A final-gasp Georginio Rutter equaliser denied West Ham United their first win in 4 video games once they travelled to the AMEX Stadium to face Brighton & Hove Albion on Sunday afternoon.
Throughout the opening interval, neither the Seagulls nor the Irons produced clear-cut moments, with each assaults struggling to craft something of actual significance.
Though Nuno Espirito Santo’s facet delivered the one effort on course earlier than the interval, the most important probability nonetheless belonged to Brighton, as Mats Wieffer couldn’t make contact with a tempting Maxim De Cuyper supply with the aim at his mercy.
Because the second half moved on, the guests appeared extra more likely to land the breakthrough and ultimately did when Jarrod Bowen struck within the 73rd minute, seemingly inserting Nuno Espirito Santo on track to increase his sturdy run in opposition to Brighton.
But West Ham have been denied on the dying, with Georginio Rutter crushing their hopes by changing a disputed 91st-minute leveller after a spell of late stress.
Had the Irons protected their benefit, they’d have climbed out of the relegation zone, however the stoppage-time setback retains them 18th within the Premier League — two factors behind Leeds United and Nottingham Forest.
One main constructive for Nuno, nonetheless, stays the speedy rise of Mateus Fernandes, who maintained his very good type this season within the conflict in opposition to Brighton.
Commanding efficiency
The 21-year-old delivered his regular depth and drive throughout midfield, protecting large distances and recovering the ball repeatedly.
Fernandes dominated his floor battles, claiming 16 of 17 duels, and in addition produced a single key move in a contest largely devoid of attacking sharpness till Bowen’s effort.
The Portugal U21 captain ran his socks off to minimise Brighton’s threats, together with his eight tackles and 6 possessions received being essentially the most of any participant on the pitch on the AMEX Stadium.
He additionally made 4 interceptions, 4 crosses and received 5 fouls for his facet, which have been all equally essentially the most of any participant on the pitch, to earn a well-deserved man of the match award.
Nuno will now hope Fernandes maintains his high-level efficiency in opposition to an in-form Aston Villa facet on a seven-game profitable run and unbeaten of their final six conferences with the Hammers, as they put together to host Unai Emery’s staff on the London Stadium on Sunday, 14 December.
