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Maupay late cracker steals a point

NEAL MAUPAY finally ended Brighton’s wretched run of form with a dramatic late equaliser.

The French forward powered in a close-range effort to cap an incredible show of character by the visitors.

Brighton boss Graham Potter lost two players to injury in the first half, then saw his side reduced to 10 men in the second half when Adam Lallana went off injured with Brighton having used up their subs.

Albion were under sustained pressure for long periods, while Potter was as frustrated as his supporters with his men continuing their poor run in front of goal.

Tomas Soucek’s near-post header put West Ham in front from a Pablo Fornals corner after just five minutes.

Potter’s men hung in there, despite being dominated, but then their luck went from bad to awful.

Jeremy Sarmiento went down injured under no challenge after 12 minutes and had to be replaced by Solly March. Defender Adam Webster was also replaced, a victim of his troublesome calf, by Shane Duffy 10 minutes before the break.

And it was to Brighton’s immense credit that they were able to make a game of this.

Fornals should have scored with his 27th-minute volley but smashed his effort against the bar. Then Jarrod Bowen was inches away from connecting with a diving header.

But Brighton stuck at it with Lewis Dunk directing a header wide, six minutes before the break.

VAR Jarred Gillett kept the game alive when he ruled out what looked to be a legitimate own goal from Duffy, suggesting Michail Antonio was offside

Then Bowen blew yet another chance to double West Ham’s lead when his 65thminute, angled drive flew wide.

But still this game remained alive and when substitute Tariq Lamptey crossed from the right, Maupay pounced in the 89th minute to leave the Hammers to rue not putting the game away.

SHUT ’EM UP Brighton scorer silences the West Ham fans with his spectacular goal