A L B I O N R E P O R T - 7
5 OCTOBER 2018 - BRIGHTON & HOVE ALBION 1 ( Glenn Murray 1 -
25 minutes) WEST HAM UNITED 0 - PREMIER LEAGUE - at the
AMERICAN EXPRESS COMMUNITY STADIUM, FALMER.
For their fourth home Premier League game of the season fifteenth-placed Albion
(5 points from 7 games) welcomed fourteenth-placed West Ham United (7 points
from 7 games) to the Amex, "live" in front of the Sky Sports cameras.
Following a poor start to the season under new manager Manuel Pellegrini which
saw them lose their first four Premier League fixtures, the Hammers suddenly
turned the corner with a fine 3-1 win at Everton, a 0-0 home draw against Chelsea,
a convincing 8-0 home win over Macclesfield Town in the third round of the Carabao
Cup and on the 29 September a deserved 3-1 home win over Manchester United.
In the summer West Ham spent over £100 million in strengthening their squad,
including the acquisition of midfielders Felipe Anderson from Lazio for £40m, Andriy
Yarmolenko from Borussia Dortmund for £17m and defender Issa Diop from Toulouse
for £22m. Other newcomers included Lukasz Fabianski from Swansea City, defender
Fabian Balbuena from Corinthians, midfielder Jack Wilshere from Arsenal and forward
Lucas Perez from Arsenal.
Albion Manager Chris Hughton made three changes to his starting line-up from the
team which lost 0-2 at Manchester City on the 29 September, with Captain Bruno
Saltor, Alireza Jahanbakhsh and Glenn Murray coming in for Martin Montoya, Yves
Bissouma and Jurgen Locadia. Unsurprisingly, Manager Manuel Pelligrini named an
unchanged starting line-up for West Ham, following their 3-1 win over Manchester
United on the 29 September.
In the corresponding fixture last season on the 3 February 2018, the Seagulls
defeated the Hammers 3-1, with their goals coming from Glenn Murray (8m),
Jose Izquierdo (59) and Pascal Gross (75). West Ham's reply came from Javier
Hernandez (30). Following their 3-0 win at the London Stadium on the 20 October
2017, this was Albion's first Premier League double. The teams which took the
field at the Amex on the 3 February 2018, were Albion (4-4-1-1):- Mathew Ryan;
Ezequiel Schelotto, Shane Duffy, Lewis Dunk (Capt), Gaetan Bong; Anthony
Knockaert (Solly March 77), Dale Stephens, Davy Propper, Jose Izquierdo; Pascal
Gross (Beram Kayal 83); Glenn Murray (Leonardo Ulloa 72). Subs not used: Tim
Krul (G/K), Bruno Saltor, Connor Goldson, Sam Baldock. West Ham line-up
(3-4-2-1):- Adrian; James Collins, Angelo Ogbonna, Declan Rice (Michail Antonio 66);
Sam Byram (Jordan Hugill 80), Pablo Zabeleta, Mark Noble (Capt), Aaron Cresswell;
Cheikhou Kouyate, Joao Mario; Javier Hernandez. Subs not used: Joe Hart (G/K),
Winston Reid, Jose Fonte, Sead Haksabanovic, Josh Cullen.
In fine conditions and looking to get back to winning ways, it was the Albion who
made the early running with wide players Anthony Knockaert and Alireza Jahan-
bakhsh prominent. The Seagulls had the first opportunity of the game when
Knockaert tried his luck from distance but West Ham goalkeeper Lukasz Fabianski
easily saved the Frenchman's shot. In the 14th minute the in-form Hammers front-
man Marko Arnautovic sent in a goal-bound shot from the edge of the area but Glenn
Murray got back to block the Austrian's effort. Knockaert then set up a chance for
Solly March but the winger's wayward effort sailed over the crossbar. The Albion
deservedly took the lead on 25 minutes when Andriy Yarmolenko lost possession of
the ball in his own half and in a flash Beram Kayal got clear on the left and sent in
a pinpoint cross to the far post where the unmarked Murray was waiting to tap the
ball past keeper Fabianski. The Seagulls supporters went wild with delight as
Murray notched his fifth Premier League goal of the season and his 99th career
goal for the Albion. 1-0. The Hammers attempt to level matters faltered when
midfielder Pedro Obiang saw his shot from distance just clear the bar. Just before
the break Murray teed up Jahanbakhsh but the Iranian's shot flashed over the
crossbar. Half-time 1-0.
