Carlos Baleba’s stunning long-range goal in injury time secured a dramatic 3-2 victory for Brighton & Hove Albion over West Ham United at the Amex Stadium.
The win keeps the Seagulls’ European ambitions alive while extending the Hammers’ winless Premier League run to seven matches.
Brighton, who are realistically out of the top-seven race, were eyeing a potential spot in the UEFA Conference League via eighth place, and they started the game on the front foot.
However, West Ham almost stunned them early on when Tomas Soucek, unmarked inside the area, sent a shot wide of the target.
Brighton swiftly punished West Ham for the miss, with Yasin Ayari curling a brilliant shot from 30 yards out to give them the lead.
The opening 15 minutes were frantic, but the game slowed after that, with Brighton surviving a VAR scare when Mohammed Kudus went down in the box.
The Seagulls had a close call of their own when Soucek’s header was saved brilliantly by goalkeeper Bart Verbruggen.
Brighton thought they had doubled their lead just before half-time when Simon Adingra scored, but a VAR review ruled out the goal for an offside infringement in the buildup.
It was a costly decision, as West Ham equalized just minutes into the second half. Jarrod Bowen’s impressive run to the byline set up Kudus, whose calm finish made it 1-1.
West Ham grew in confidence after the goal, with Aaron Wan-Bissaka testing Verbruggen with a powerful strike that was saved.
Brighton responded, and Jack Hinshelwood’s deflected shot narrowly missed the target. In the 85th minute, Bowen provided a pinpoint cross for Soucek to head in, seemingly giving West Ham their first away win in over a year.
But Brighton’s resolve held, and in the dying moments, Baleba delivered the decisive blow.
The midfielder, who has been in fine form, picked up the ball 35 yards out and curled a stunning shot into the top corner, securing three crucial points for Brighton in their pursuit of European football.
