Carlos Baleba struck a 92nd-minute winner as Brighton & Hove Albion recorded a 3-2 victory over West Ham United in Saturday's Premier League contest at the Amex.
Yasin Ayari's first Brighton goal sent the Seagulls ahead in the 13th minute, but West Ham were level in the early stages of the second period courtesy of a close-range finish from Mohammed Kudus, who met a cross from the impressive Jarrod Bowen.
Tomas Soucek then headed a wonderful Bowen delivery into the back of the net to send the visitors ahead, but Brighton scored twice in the final exchanges through Kaoru Mitoma and Baleba to secure all three points against the Hammers.
The result has moved the Seagulls onto 51 points from 34 matches, with the team ninth in the Premier League table, while West Ham remain 17th, boasting only 36 points from their 34 games during a hugely underwhelming campaign.
SPORTS MOLE'S VERDICT
© Iconsport
The first half at the Amex was uneventful, and not too many would have predicted what occurred in the second period.
Bowen led the charge for West Ham after the break, coming up with two assists to help his side take a 2-1 lead, but Brighton's late show secured a vital three points for Fabian Hurzeler's side, who have been victorious for the first time since March 8.
The Seagulls had been on a disappointing run ahead of the clash with Graham Potter's side, and it would have been a major setback had they been beaten on home soil, especially considering West Ham's recent form.
Has Potter improved the Hammers? That is a difficult question.
The Englishman needs to be given time to make his mark, and this summer will be huge for the 49-year-old, but the London club are now on an eight-game winless run in England's top flight.
Kudus was again a bright spark for West Ham on the afternoon, but there is currently widespread speculation surrounding his future, and the attacker could be on the move during this summer's transfer window.
BRIGHTON VS. WEST HAM HIGHLIGHTS
13th min: Brighton 1-0 West Ham (Yasin Ayari)
Brighton take the lead in the 13th minute of their clash with West Ham, and it is a wonderful effort from Ayari, as the number 26 picks out the top corner from outside the penalty box - some strike from the 21-year-old, who is off the mark for the Seagulls.
48th min: Brighton 1-1 West Ham (Mohammed Kudus)
West Ham level the scores in the 49th minute of the match, as Kudus turns a cross from Bowen into the back of the net from close range; not too sure about the defending from the home side here.
83rd min: Brighton 1-2 West Ham (Tomas Soucek)
West Ham take the lead in the 83rd minute of the match, as Soucek heads a glorious cross from Bowen into the back of the net; the Hammers have turned this game around to lead in the latter stages.
89th min: Brighton 2-2 West Ham (Kaoru Mitoma)
All square in the 89th minute of the match, and this time it is Mitoma on the scoresheet, with the attacker heading into the back of the net from close range - not too sure about the defending from the Hammers there.
92nd min: Brighton 3-2 West Ham (Carlos Baleba)
Incredible scenes here, as Brighton take the lead in the 92nd minute of the match, with Baleba finding the back of the net from distance; it is a brilliant effort from the midfielder into the far corner of the net.
MAN OF THE MATCH - MOHAMMED KUDUS
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Bowen deserves a special mention here, with the Hammers attacker putting in an excellent performance, but Kudus was brilliant for the visitors, scoring early in the second period and causing Brighton all sorts of issues throughout the match.
The 24-year-old completed seven successful dribbles, while he also boasted a pass success rate of 87%, and he was one player who did not deserve to be on the losing side in Saturday's clash at the Amex.
BRIGHTON VS. WEST HAM MATCH STATS
Possession: Brighton 53%-47% West Ham
Shots: Brighton 16-12 West Ham
Shots on target: Brighton 9-4 West Ham
Corners: Brighton 8-1 West Ham
Fouls: Brighton 7-9 West Ham
BEST STAT
Tomas Soucek has been directly involved in 50 goals for West Ham in all competitions, becoming only the fifth non-British player to achieve this milestone:
— Hammers Hub (@HammersHubWHUFC) April 26, 2025
🇯🇲 Michail Antonio (119)
🇮🇹 Paolo Di Canio (81)
🇦🇷 Manuel Lanzini (54)
🇧🇲 Clyde Best
🇨🇿 Tomas Soucek (50)
A true Hammer ⚒️ pic.twitter.com/YxOqo8nCCs
WHAT NEXT?
Both teams will continue their Premier League campaign next Sunday, with West Ham welcoming Tottenham Hotspur to the London Stadium, while Brighton will host Newcastle United on the same afternoon.
Brighton's last three league games of the season are against Wolverhampton Wanderers, Liverpool and Tottenham, while West Ham's final three matches of the campaign will see them take on Manchester United, Nottingham Forest and Ipswich Town.
Matt Law
