Veltman earns Albion a point

Defender's first goal since May 2024 comes in a 2-2 draw against West Ham after Danny Welbeck scores a penalty but misses another.

Bruce Talbot

2025-12-30T21:25+00:00

Joel Veltman makes it 2-2 with his first goal since May 2024. 📷Paul Hazlewood

Albion twice came from behind to preserve their unbeaten record at the London Stadium on a chaotic night in the capital.

For only the second time in Premier League history three first-half penalties were awarded of a game. Danny Welbeck equalised Jarrod Bowen’s early opener with his eighth goal of the season but two minutes later hit a second spot-kick against the bar and Lucas Paqueta restored West Ham’s lead in stoppage time after Lewis Dunk had been penalised for handball.

Joel Veltman equalised with his first goal since May 2024 after a mistake by Alphonse Areola but the West Ham keeper was largely responsible for preserving their point with fine saves from substitutes Kaoru Mitoma and Georginio Rutter. It was a game Albion will feel they should have won.

Danny Welbeck equalises from the penalty spot. 📷Paul Hazlewood

It was a much-changed side with five alterations to the team which lost to Arsenal. Veltman started his first Premier League game since 27 September and James Milner made only his second league appearance of the season five days before his 40th birthday. Milner made his Premier League debut in November 2002, before seven of the players starting in the match were even born.

Albion clearly heeded Fabian Hurzeler’s plea for a faster start. Maxim De Cuyper was involved in a great move in the sixth minute when his cross from the left was headed goalwards by Yankuba Minteh, who forced Areola to make a sprawling save. Diego Gomez ought to have at least worked the West Ham keeper moments later when he had time and space inside the box but fired well over.

But West Ham took the lead from their first attack in the ninth minute. Paqueta’s pass forward was perfectly weighted for Bowen to run onto, get goal side of Jan Paul van Hecke and slot beyond Bart Verbruggen.

A high five from Joel Veltman for Danny Welbeck after he scores his eighth goal of the season. 📷Paul Hazlewood

Albion got back in it on 32 minutes. Max Kilman’s clumsy challenge ended Minteh’s mazy run in the box for an obvious spot kick and Welbeck sent Areola the wrong way as he found the bottom left corner.

A couple of minutes later Paqueta wrestled Lewis Dunk to the ground as they contested a free kick for another clear penalty. Areola again went the wrong way but Welbeck’s Panenka down the middle came back off the crossbar, and he was unable to volley in the rebound.

The drama wasn’t over. In the final minute of the first half Callum Wilson’s shot struck Dunk high on the arm and, after being sent to the monitor by VAR Stuart Attwell, referee Salisbury changed his decision and awarded the third penalty of the half which Paqueta expertly rolled into the corner as Verbruggen dived the other way.

Lewis Dunk is brought down by Lucas Paqueta for Albion's second penalty. 📷Paul Hazlewood

Kaoru Mitoma came on 12 minutes into the second half and when he won a corner on the hour Albion levelled. Areola flapped at Ferdi Kadioglu’s inswinger and Veltman had an easy tap in from three yards.

Verbruggen made a fine save to keep out Bowen’s header and Yasin Ayari tested Areola from the edge of the box before volleying over when he had time to line up his shot. Albion were pressing for the winner and when Mitoma aimed for the far corner Areola made a fine save at full stretch. The Hammers’ keeper was at it again with ten minutes to go when he brilliantly kept out Georginio Rutter’s powerful drive. Albion kept pushing and Ayari’s late fizzer was inches off target. A point it was.

Danny Welbeck watches in disbelief as his second penalty hits the bar. 📷Paul Hazlewood

Albion: Verbruggen, Veltman, Dunk, van Hecke, De Cuyper (Mitoma 57), Kadioglu, Minteh (Gruda 57), Ayari, Milner (Hinshelwood 72), Gomez (Rutter 72), Welbeck (Kostoulas 83).