West Ham United vs Brighton and Hove Albion. Premier League.
London StadiumAttendance59,870.
Report and highlights as Hammers stage fightback
Wednesday 2 January 2019 23:58, UK
Marko Arnautovic scored twice in two minutes to lead a West Ham comeback from 2-0 down to salvage a 2-2 draw with Brighton.
In a crazy spell of four goals in 11 second-half minutes, Dale Stephens put the visitors in front (57) before Shane Duffy acrobatically hooked home to double the lead (59).
West Ham responded by sending on Mark Noble and Michail Antonio and they both played a part as Arnautovic netted a quick-fire double (66 & 68) to draw the hosts level. His second goal - from a Antonio cross - was controversial as the ball was borderline off the pitch when the winger found his striker.
The Hammers won more points in December (15) than they previously had all season (12), but they looked short on confidence from the get go.
Andy Carroll struggled to link with Felipe Anderson and Arnautovic and Brighton were well drilled in midfield. Space was hard to come by but Anderson should have done better on 24 minutes when firing straight at David Button from 12 yards.
Carroll was replaced at half-time by Lucas Perez but it was Brighton that took charge.
A corner was only half-punched clear by Lukas Fabianski and it dropped to Stephens, who controlled a very clever finish into the net.
Brighton seized their opportunity and doubled their lead two minutes later. Another corner wasn't dealt with properly by the Hammers and Duffy stole in at the far post. There was still a lot for him to do from a tight angle but he hooked a sublime finish into the net.
With the home fans starting to turn on their team, Arnautovic hauled the Hammers back into the match. Substitute Noble clipped a ball over the top and the Austrian raced through, held off Duffy, and fired home from close range.
He was at it again minutes later, this time finishing off after some brilliant wing play by Antonio, who was at full-stretch on the by-line to narrowly keep the ball in play in the opinion of the match officials.
Both teams looked for a winner in the closing stages but the lively Antonio fired over before Brighton nearly scored from a third corner but Duffy headed wide.
This showed how important the Austrian is to the Hammers. He's been missing since picking up a hamstring strain against Cardiff but got 70 minutes under his belt against Burnley. That put him cherry-ripe for this encounter and his second-half display when playing through the middle was first-class. He was strong, powerful and clinical in front of goal.
"We know Brighton score most of their goals from set pieces, especially corners, so to concede two goals knowing the characteristic of this team, I was very disappointed.
"I don't remember one chance for Brighton except the two set pieces.
"But fortunately we never gave up and the substitutes changed the face of the game. I'm disappointed about the result but very happy with the spirit of the team. Before the game I didn't want to draw but I think we must be happy."
"It's hugely disappointing, there won't be too many opportunities like that away from home.
"The first-half performance from us was very good, so at the moment the overriding feeling is disappointment.
"Five points from nine is a good points tally from us and we know we mustn't get complacent."
West Ham have back-to-back home games to look forward to, first against Birmingham in the FA Cup before welcoming Arsenal the following week, which is live on Sky Sports. Meanwhile, Brighton have a trip to Bournemouth in the cup and then a home clash with Liverpool.
