1. The curse is broken!
As Jarrod Bowen said in his post-match interview, the curse of Brighton & Hove Albion in the Premier League is finally broken.
After six-and-a-bit seasons and 13 matches, West Ham United have finally got the better of the Seagulls in the top-flight.
Prior to Saturday’s game, Brighton had won six of the previous 12 meetings, with six draws, but those dozen games were (almost) forgotten as the Hammers roared to an historic victory on the Sussex coast.
We can now concentrate our efforts on ending our run of defeats against another bogey team, Brentford, who have won all four Premier League matches between the two since winning promotion in 2021!
2. Areola at it again!
A week after his penalty save from Enzo Fernández set the foundations for a 3-1 home win over Chelsea, Alphonse Areola played an influential role again as West Ham United defeated Brighton & Hove Albion by the same scoreline to go top of the Premier League table.
The France international has been given an opportunity to stake his claim to be the Hammers’ top-flight starter this season, and it is one he has taken with both big, gloved hands.
At the Amex Stadium, Areola was simply sensational, with his positioning, reflexes, concentration and – one dropped catch aside – handling all at a top level.
The 30-year-old made NINE saves to keep the Seagulls at bay, including at least three you would describe as ‘world-class’.
Irish forward Evan Ferguson was denied on five occasions, Pascal Groß was frustrated three times, while Lewis Dunk and Joël Veltman will wonder how they didn’t find the net.
Areola is now up to 16 saves in three appearances and, while he would prefer to be less busy going forward, the goalkeeper has demonstrated clearly he has the quality to be West Ham’s Premier League number one.
3. Bowen’s still on fire!
Jarrod Bowen is in a good place.
West Ham United’s UEFA Europa Conference League matchwinner has been in superb form since returning for pre-season training, having celebrated becoming a father for the first time – to twins with partner Dani Dyer – in the summer.
Bowen’s happiness on and off the pitch is translating into outstanding performance after outstanding performance. At Brighton, the No20 was devastating.
First, just short of the hour-mark, he collected Saïd Benrahma’s inch-perfect cross and finished past Bart Verbruggen in one movement to double West Ham’s lead, then he fed Michail Antonio to spin away from Lewis Dunk and power in the Irons’ third and wrap up a fine victory minutes later.
Surely an England recall for the September internationals is not out of the question?
4. Moyesball
For the second week in succession, David Moyes’ West Ham United proved possession does not equal points.
A week after defeating Chelsea with 24 per cent possession at London Stadium, the Hammers stifled and stunned Brighton to win at the Amex Stadium despite having just 22 per cent of the ball.
As Moyes said in his post-match West Ham TV interview, he would ideally like to have seen his team keep better possession themselves, and concede fewer chances to their opponents – Brighton had 25 goal attempts to West Ham’s 12 – but ultimately it was his team which won the game.
Sitting in a compact shape defensively, with banks of four and five on the edge of their penalty area and a few yards outside, the Hammers refused to engage with their opponents, whose centre-backs pushed far into the visitors’ half to try and draw them out.
Offensively, the Irons played on the counter, using Michail Antonio’s willingness to run the channels, Saïd Benrahma’s ability to carry the ball upfield and Jarrod Bowen’s pace to exploit the wide open spaces left behind Brighton’s back four.
With James Ward-Prowse and Lucas Paquetá picking passes through the lines, too, Moyes’ tactics paid off almost perfectly for the second Premier League gameweek in a row.
