Premier League
Brighton
Dec 7, 2025 2.00pm
1
1
HT : 0 0
FT
West Ham
  • Ferdi Kadioglu 10' yellowcard
  • Lewis Dunk 52' yellowcard
  • Georginio Rutter 90'+1' goal
  • yellowcard Guido Rodriguez 60'
  • goal Jarrod Bowen 73'
  • yellowcard Freddie Botts 77'

Brighton 1-1 West Ham: Highlights, man of the match, stats as controversial Georginio Rutter strike saves Seagulls

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Brighton bailed out by controversial Rutter strike as West Ham denied precious win
© Iconsport / PA Images

​​​​​​Georginio Rutter cancelled out a slick opener from Jarrod Bowen as Brighton & Hove Albion salvaged a point from a 1-1 Premier League draw with West Ham United at the Amex Stadium.

Slogging it out on a wet and windy South Coast afternoon, neither the Seagulls nor the Irons had much in the way of gilt-edged attacking opportunities during the first half.

Nuno Espirito Santo's men registered the only shot on target of the opening 45, but the best opportunity came to the Seagulls, as Mats Wieffer failed to get a touch on an inviting Maxim De Cuyper cross with most of the goal at his mercy.

The visitors looked the likelier to draw first blood as the second half progressed, though, and their deserved opener inevitably arrived via the boot of captain Bowen.

However, as they have done throughout the season, Brighton left if late to restore parity, as Rutter levelled for Fabian Hurzeler's side at the start of added time.

West Ham would have risen above the dotted line had they held on, but the Irons remain 18th in the Premier League table after conceding late on, while Brighton leapfrog Tottenham Hotspur into ninth spot.

SPORTS MOLE'S VERDICT

© Imago / IPS

Death, taxes, and Brighton scoring late Premier League goals.

Prior to kickoff on Sunday, the Seagulls had already netted an unrivalled 17 goals in the second half of Premier League matches this season, including a joint-high 10 in the final 15 minutes.

If there is one thing that is consistent about Hurzeler's men, it is their never-say-die attitude as the clock ticks down, but failure to claim maximum points in games such as today's could prove fatal in their European charge.

The hosts still ought to view Sunday's draw as one point gained, but it is certainly a case of two dropped for West Ham, who were minutes away from propelling themselves out of the drop zone.

Irons fans may take issue with Rutter's goal being allowed to stand after the ball ostensibly hit the upper part of his arm, but they should also take issue with Dinos Mavropanos missing a gilt-edged chance right at the death, sending a header agonisingly wide of the post.

BRIGHTON VS. WEST HAM HIGHLIGHTS

Mats Wieffer chance vs. West Ham (33rd min, Brighton 0-0 West Ham)

A golden chance for the opener passes Brighton by!

De Cuyper delivers a fabulous inswinging ball into the path of Wieffer, who just needs to get a touch on the ball to open the scoring, but the cross flashes by him and out of play.

Jarrod Bowen goal vs. Brighton (73rd min, Brighton 0-1 West Ham)

That is just what Bowen does!

The fresh Callum Wilson runs onto Jan Paul van Hecke's lackadaisical header before feeding Bowen, who is seemingly forced too far wide under pressure from Ferdi Kadioglu.

However, the Brighton man is caught unawares by a brilliant sliding effort from the Hammers captain, who somehow guides the ball across goal and into the far side of the net!

Georginio Rutter goal vs. West Ham (90+1 min, Brighton 1-1 West Ham)

And the Brighton late show takes centre stage again!

Chaos reigns supreme in the West Ham box, as Charalampos Kostoulas's bicycle kicks finds Rutter, whose shot is kept out by Alphonse Areola.

Jan Paul van Hecke keeps the ball alive on the byline and gifts possession back to Rutter, who fires a ruthless finish through Areola's legs and into the net.

The VAR checks for a possible handball against Rutter, but the equaliser stands!

MAN OF THE MATCH - MATEUS FERNANDES

© Imago / Visionhaus

Bowen got the first, Rutter got the leveller, but Mateus Fernandes was nothing short of a duelling demon during his time on the field.

The Portuguese midfielder won a sensational 16 of his 17 ground battles at the Amex - making five tackles, drawing five fouls, registering three interceptions and making two blocks in a relentless display.

BRIGHTON VS. WEST HAM MATCH STATS

Possession: Brighton 68%-32% West Ham

Shots: Brighton 22-14 West Ham

Shots on target: Brighton 4-5 West Ham

Corners: Brighton 10-6 West Ham

Fouls: Brighton 12-8 West Ham

BEST STATS

WHAT NEXT?

Brighton hit the road to face holders Liverpool at Anfield next Saturday, when the Seagulls should sense a huge opportunity against the champions-in-crisis.

As for West Ham, the Irons are back in action next Sunday with a clash of the Clarets, hosting Aston Villa at the London Stadium.

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