West Ham 0-0 Brighton
by Paul Donovan
at London Stadium

THE ABSENCE of Lucus Paqueta and Mohammed Kudus showed, as West Ham struggled to get a draw against Brighton at the London Stadium.

Many present must have thought the presence of either could have swung the game for West Ham.

Instead, an under-strength team huffed and puffed but could not get the vital goal.

The best period for West Ham came in the first half, when Jarrod Bowen hit a post, finishing a slick move involving Konstantinos Mavropanos and Tomas Soucek. Though the goal would have been ruled out for offside.

James Ward Prowse then saw his volley saved by Jason Steele, with his legs, when following up a rebound from a Said Benrahma effort.

Mavropanos then nodded over a Benrahma cross.

West Ham keeper Alphonse Areola was the busier of the two keepers. He saved an effort from Jack Hinshelwood, having first pushed out a header.

Just before half time, Emerson whipped a cross over, but it evaded everyone in the area.

Brighton were even more wasteful in the second half. Joao Pedro got in from the left, beating two players before hitting a weak shot that Areola easily gathered.

Substitute Evan Ferguson then showed delightful skill, chipping the ball up before firing wide.

Jakub Moder whipped in a good ball, but Pascal Gross could not get a touch on it.

Much of Brighton’s best play involved Gross, who found Adam Lallana well placed, but his effort was pushed aside by Areola.

Soucek poked wide a good chance from six yards.

West Ham manager David Moyes was unhappy at not being able to use his African players — while Liverpool, playing the day before, were.

He admitted his side were a wee bit lucky, though was happy with a Christmas period that saw three wins and a draw accumulated.

Brighton manager, Roberto De Zerbi was pleased with his team’s effort and felt they deserved to win.