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Brighton player ratings vs West Ham: Defender scores a 3 after horror show and several 5s as Albion shocked by Hammers

Sam Morton
Updated ·4-min read
West Ham put on a counter attacking masterclass as they recorded their first ever Premier League victory over a below-par Brighton. (Photo: Henry Browne/Getty Images)
West Ham put on a counter attacking masterclass as they recorded their first ever Premier League victory over a below-par Brighton. (Photo: Henry Browne/Getty Images)

The Hammers had not beaten the Seagulls since their promotion to the Premier League – a run that spanned six years and 12 games.

However, goals from James Ward-Prowse – his first for the Irons and 50th in the Premier League – Jarrod Bowen and Michail Antonio secured a fine victory for David Moyes’ side.

Alphonse Areola was in inspired form for the Hammers but was finally beaten when Pascal Gross found the corner with an inch perfect strike from outside the box, with ten minutes remaining.

Not the way he would have wanted his first Premier League game to go. Made a few comfortable saves but couldn't stop any of the goals. In fairness, he wasn't really helped by his defenders (Photo: Charlie Crowhurst/Getty Images)
Not the way he would have wanted his first Premier League game to go. Made a few comfortable saves but couldn't stop any of the goals. In fairness, he wasn't really helped by his defenders (Photo: Charlie Crowhurst/Getty Images)

Evan Ferguson and Lewis Dunk went close in injury-time but it was too little, too late for Albion, who were a shadow of the side that dismantled Wolves and Luton.

Here’s how Roberto De Zerbi’s players rated:

