West Ham United's chronic defensive issues returned to haunt them as they twice surrendered the lead in a damaging 2-2 Premier League draw with Brighton & Hove Albion at the London Stadium.
Bowen's Brilliance Undermined by Defensive Lapses
Once again, Jarrod Bowen proved he is West Ham's most potent weapon, opening the scoring after just ten minutes. The move was reminiscent of his Conference League final heroics, as Lucas Paqueta capitalised on a poor Brighton clearance from Alphonse Areola's long ball to set the captain free.
However, a self-destructive three-minute spell before half-time saw the Hammers gift Brighton two penalties. First, Max Kilman rashly brought down Yankuba Minteh, before Paqueta compounded the error with a bizarre rugby tackle on the formidable Lewis Dunk inside his own area.
Danny Welbeck converted the first spot-kick, but mercifully for Paqueta, chipped his second effort against the crossbar. The Brazilian midfielder made partial amends just before the break, coolly rolling in a penalty of his own after a VAR review for handball against Dunk.
A Recurring Nightmare for Nuno's Side
The second half followed a familiar script for the anxious home support. On the hour mark, Areola failed to deal with a Brighton corner, flapping it straight into the path of the unmarked Joel Veltman, who tapped in from two yards to level the score at 2-2.
Despite late saves from Areola to deny Ferdi Kadioglu and Kaoru Mitoma, West Ham could not find a winner. The result extends their dismal home record against Brighton to nine Premier League matches without a victory.
Paqueta Embodies West Ham's Frustrating Inconsistency
The performance of Lucas Paqueta perfectly encapsulated West Ham's current plight. At his best, the Brazilian is a match-winner, providing the assist for Bowen's goal and showing immense composure from the penalty spot.
At his worst, he is a glaring liability. His needless concession of a penalty and subsequent loss of possession which sparked a dangerous Brighton counter-attack—after which he tweaked his back and failed to track back—highlighted the erratic nature that infuriates fans during a tense relegation scrap.
The result represents a significant missed opportunity for Nuno Espirito Santo's team. They spurned the chance to close the gap on Nottingham Forest to just two points, with a crucial fixture against Sean Dyche's Everton next at the London Stadium. The manager's desire to bolster his defence in the January transfer window is now more urgent than ever.
For Brighton boss Fabian Hurzeler, turning to experience paid off. Welbeck, Veltman, and the veteran James Milner—making his first start since September—helped halt a run of five games without a win, with Veltman's goal securing a valuable point.
