Brilliant Brighton put end to what has been a bad week for Hammers

THE one positive for West Ham? This week is nearly over. What a humiliating few days it’s been for everyone connected with the football club.

It seems strange to even suggest that yesterday’s 3-1 loss at Brighton, in the Premier League’s 10,000th game, represents the least of their worries. But that really isn’t so removed from the truth.

Accusations of racism, a stuttering transfer deadline day and a disenchanted fan base.

Happy Hammers? No chance. West Ham’s reputation has been dragged through the mud amid revelations that head of recruitment Tony Henry wanted to restrict the number of Africans at the club.

Here at the Amex, the team were pummelled from pillar to post. Henry, on Friday afternoon, paid the ultimate price for his comments as he lost his job. But a growing section of West Ham fans believe their disgraced transfer guru isn’t the only one who should be gone. ‘Sack the board,’ chanted the Hammers fans.

But manager David Moyes said: ‘What has happened this week has no effect whatsoever on the players performance, the club have done what they think they have to do and move on.’

Chris Hughton had far more to be cheery about — his side winning their first Premier League match in seven attempts.

‘I’m delighted, I thought we started very well but it’s hard to sustain those levels so it’s a big disappointment coming in at 1-1,’ said the Brighton boss.

‘But we had to raise it again. The second half was close to being as good as we have been.’

Brighton were ahead inside eight minutes; Glenn Murray slotting past Adrian following Pascal Gross’ throughball in the aftermath of Javier Hernandez wastefully giving the ball away.

Javier Hernandez then smashed a brilliant finish into the top righthand corner after Joao Mario’s superb flick to equalise.

But the second half was Brigton’s.

First Jose Izquierdo’s brilliant 59th-minute goal left fans jumping for joy before, in the 75th minute, Gross fired home from the edge of the area after James Collins’ attempted pass was easily cut out by Propper.

Brighton (4-4-1-1): Ryan 6; Schelotto 7, Duffy 7.5, Dunk 7, Bong 7; Knockaert 7 (March 78min), Stephens 7, Propper 7.5, Izquierdo 8.5; Gross 7.5 (Kayal 83); Murray 7 (Ulloa 72). Subs (not used): Bruno, Baldock, Goldson, Krul. Booked: Izquierdo, Dunk.

WEST ham (3-5-1-1): Adrian 5; Collins 5, Ogbonna 5.5, Rice 5 (Antonio 65, 5); Byram 5.5 (Hugill 80), Zabaleta 6, Kouyate 6, Noble 6.5, Cresswell 6.5; Mario 6; Hernandez 6.5. Subs (not used): Reid, Fonte, Haksabanovic, Hart, Cullen. Booked: Cresswell. referee: R East 6.