While a defeat at the Amex would still ruin West Ham United’s weekend, most fans would have bitten your hand clean off if you had offered them this scenario heading into Sunday’s 2pm kick-off on the South Coast.
Yes, the Hammers are still mired in the Premier League’s relegation zone. Yes, their abysmal record against the Seagulls does little to boost any pre-match confidence.
West Ham United have won only once in 16 matches since Chris Hughton guided Brighton and Hove Albion to the Premier League for the very first time nearly a decade ago. The aggregate score between the two sides now reads 18-30.
But Nuno Espirito Santo’s visitors will have kept half an eye on Saturday’s results during their pre-match preparations, before going to bed with a renewed sense of optimism.
OK, Leeds showed admirable resolve to fight back from 2-0 and 3-2 down to claim a dramatic late point in a modern Premier League classic at Elland Road. That is four points in a week for Daniel Farke’s side, against Chelsea and Liverpool.
But Leeds remain catchable in 15th. Ditto Nottingham Forest, sandwiching West Ham and the Yorkshire giants either side of the dotted line.
Photo by Alex Livesey/Getty ImagesWest Ham United would climb over Leeds and Nottingham Forest with a big win
That Sean Dyche-powered ‘new manager bounce’ has given way to more of the same at the City Ground. That 3-0 trouncing at Everton was a result, and a performance, straight out of the Ange Postecoglou era.
Should West Ham end their two-year wait for a victory over Brighton, then, they will draw level on points with Leeds and Forest, with 15 apiece.
The Hammers could even end the weekend two places above the relegation zone, although that would require a stunning 3-0 away win over their so-called ‘bogey side’.
Summerville returns? Paqueta in? What changes would you make to West Ham’s XI?
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Brighton did concede four goals against Aston Villa in midweek, though. They can be got at. And West Ham have already pulled off one three-goal away win this season already, beating Nuno’s Nottingham Forest on their own soil before the self-imposed rot started to set in.
Nuno Espirito Santo determined to keep good run going
Speaking of Nuno, the Hammers boss is refusing to even consider letting complacency slip in following a sudden upturn in form. West Ham have picked up eight points from losing positions already under their new head coach, as they start to pick up the pieces from the rubble left behind by Potter.
“We cannot avoid [our position in the table]. It’s a reality and we have to face it. We are fighting to survive,” Nuno said during his press conference on Friday. “Let’s not hide it. And the results of other teams you cannot control. It’s up to us.
“It’s everybody in the club realising that we have to give everything, we have to give the best of us to go out of this situation. It’s the reality.
“A club like us, as big as we are, we have to face the reality and go out of this situation so we can then move forward. It’s hard to build with urgency, but the boys are committed and they believe that we can do it.”
Fabian Hurzeler is not taking the threat of West Ham lightly
West Ham will end the weekend within two points of 15th place Fulham if they beat Brighton and the Cottagers lose at home to London rivals Crystal Palace.
In the meantime, Brighton boss Fabian Hurzeler expects a tough battle against a West Ham outfit who have made big strides defensively while still retaining serious attacking potential at the other end of the pitch.
“The teams of Nuno, they are very disciplined. They know how to defend, how to win games,” said the German, 19 years his opposite number’s junior.
What changes would you make to our West Ham and Brighton combined XI?
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“So we have to keep pushing. We have to push to our limits and our stamina. We have to understand that small margins will make the difference. It doesn’t matter whether it’s throw-ins or set-pieces; these are all things that can change the game.
“We have to be aware of that. And then, we have to go into the game with the right mindset. Old Trafford is not an easy place to go and take something. Definitely, they can be happy.
“Every team has its quality,” Hurzeler added. “Every team has individual quality. Especially West Ham with their attacking, their midfield options. They can be a big danger. I think Bowen, Fernandes, Paqueta when he comes back, Wilson…
“They all have the quality to score a goal and create something out of nothing.”
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