slotting the ball into the far corner.
Brighton’s struggle to balance defense and attack left them exposed, and Antonio sealed West Ham’s victory just six minutes later. His speed and power proved too much for Webster once again, as he confidently dispatched a precise finish into the distant corner, sending the Hammers into a state of euphoria.
Brighton, despite enjoying 79 percent of possession but failing to replicate their typical chance creation, mounted a late surge. Gross executed a superb finish with 10 minutes remaining, injecting energy into the crowd. However, Areola’s unwavering resolve saw him making saves from Lewis Dunk and Ferguson, while Danny Ings was also alert enough to clear one off the line.
As the final whistle blew, chants of “Champions of Europe, we know what we are” echoed among the away fans, who reveled in not only their team’s victory but also their ascent to the top spot in the standings.
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