Soucek’s goal, Coufal back in the lineup and a great scissors. West Ham draw at home to Brighton

West Ham failed to win their first game of December, drawing 1-1 at home against Brighton. Tomáš Souček and Neal Maupay scored goals and Vladimír Coufal returned to the Hammers line-up.

West Ham struck from their first chance of the game. Pablo Fornals’ corner was cleared into the net by Tomas Soucek. In the ninth minute, the Spanish midfielder was looking to get on the scoresheet, but this time his attempt was smothered by Robert Sanchez.

In the 16th minute, the visitors responded, but Leandro Trossard hit the wall from a direct kick. In the 28th minute, the active Fornals rang the crossbar, a superb volley just missing the target.

Brighton had two more chances to equalise before half-time. First Jakub Moder’s effort was saved by Lukasz Fabianski in a Polish scrum, and from the ensuing corner Lewis Dunk headed just wide.

Dunk opened the second half as he closed the first with an unsuccessful header, this time into the middle of the goal. Michail Antonio then stepped up, but after a two-minute VAR review, his goal was called back.

The Seagulls were more active after the change of sides, but were creaking at the end. In the 69th minute, Neal Maupay’s shot was inaccurate. Declan Rice had the final three-pointer in the 80th minute, but Sanchez flashed an excellent save.

Just when it looked like Brighton were going to come away empty handed, Maupay leapt into the air and gave Fabianski no chance with a superb scissor-kick. West Ham didn’t convert the final pressure into a goal, taking just a point for a 1-1 draw.

Source: Premier Sport 2