Georginio Rutter scored a stoppage-time equaliser to rescue a point for Brighton against West Ham at the Amex Stadium. Jarrod Bowen had put the visitors ahead after a swift counter-attack, but Rutter's late goal ensured a share of the spoils.
West Ham manager Nuno Espirito Santo employed a low block strategy, frustrating Brighton's creativity. Bowen's goal was supplied by substitute Callum Wilson, who had been on the pitch for just 51 seconds. 'We did so much to get into the lead,' Bowen said. 'But we sat back too far and invited the pressure.'
Brighton struggled to create chances, failing to register a shot on target until the closing stages. Manager Fabian Hurzeler admitted: 'We wanted more definitely, but in the end we didn't deserve more because we didn't play with energy and intensity in the first half.'
The equaliser came amid a scramble in the West Ham box, with Rutter smashing home after Jan Paul van Hecke laid the ball laterally. A VAR check for a possible handball by Rutter was dismissed, with Stockley Park deeming it a natural position. 'I was confused and scared about the VAR,' Rutter said. Nuno was unhappy with the decision, saying: 'We contained them, then we scored, and we tried to close out the game but unfortunately we couldn't.'
The result leaves Brighton's European hopes dented, while West Ham's three-point gap to the relegation zone was reduced to one point.
