West Ham and Brighton ended in a stifling 2-2 draw for both teams in a match that included three penalties, leaving them unable to move out of their winless situation until the end of 2025.
All three spot kicks were taken within the first 15 minutes of the first half, with Jarrod Bowen opening the scoring in the 10th minute and Lucas Paqueta’s smooth through ball leading to the goal.
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West Ham captain Jarrod Bowen scores against Brighton
Danny Welbeck converted the first penalty after Yankuba Minte was tripped by Max Kilman, but the Brighton striker was left with a headache five minutes later.
Brighton were awarded a second spot-kick minutes later when rugby player Paqueta tackled Lewis Dunk to the ground, but Welbeck’s Panenka shot bounced off the bar, sparking a scuffle as West Ham appeared to accuse West Ham of a lack of respect for the forward.
Danny Welbeck misses Panenka’s penalty to put Brighton 2-1 ahead
West Ham were then awarded a penalty themselves, adding to Welbeck’s agony. Callum Wilson’s shot hit Dunk’s arm and was not spotted on the field, but was sent to the monitor by VAR referee Stuart Attwell. Paqueta converted the ball and ended the game on a high note for his own half, who were in disarray.
All three penalties were undisputed for them, but there was some discussion after halftime as the momentum of the game continued. Brighton believed they should have been awarded the third penalty of the game when substitute Kaoru Mitoma was brought down by Bowen, but after consideration by VAR they elected not to award the penalty.
From the resulting corner kick, Brighton equalized anyway when Alphonse Areola palmed the ball out, and Joel Veltmann fired home from close range. West Ham wanted to give the goalkeeper a foul, but there was no clear foul to suggest he was obstructed.
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Brighton’s Joel Veltman scores after foul on West Ham keeper is overruled
Both sides had a chance to claim victory. Bowen had a good save from Bert Verbruggen, but Areola was matched by a smart shot from Mitoma and fellow substitute Georginio Rutter, who changed the game after both substitutes came on.
The result left West Ham without a win in eight games, but with Nottingham Forest’s loss to Everton leaving them six points in the balance. Brighton are also without a win in six games, so both teams are sure to have New Year’s resolutions.
More to come.
Look at all three penalties in the first half – including Welbeck’s Panenka mistake!
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Welbeck scores one penalty and misses another at Brighton
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West Ham take the lead at the end of the first half thanks to Lucas Paqueta’s penalty
