Match Reports

Report: Albion 3 West Ham United 1

By Alex Stedman • 03 February 2018

  • Glenn Murray gives Seagulls early lead
  • Jose Izquierdo scores second-half stunner to make it 2-1
  • Pascal Gross nets a third as Albion do double over Hammers
  • Albion secure first Premier League win of 2018

Brighton & Hove Albion recorded a fantastic 3-1 win against West Ham United at the Amex Stadium on Saturday afternoon.

Glenn Murray had handed the Albion an eighth-minute lead in the first half, but his well-taken effort was cancelled out by Javier Hernandez on the half hour mark. 

Jose Izquierdo put the Seagulls back in front just before the hour mark with an outstanding curling finish into the top corner, before Pascal Gross’s stylish effort gave the Seagulls a two-goal advantage and all three points.

Chris Hughton made one change to the side that drew 1-1 with Southampton at St Mary’s on Wednesday evening with Anthony Knockaert replacing Solly March on Albion’s right.

David Moyes named an unchanged side for the visitors who drew 1-1 with Crystal Palace on Tuesday but there was a space on the Hammers’ bench for deadline day arrival Jordan Hugill

The Seagulls began on the front foot and took the lead after eight minutes. 

A quick counter attack saw Knockaert find  Gross in the centre – and the German’s intelligent through ball found Murray and the forward advanced towards goal and calmly slotted under Adrian as an excellent advantage was played after Knockaert was brought down byAaron Cresswell, who was booked, in the build-up.

Knockaert then fired over when off balance as Albion remained camped in the West Ham half, before Murray saw a shot from the edge of the area blocked after a neat exchange between Gross, Izquierdo and the striker.

Sam Byram’s header was scrambled away by the Seagulls after a dangerous cross by Cresswell, but the visitors drew level on the half hour.

Mark Noble’s driven pass was firmly into the feet of Javier Hernandez, who weaved his way past home defenders before firing into the top corner.

Cresswell provided another dangerous delivery five minutes before the interval, but Joao Mario’s extended leg couldn’t make contact with the cross, before Byram’s header at the far post went well over the bar.

Lewis Dunk picked up Albion’s first yellow card of the game shortly after the restart for a late challenge on Hernandez and Murray’s cutback couldn’t find a Seagulls shirt as the half began in an equally competitive nature. 

But the Seagulls were soon back in front just before the hour mark – and in some style. 

There didn’t appear to be much danger on when Izquierdo picked up possession on the edge of the area after a corner by Gross had sailed to the back post, but the Colombian winger took aim superbly and curled a delightful finish into the top corner to put the hosts back ahead.

Michael Antonio then came on in place of Declan Rice as the visitors made their first change of the afternoon, and Gross headed over after a marauding run and cross from Schelotto. 

Murray was withdrawn for Leonardo Ulloa with just under 20 minutes left, as the Argentine striker received a standing ovation as he entered the field on his return to the Amex Stadium. 

A wonderfully worked move between Ulloa, Izquierdo and Gross ended in the latter’s shot deflecting narrowly wide for a corner, before the German fired Albion into a two-goal lead soon after.

Davy Propper’s well-weighted pass was slick and into the feet of the midfielder, and Gross turned stylishly before firing an unstoppable shot past Adrian and into the far corner to give the hosts a more comfortable advantage.

Knockaert was replaced by Solly March in Albion’s second change, and the midfielder was straight into the action as he found Gross in-behind – but his shot was tipped away by Adrian.

West Ham’s deadline day arrival  Hugill then came on in place of Byram for the visitors’ second change, before Beram Kayal replaced Gross with seven minutes left to play. 

There was still time for both Ulloa and March to go close as the latter fired agonisingly over from close range but that was the last action of the afternoon as the home side saw out the remainder of the contest to secure a vital three points and their first Premier League win of 2018.

Albion line-up: Ryan, Schelotto, Duffy, Dunk ©, Bong, Knockaert (March 78), Stephens, Propper, Izquierdo; Gross (Kayal 83); Murray (Ulloa 72).

Subs not used: Krul, Bruno, Goldson, Baldock.

West Ham United line-up: Adrian; Byram (Hugill 80), Zabaleta, Ogbonna, Rice (Antonio 65), Collins, Cresswell; Noble ©, Kouyate, Mario, Hernandez.

Subs not used: Hart, Reid, Fonte, Haksabanovic, Cullen.

Attendance: 30,589 (away 2,990)

WEST HAM UNITED LOTTERY RESULTS

1ST PRIZE £1000 151447
2ND PRIZE       149014
3RD PRIZE       149249
4TH PRIZE       151947
5TH PRIZE       152999

ALBION HAT TRICK

1ST £600 4002
2ND £50  1536
3RD £25  1975

1ST GOAL TIME 8 MINS