Manager Pellegrini must have had words with his West Ham players at the
interval as they started the second-half on the front foot as Albion defender
Shane Duffy blocked Arnautovic's goal-bound strike and then Albion goalkeeper
Mathew Ryan saved another effort by Arnautovic. The Hammers then missed a
great chance to equalise when defender Fabian Balbuena headed wide from
Felipe Anderson's corner right in front of the posts. Murray then had two chances
to increase his team's lead, first heading over from Knockaert's corner and then
heading over March's pinpoint cross. In the closing moments Albion substitute
Jurgen Locadia unluckily had a goal disallowed for offside and at the other end
Arnautovic blasted a shot over the bar when well-placed. A hard-won three
points for the Seagulls. Final-score 1-0.
The Albion had 9 attempts at goal, with 4 on target and won 2 corners, free-
kicks conceded - 12. West Ham had 17 attempts at goal, with 4 on target and
won 9 corners, free-kicks conceded - 8.
VERDICT - A welcome three points for the Albion following a fine team display
against an in-form West Ham. Although missing key players Dale Stephens and
Pascal Gross, the team stepped up to the plate and delivered the goods against
a resurgent West Ham side. Both teams on the night missed clear-cut chances
but the Seagulls deserved their victory prior to going into the second international
break of the season.
Albion line-up (4-4-1-1):- Mathew Ryan; Bruno Saltor (Capt), Shane Duffy,
Lewis Dunk, Gaetan Bong; Anthony Knockaert, Beram Kayal, Davy Propper (Yves
Bissouma 81), Alireza Jahanbakhsh (Jose Izquierdo 71); Solly March (Jurgen
Locadia 86); Glenn Murray. Subs not used: David Button (G/K), Leon Balogun,
Bernardo, Florin Andone.
West Ham United line-up (4-1-4-1):- Lukasz Fabianski; Pablo Zabaleta,
Fabian Balbuena, Issa Diop, Arthur Masuaka; Declan Rice; Andriy Yarmolenko
(Lucas Perez 70), Mark Noble (Capt) (Robert Snodgrass 83), Pedro Obiang
(Michail Antonio 60), Felipe Anderson; Marko Arnautovic. Subs not used:
Adrian (G/K), Ryan Fredericks, Aaron Cresswell, Angelo Ogbonna.
Referee: Kevin Friend (Leicestershire). Assistant Referees: Matthew Wilkes
& Simon Beck. Fourth Official: Simon Hooper.
Yellow Cards: Albion: 3 - Shane Duffy, Alireza Jahanbakhsh, Beram Kayal.
West Ham United: 2 - Marko Arnautovic, Robert Snodgrass.
Possession: Albion - 35%. West Ham United - 65%.
Match Sponsor (Sky Construction Group) Albion Man of the Match: Beram
Kayal.
Attendance: 30544.
NEXT GAME:
20 OCTOBER 2018 - NEWCASTLE UNITED - AWAY - PREMIER LEAGUE.
Following the second international break, the Seagulls are off to Newcastle
United for their ninth Premier League game of the season. The Magpies have
taken 2 points from their first eight games of the campaign and will be
desperately seeking their first win of the season against the Albion. Newcastle
currently occupy 19th position in the Premier League, whilst the Seagulls are
in 13th spot with 8 points from 8 games. Last season the teams drew 0-0 at
St. James' Park on the 30 December 2017 and the Albion won 1-0 at the Amex
on the 24 September 2017, with Tomer Hemed scoring the deciding goal. With
50000 Geordies behind them, the Magpies will come out flying from the initial
whistle and the Seagulls might have to settle for a point in the end.
