A L B I O N R E P O R T - ( xviii )
2 JANUARY 2024 -
WEST HAM UNITED 0 BRIGHTON & HOVE ALBION 0
PREMIER LEAGUE - at the LONDON STADIUM, EAST LONDON.
For their first game in 2024 the Albion made the short trip to East London to meet West Ham United in the Premier at the London Stadium, "live" in front of the Sky Sports cameras and broadcast over the airwaves on Talksport and BBC Radio Sussex Sport.
In their previous game, the Albion had demolished Tottenham Hotspur 4-2 in the Premier at the Amex on the 28 December 2023 and for the visit to West Ham, Albion made two changes to their starting line-up from the Tottenham game, with Adam Webster and Pervis Estupinan coming in for Lewis Dunk (suspended) and Igor Julio (injured).
Last time out West Ham had gained an excellent 2-0 win at Arsenal in the Premier on the 28 December 2023 and for Albion's visit Manager David Moyes made three changes to his starting line-up from that game, with Ben Johnson, Pablo Fornals and Said Benrahma replacing Vladimir Coufal (unwell), Mohamed Kudus (international duty) and Lucas Paqueta (injured).
Last season Albion did the double over the Hammers in the Premier, winning 2-0 at the London Stadium on the 21 August 2022, with Albion's goals being scored by Alexis Mac Allister, penalty (22m) and Leandro Trossard (66m). Subsequently at the Amex on the 4 March 2023 the Seagulls beat West Ham 4-0 with the goals coming from Alexis Mac Allister, penalty (18m), Joel Veltman (52m), Kaoru Mitoma (69m) and Danny Welbeck (89m).
Earlier this season West Ham beat the Albion 3-1 at the Amex on the 26 August 2023, with their goals being scored by James Ward-Prowse (19m), Jarrod Bowen (58m) and Michail Antonio (63m). Pascal Gross (86m) netted Albion's consolation. It was the Hammers first win over the Albion in thirteen Premier League meetings.
A quiet start by both teams but it was Facundo Buonanotte who had the first attempt at goal his shot from distance was easily held by Hammers keeper Alphonse Areola, Next it was the turn of Albion goalkeeper Jason Steele to spring into action when keeping out efforts from Jarrod Bowen and James Ward-Prowse. Then Pascal Gross's precisiion free-kick found Jack Hinshelwood but the youngster's close-range shot was deflected by keeper Areola and just before the break James Milner's precise cross found Gross whose header was straight at Areola, who saved with ease. A lack-lustre first-half with the Seagulls creating, but not taking the chances they made.
Half-time 0-0.
Albion's appeals for a penalty against Emerson Palmeira soon after the restart for handball in the area were rejected by Referee Sam Barrott. The Seagulls squandered another good hance on 54 minutes when Danny Welbeck's shot from twelve yards out
produced a fine save by keeper Areola and minutes later the Hammers keeper excelled in keeping out an effort from Joao Pedro. West Ham's Tomas Soucek then side-footed a good chance wide from Said Benrahma's cross. Albion then took complete control of the proceedings but efforts by substitute Evan Ferguson, Gross, substitute Adam Lallana (twice), substitute Jakub Moder and Hinshelwood were either saved by Areola or flew wide of the target. The game ended with West Ham hanging on for a draw.
Final-score 0-0.
Match stats:
Albion had 22 attempts at goal, with 8 on target and won 0 corners, free-kicks conceded - 6.
West Ham had 6 attempts at goal, with 2 on target and won 2 corners, free-kicks conceded - 4.
TO SUM UP -
A low key affair at the London Stadium saw the Albion throw away two more Premier League points. The goal attempts stat tells the story, Albion 22 West Ham 6. The Seagulls Premier League unbeaten run at the London Stadium continues. It was also Albion's first clean sheet of the season.
Albion line-up (4-3-1-2):- Jason Steele; Jack Hinshelwood, Adam Webster (Jakub Moder 74), Jan Paul Van Hecke, Pervis Estupinan; Pascal Gross (Capt), Billy Gilmour, Facundo Buonanotte (Adam Lallana 74); James Milner; Danny Welbeck (Evan Ferguson 67), Joao Pedro.
Subs not used: Bart Verbruggen (G/K), Mahmoud Dahoud, Carlos Baleba, Imari Samuels, Benicio Baker-Boaltey, Leigh Kavanagh.
West Ham United line-up (4-2-3-1):- Alphonse Areola; Ben Johnson, Konstantinos Mavropanos, Angelo Ogbonna, Emerson Palmieri; Edson Alvarez, Tomas Soucek; Pablo Fornals, James Ward-Prowse, Said Behrahma (Divin Mubama 73); Jarrod Bowen.
Subs not used: Lukasz Fabianski (G/K), Aaron Cresswell, Maxwel Cornet, Danny Ings, Conor Coventry, Kaelan Casey, Laing, Lewis Orford.
Referee: Samuel Barrott (Yorkshire).
Yellow Card: West Ham United: 1 - Ben Johnson.
Possession: Albion - 68%. West Ham - 32%.
BBC Sport Player of the Match: Billy Gilmour (Albion).
Attendance: 62462.
FORTHCOMING FIXTURES:
6 JANUARY 2024 - STOKE CITY - away - Emirates FA Cup, Third- won 4-2
22 JANUARY 2024 - WOLVERHAMPTON WANDERERS - home -
Premier League - kick-off 19.45. "Live" on TNT Sports.
Jack Kaye.
5 January 2024.