New boys upset Brighton and guide Hammers to top of table
Premier League: Brighton & Hove Albion 1 West Ham United 3
WEST Ham moved to the top of the Premier League with a thrilling victory over previously unbeaten Brighton at the Amex Stadium.
A superbly judged away performance appeared to have them cantering to victory ay 3-0 up with 12 minutes.
In the end, though, the visitors needed two brilliant saves from Alphonse Areola and a Danny Ings header off his own line to ensure that they claimed leadership of the table on goals scored.
The game was another triumph for Moyes’ transfer recruits with James Ward-Prowse and Edson Alvarez outstanding in shielding the West Ham defence.
Described by Moyes as having a similar personality to the departed Declan Rice, Ward-Prowse’s impact on the West Ham play has been similarly central, albeit in a divergent manner.
The midfielder offers a threat whenever he stands over a free-kick, while his knack for supporting his strikers brought the goal which put the visitors ahead after 19 minutes.
Brighton defender Adam Webster gave the ball away in midfield and in trying to redeem his error instead compounded it with an injudicious back pass seized upon by Michail Antonio.
The striker squared for Ward-Prowse to score at the second attempt after Billy Gilmour had blocked his first shot.
Ward-Prowse also supplied the free-kick which was punched clear by debutant Brighton keeper Bart Verbruggen, whose follow through temporarily knocked out Tomas Soucek.
The Czech was replaced by Said Benrahma, who was integral to a superb second goal just before the hour.
Minutes earlier Brighton had created their clearest opportunity of the game only for Evan Ferguson to see his downward header from a Kaoru Mitoma cross superbly parried by Alphonse Areola.
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