Brighton & Hove Albion were held to a 2‑2 draw against West Ham United in their Premier League fixture on Tuesday, December 30, 2025. The match, played at the London Stadium, ended with both sides sharing the points after a dramatic encounter that featured multiple penalties and fluctuating momentum.
Brighton started the match under pressure but showed resilience to twice come from behind. West Ham opened the scoring in the 10th minute when Jarrod Bowen capitalised on a precise through ball and finished past Brighton’s goalkeeper Bart Verbruggen. The early lead gave the home side confidence and looked to set the tone for a crucial win, particularly as West Ham are embroiled in a battle to climb out of the relegation zone.
Brighton responded midway through the first half when they were awarded a penalty after Yankuba Minteh was fouled in the area. Danny Welbeck stepped up and confidently slotted the spot kick to level the score, giving the Seagulls a key lifeline. However, the drama was far from over. Minutes later, West Ham were awarded their own penalty following a handball in the box, and Lucas Paquetá converted to restore the home side’s lead just before half‑time.
The opening 45 minutes was chaotic and unusual for its number of penalty awards, with three spot‑kicks awarded in quick succession. Welbeck had another chance from the penalty spot for Brighton but his attempt, executed as a Panenka, struck the crossbar and bounced away, denying him a second goal of the night.
Into the second half, Brighton looked more composed and gradually began to assert themselves. Their persistence paid off in the 61st minute when Joel Veltman capitalised on a West Ham defensive error to head home and make it 2‑2. The equaliser injected belief into Brighton and they continued to press for a winner, forcing several stops from the West Ham defence and goalkeeper.
Despite Brighton’s growing momentum and a number of chances in the closing stages, neither team could find a decisive breakthrough. The final whistle confirmed a hard‑fought draw for Brighton, leaving both clubs with mixed feelings. The result means Brighton remain without a win in six matches across competitions, a concern for manager Fabian Hurzeler as the squad prepare for key fixtures in the New Year.
From West Ham’s perspective, dropping points after leading twice will feel like a missed opportunity, especially given their precarious position near the bottom of the table. The home side’s inability to hold onto leads underlines ongoing defensive frailties that have plagued them this season.
For Brighton, the draw extends a mid‑season run without victory but also highlights their fight and character to salvage a result on the road against a difficult opponent. The Seagulls will look to build on this performance as they aim to climb the table and push for a more consistent run of form in 2026.
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