West Ham 1 Brighton 1
The Seagulls maintained their unbeaten record against the Hammers in their second consecutive draw.
They left it rather late – and had only 10 players on the pitch – when Neil Maupay atoned for previous misses by equalising with a spectacular overhead kick.
West Ham had taken an early lead when Robert Sanchez failed to get to a corner and Tomas Soucek headed home.
It all turned on another “ goal” ruled out by VAR for offside.
Sanchez does not look comfortable on crosses but is a fine shot stopper, repelling a fierce drive of Declan Rice.
New boy Ecuadorean Jeremy Samiento was injured and later Adam Webster and Adam Lallana came off, the latter after three substitutions were already made, leaving only ten players on the pitch.
Surprisingly Graham Potter chose Veltman ahead of Lamptey.
Lamptey is so exciting on the ball with his pace and always seems to galvanise the team.
He was one of the subs and provided the cross for Maupay’s equaliser.
Brighton’s problem continues to be scoring. Hopefully they can address this in the January window.
Ferguson has been scoring for fun in youth games but at 17 his debut may be too early whilst there are hopes that the Belgian feeder club that Tony Bloom owns and chairs might produce a striker.
Graham Potter made his feelings clear after the booing in the Leeds game (0-0) last Saturday.
Given we are eighth – and above Spurs, Manchester United, Everton and Leeds – it’s been our most successful Premiership season to date and the Seagulls play fluid football that is easy on the eye.
