West Ham’s first away game of the new 2019/20 Premier League season saw Manuel Pellegrini’s side draw 1-1 with Brighton and Hove Albion at the Amex Stadium. Javier Hernandez put the visitors ahead just after the hour mark, only for debutant Leandro Trossard to equalise four minutes later for Albion.

Here are our talking points from the game.

Angelo Ogbonna into the starting lineup and appointed captain: Manuel Pellegrini was clearly upset with the performances of some of his players against Man City. Aaron Cresswell, captain for the season opener, went out of the 18 altogether today, with Arthur Masuaku replacing him at left back.

Another surprising omission was that of Fabian Balbuena, with Pellegrini drafting Angelo Ogbonna into the XI at the expense of the Paraguayan and also handing him the armband.

Sebastien Haller and Felipe Anderson were both injury enforced absentees, with Michail Antonio the fifth player to be axed.

Brighton remain unbeaten under Anthony Taylor: We had noticed before the game that Brighton had never lost a Premier League game with Anthony Taylor as referee. That record stayed intact today. [Read more…]

Manuel Pellegrini will be hoping to become the first West Ham manager in the Premier League era to win a top flight game away at Brighton when the two sides square off today afternoon at the Amex. The Hammers were well beaten 5-0 by Man City on the opening day of the season (6th consecutive year when their opening fixture was against top six opposition), while Brighton stunned Javi Gracia’s Watford 3-0 at Vicarage Road.

It’s new Seagulls manager Graham Potter’s first home game in Sussex this afternoon, and he will be keen to continue from where his side left last weekend. Given that BHAFC have been a bit of a bogey team for West Ham over the last few years, Potter will be cautiously confident going into this clash. His task will certainly be made easier if the key Hammers duo of Felipe Anderson and Sebastien Haller, both suffering from knocks, do not recover in time for this fixture.

Let’s take a look at what TV and media pundits have predicted for this Brighton v Hammers clash

Mark Lawrenson: Lawro “expects a reaction” from West Ham after their loss to City at home, and has gone for a 1-1 draw here.

The referee for this game is Anthony Taylor, under whom Brighton have never lost a Premier League game. All but one of BHAFC’s PL fixtures under him have ended in draws though.

His celeb opponent this weekend, swimmer Adam Peaty, reckons this will be a goalless stalemate, and has predicted a 0-0. It’s the only game out of the ten this weekend in which Peaty doesn’t expect goals to be scored.

Charlie Nicholas: Nicholas says West Ham were punished for “turning up scared” against Man City. He however expects Manuel Pellegrini’s men to bounce back this weekend, and has gone for a 1-0 win to the Hammers. [Read more…]

Anthony Taylor has been appointed as the referee for West Ham’s GW2 clash at the Amex this weekend against Brighton and Hove Albion. Interestingly though, the Seagulls have never lost a Premier League game when Taylor’s been in charge.

Brighton and Hove Albion- Premier League games refereed by Anthony Taylor

Arsenal 1-1 Brighton (2018/19)
Brighton 1-1 Arsenal (2018/19)
Brighton 1-0 Wolves (2018/19)
Southampton 2-2 Brighton (2018/19)
Brighton 1-1 Huddersfield (2017/18)
Newcastle 0-0 Brighton (2017/18)

In Game Week 1, Taylor was given the blockbuster United-Chelsea clash at Old Trafford, which the home side won 4-0.

West Ham had themselves lost five in a row away from home across all competitions under Taylor until Michail Antonio’s goal against Spurs in April saw them break that losing run and become the first visiting team to win at the London Stadium.

West Ham under Anthony Taylor (last six away games- all competitions)

Tottenham 0-1 West Ham (April 2019)
Wimbledon 4-2 West Ham (January 2019, Cup)
Liverpool 4-0 West Ham (August 2018)
Leicester 1-0 West Ham (December 2016)
Everton 2-0 West Ham (October 2016)
Chelsea 2-1 West Ham (August 2016) [Read more…]