West Ham dropped into the relegation zone as they squandered a two goal lead TWICE to draw 3-3 with fellow strugglers Brighton at the London Stadium. The result, coupled with Bournemouth’s 2-1 win at home against Aston Villa, pushed David Moyes’ men into the bottom three ahead of a tough set of fixtures for the club- 6 of their next 7 are against Man City, Liverpool, Arsenal, Wolves, Spurs and Chelsea.

Here are our talking points from West Ham’s 3-3 draw against Graham Potter’s men in Game Week 25.

Tomas Soucek impressive on debut: Czech midfielder Tomas Soucek was thrown into action straightaway today, and he impressed on debut. He played the furthest of West Ham’s three central midfielders in what appeared to be a 4-1-4-1 formation, and at times, almost looked like he was partnering Seb Haller as part of a duo upfront.

Didn’t shy away from the physical stuff, and very nearly got a debut goal early in the game, but Brighton keeper Mat Ryan did very well to save his header. Did a good pressing job in the first half too and played 85 minutes before being replaced. All in all, a more than satisfactory debut for the 24 year-old, and Hammers fans will be keen to see more of him in the future.

Masuaku substitution hurts West Ham: With Michail Antonio having run himself into the ground, David Moyes was left with no option but to bring him off, but his decision to bring Arthur Masuaku and play a more defensive system backfired. It was his botched clearance that lead to the mess that eventually resulted in Brighton’s second goal and his impact unfortunately seemed to mirror the Arsenal game, where West Ham lead 1-0 at the time of his introduction into the fixture, but ended up losing 3-1. [Read more…]

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…]