West Ham United vs Brighton & Hove Albion was quite simply the most breath-taking game I’ve ever attended at London Stadium. That nail biting match finished 2-2 on the pitch that day. On 2025’s last day, the game had all the drama. Fans were treated to three penalties, one of which was a converted miss, and a nasty altercation that upped the ante on the field. A tough match for winning run Both teams came into the match needing a win and both left still looking to break their winless streaks.
Jarrod Bowen blasted home the opener for West Ham just 10 minutes in. He made no mistake with a phenomenal effort, assisted by Lucas Paqueta. That first goal set the stage for a wildly entertaining game, with both sides going back and forth in an effort to control the tempo. Later in the game, Brighton managed to equalize, meaning the points were shared.
A Match of Penalties
The match included three red cards that changed the course of the match. West Ham were awarded a second penalty in the first half, and an emphatic finish from Lucas Paqueta put the Hammers two up. Brighton took their chance when Danny Welbeck converted a penalty. This opportunity arose just a few plays after the first.
While he skied an attempted Panenka penalty kick that game, fortune for Brighton would still favour Welbeck, with the penalty rebounding back into play off the crossbar. This miss ignited a brawl between players as the tempers undoubtedly flared on both sides of the pitch.
“What a penalty, what a great decision in a situation with a lot of pressure,” said West Ham head coach Nuno Espirito Santo, reflecting on his team’s successful spot-kick.
As the game continued, another foul by West Ham’s Paqueta on Brighton’s Lewis Dunk resulted in a second penalty for the visitors. The plot only thickened with the memory of Welbeck’s earlier miss on the conscience of players and fans alike.
VAR Involvement
Video Assistant Referee (VAR) had an amazing match and helped to ensure a fierce, clean game. Our first moment of mischief came when Jarrod Bowen chopped down Kaoru Mitoma. Despite protests from the Brighton players, VAR ruled no penalty.
In a second example, Callum Wilson’s shot struck Dunk on the arm which was first missed by referee Michael Salisbury. Upon reviewing the VAR with VAR official Stuart Attwell, Salisbury has told the scene to watch the given footage on the monitor. However, without mentioned technology, this decision would have omened the biggest scandal in modern football.
Brighton’s Equalizer
Brighton’s determination was ultimately rewarded when they equalized from a corner kick midway through the second half. West Ham’s Alphonse Areola, expected to kick-start an attacking move by clearing the ball, instead somehow managed to palm it right back into play. Joel Veltman took full advantage though and poked home from close range to draw Brighton deserve to level up at 2-2.
The disappointing draw sees both teams wondering what could have been as they end their 2025 campaigns winless. The second half equalizer for Brighton revealed their masterclass of spirit and fighting to take at least one point from the match.
“That is non-negotiable. It should be every game like this. You cannot talk and be surprised by this. It has to be something that is part of us,” Nuno Espirito Santo emphasized post-match.
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