More of the same from West Ham and Nuno as the Hammers draw 2-2 with Brighton despite leading twice.

West Ham started pretty well, we were very defensive as usual, but we looked very dangerous on the counter attack.

We capitalised on that danger in the tenth minute as a fast attack got Lucas Paquetá in a dangerous position in the offensive third, he played an inc perfect ball through to Jarrod Bowen who found the back of the net past Verbruggen, It almost reminded me of the Conference League clinching goal in 2023, but we didn’t finish this game with the same happiness.

Ollie Scarles then went close to opening his account as a Hammer as his lovely left footed shot towards the far post went narrowly wide.

The smiles were wiped off Hammers fans faces within 22 minutes as Max Kilman continued with his usual antics, his awful late lunging tackle on Minteh made the ref point straight to the spot. Welbeck sent Areola the wrong was as he fired the ball into the bottom left corner.

West Ham’s evening almost got even worse as Lucas Paqueta’s stupidness led to another penalty just three minutes after Welbeck finished the first. His rugby tackle on Lewis Dunk when defending a corner was a blatant penalty.

However, Welbleck didn’t make the most of this one. His panenka attempt came off the crossbar and was cleared away. The Hammers players weren’t happy with Welbeck’s showboating; Potts, Bowen and Fernandes were right in his face shoving him. This caused a big scuffle and the Brighton players, especially Welbeck lost their heads.

Paquetá went from villain to hero as he have the Hammers the lead on the stroke of half time.

Callum Wilson’s goal-bound shot appeared to be expertly blocked by Lewis Dunk. However, VAR ruled that Dunk blocked the ball with his hand after a long review, it was absolutely the right decision. Lucas Paquetá slotted the penalty into bottom right corner after a stuttered run up.

Brighton started the second half positively and that’s how it continued. Mitoma came on just before the hour mark and instantly caused problems for the Hammers.

Minutes later the Seagulls levelled it up. Kadioglu’s corner was deal with embarrassingly by both Areola and Kilman, allowing Veltman in easy finish at the back post. A very disappointing goal to concede considering how much we’ve improved in defending corners recently.

Summerville came on for the Hammers, ordering them an outlet and we began to look dangerous at times. Unfortunately, Wilson was withdrawn meaning we had no physical presence up there, so there wasn’t much sticking.

Kadioglu, Mitoma and stutter went close for the visitors. Mitoma’s chance was huge, his one-two with Kadioglu allowed him to have a shot. Areola spilled it and it stopped right in the goal line, luckily Kilman was there to clear it away.

The Hammers made a late triple change including Soucek. However, it was Brighton that were putting most of the pressure on. L

Looking at the game as a whole, I think we were pretty lucky to get a draw. They weren’t great or we weren’t bad, but they had more of the ball, more chances, more xG and obviously missed a penalty that would’ve put them 2-1 up.

It’s a really poor result though considering we were leading twice, and it shows just how bad our defence is. Kilman can’t keep playing, we need to act in the January window.

This draw makes the next two even more important. We have to get six points from the Wolves and Nottingham Forest matches or I think we can confirm our relegation.