TROSS THE BOSS ...But even brilliant Belgian can’t beat jinx for Potter

GRAHAM POTTER refused to blame VAR for extending Brighton’s brutal ‘new boss’ jinx.

No new Albion manager has won on his home league debut since 2001 – and the job has changed hands 15 times since then.

The Seagulls were held by West Ham in Potter’s first match at the Amex, with Leandro Trossard equalising an opener from Javier Hernandez.

Mind you, it could have been a very different story.

Belgian belter Trossard’s stunning effort in the first half was ruled out by VAR for a marginal offside against Dan Burn.

That decision took the wind out of the Seagulls’ sails when they were flying, and in the end they needed character and energy to rescue a point.

Potter (right) said: “I can have no complaints about the VAR decision, that’s what it is there for. Whether it’s a millimetre or centimetre, it’s offside by the laws of the game.

“It’s not very pleasing when it happens because it changes the atmosphere in the stadium.

“But we all have to deal with that. VAR is there for that and you want it to be correct.”

Potter could have been the first rookie Brighton boss since Peter Taylor 18 years ago to win on his home league debut.

But he was pleased with the way his team won over a home crowd who appreciated his new attacking style – after his prede c e s s or Chr i s Hughton had been accused of being negative.

Potter said: “I’m really proud of the players.

“They put a lot into the game and showed great courage and spirit to recover from two setbacks.

“The crowd appreciated what was happening on the pitch.”

Hammers boss Manuel Pellegrini, who made five changes after being thrashed by Manchester City, said: “I think the draw was the fair result.

“Both team created chances and i t was important for us not to lose the second game in a