Looked a bit leggy in the first half and struggled to keep up with West Ham's pacey attackers. Involved in a heated exchange, showing he's still got that fire in his belly. Looking to make an impact going forward. Good effort saved as Albion looked to fight back from three goal down (Photo: Charlie Crowhurst/Getty Images)
Looked a bit leggy in the first half and struggled to keep up with West Ham's pacey attackers. Involved in a heated exchange, showing he's still got that fire in his belly. Looking to make an impact going forward. Good effort saved as Albion looked to fight back from three goal down (Photo: Charlie Crowhurst/Getty Images)
Not his best game for Brighton but was among the better performers on the pitch. Was too casual in certain moments. Two cracking headers kept out by an inspired Alphonse Areola and another cleared off the line by a defender. (Photo: Henry Browne/Getty Images)
Not his best game for Brighton but was among the better performers on the pitch. Was too casual in certain moments. Two cracking headers kept out by an inspired Alphonse Areola and another cleared off the line by a defender. (Photo: Henry Browne/Getty Images)
Webster won't look back at this game with any fondness. He was at fault for the first goal after being bullied off the ball by Antonio. He wanted a foul but it was never going to be given. Gave Benrahma far too much time and space to find a cross for the second goal, finished off by Bowen. The defender was beaten again by Antonio for the third goal. Not a good day at the office for the defender (Photo: Henry Browne/Getty Images)
Webster won't look back at this game with any fondness. He was at fault for the first goal after being bullied off the ball by Antonio. He wanted a foul but it was never going to be given. Gave Benrahma far too much time and space to find a cross for the second goal, finished off by Bowen. The defender was beaten again by Antonio for the third goal. Not a good day at the office for the defender (Photo: Henry Browne/Getty Images)
Hard working performance but just lacking that end product. Brighton's best player in the first half with the most touches in the opposition box and most chances created (two). Wanted a penalty in the second half but went down too easily.
Hard working performance but just lacking that end product. Brighton's best player in the first half with the most touches in the opposition box and most chances created (two). Wanted a penalty in the second half but went down too easily.
All-action display in the first half. Looked the most likely to break the deadlock with several loose balls falling to the young midfielder on the edge of box but couldn't trouble the keeper. Some nice passing but lacking killer ball. Did duties well defensively and nearly stopped the opener. Faded in the second half and replaced by Adam Lallana (Photo: Henry Browne/Getty Images)
All-action display in the first half. Looked the most likely to break the deadlock with several loose balls falling to the young midfielder on the edge of box but couldn't trouble the keeper. Some nice passing but lacking killer ball. Did duties well defensively and nearly stopped the opener. Faded in the second half and replaced by Adam Lallana (Photo: Henry Browne/Getty Images)
Fine finish late on gave Brighton a glimmer of hope. Did his best to be the creative spark throughout. A couple of careless moments, with one allowing West Ham to start an attack which led to a goal (Photo: Henry Browne/Getty Images)
Fine finish late on gave Brighton a glimmer of hope. Did his best to be the creative spark throughout. A couple of careless moments, with one allowing West Ham to start an attack which led to a goal (Photo: Henry Browne/Getty Images)
The forward came into the came into the game in fine scoring form but, in truth, he never looked like finding the net today. He found it difficult against a resilient West Ham defence. No gaps to exploit (Photo: Henry Browne/Getty Images)
The forward came into the came into the game in fine scoring form but, in truth, he never looked like finding the net today. He found it difficult against a resilient West Ham defence. No gaps to exploit (Photo: Henry Browne/Getty Images)
West Ham did very well to keep this man mostly quiet. The tricky winger did put in some dangerous crosses, though, with one nearly scored by Ferguson. (Photo: Henry Browne/Getty Images)
West Ham did very well to keep this man mostly quiet. The tricky winger did put in some dangerous crosses, though, with one nearly scored by Ferguson. (Photo: Henry Browne/Getty Images)
Like the other attackers, he struggled up against a solid backline. But he was denied by three great Areola saves. Decent acrobatic effort in the first half was caught on camera (Photo: Henry Browne/Getty Images)
Like the other attackers, he struggled up against a solid backline. But he was denied by three great Areola saves. Decent acrobatic effort in the first half was caught on camera (Photo: Henry Browne/Getty Images)
The veteran striker was not heavily involved in the first half. Shot deflected out for a corner early in the second half. Taken off for Joao Pedro after an hour (Photo: Charlie Crowhurst/Getty Images)
The veteran striker was not heavily involved in the first half. Shot deflected out for a corner early in the second half. Taken off for Joao Pedro after an hour (Photo: Charlie Crowhurst/Getty Images)
Energetic display and helped Brighton increase the pressure on West Ham but had a thankless task with his team three goals down just minutes after joining the action. Will be hoping to start against Newcastle (Photo: Charlie Crowhurst / Getty Images)
Energetic display and helped Brighton increase the pressure on West Ham but had a thankless task with his team three goals down just minutes after joining the action. Will be hoping to start against Newcastle (Photo: Charlie Crowhurst / Getty Images)
West Ham made it difficult for him to find pockets of space he usually likes to exploit but his passing was good and he linked up play nicely as Brighton tried to fight back from three goals down (Photo: Charlie Crowhurst/Getty Images)
West Ham made it difficult for him to find pockets of space he usually likes to exploit but his passing was good and he linked up play nicely as Brighton tried to fight back from three goals down (Photo: Charlie Crowhurst/Getty Images)
Brought some much needed physicality into the team with Albion suffering on the counter attack. Provided the assist for Gross and went close with a good effort late on. Good impact and will be hoping he's impressed enough to start against Newcastle (Photo: Adam Hunger / Getty Images)
Brought some much needed physicality into the team with Albion suffering on the counter attack. Provided the assist for Gross and went close with a good effort late on. Good impact and will be hoping he's impressed enough to start against Newcastle (Photo: Adam Hunger / Getty Images)
Struggled to make a big impact against the low block of West Ham who were protecting their three-goal lead. An exciting talent who will get plenty of time to impress (Photo: Mike Hewitt/Getty Images)
Struggled to make a big impact against the low block of West Ham who were protecting their three-goal lead. An exciting talent who will get plenty of time to impress (Photo: Mike Hewitt/Getty Images)