5 OCTOBER 2018 - BRIGHTON & HOVE ALBION 1 ( Glenn Murray 1 -
25 minutes) WEST HAM UNITED 0 - PREMIER LEAGUE - at the
AMERICAN EXPRESS COMMUNITY STADIUM, FALMER.
For their fourth home Premier League game of the season fifteenth-placed Albion
(5 points from 7 games) welcomed fourteenth-placed West Ham United (7 points
from 7 games) to the Amex, "live" in front of the Sky Sports cameras.
Following a poor start to the season under new manager Manuel Pellegrini which
saw them lose their first four Premier League fixtures, the Hammers suddenly
turned the corner with a fine 3-1 win at Everton, a 0-0 home draw against Chelsea,
a convincing 8-0 home win over Macclesfield Town in the third round of the Carabao
Cup and on the 29 September a deserved 3-1 home win over Manchester United.
In the summer West Ham spent over £100 million in strengthening their squad,
including the acquisition of midfielders Felipe Anderson from Lazio for £40m, Andriy
Yarmolenko from Borussia Dortmund for £17m and defender Issa Diop from Toulouse
for £22m. Other newcomers included Lukasz Fabianski from Swansea City, defender
Fabian Balbuena from Corinthians, midfielder Jack Wilshere from Arsenal and forward
Lucas Perez from Arsenal.
Albion Manager Chris Hughton made three changes to his starting line-up from the
team which lost 0-2 at Manchester City on the 29 September, with Captain Bruno
Saltor, Alireza Jahanbakhsh and Glenn Murray coming in for Martin Montoya, Yves
Bissouma and Jurgen Locadia. Unsurprisingly, Manager Manuel Pelligrini named an
unchanged starting line-up for West Ham, following their 3-1 win over Manchester
United on the 29 September.
In the corresponding fixture last season on the 3 February 2018, the Seagulls
defeated the Hammers 3-1, with their goals coming from Glenn Murray (8m),
Jose Izquierdo (59) and Pascal Gross (75). West Ham's reply came from Javier
Hernandez (30). Following their 3-0 win at the London Stadium on the 20 October
2017, this was Albion's first Premier League double. The teams which took the
field at the Amex on the 3 February 2018, were Albion (4-4-1-1):- Mathew Ryan;
Ezequiel Schelotto, Shane Duffy, Lewis Dunk (Capt), Gaetan Bong; Anthony
Knockaert (Solly March 77), Dale Stephens, Davy Propper, Jose Izquierdo; Pascal
Gross (Beram Kayal 83); Glenn Murray (Leonardo Ulloa 72). Subs not used: Tim
Krul (G/K), Bruno Saltor, Connor Goldson, Sam Baldock. West Ham line-up
(3-4-2-1):- Adrian; James Collins, Angelo Ogbonna, Declan Rice (Michail Antonio 66);
Sam Byram (Jordan Hugill 80), Pablo Zabeleta, Mark Noble (Capt), Aaron Cresswell;
Cheikhou Kouyate, Joao Mario; Javier Hernandez. Subs not used: Joe Hart (G/K),
Winston Reid, Jose Fonte, Sead Haksabanovic, Josh Cullen.
In fine conditions and looking to get back to winning ways, it was the Albion who
made the early running with wide players Anthony Knockaert and Alireza Jahan-
bakhsh prominent. The Seagulls had the first opportunity of the game when
Knockaert tried his luck from distance but West Ham goalkeeper Lukasz Fabianski
easily saved the Frenchman's shot. In the 14th minute the in-form Hammers front-
man Marko Arnautovic sent in a goal-bound shot from the edge of the area but Glenn
Murray got back to block the Austrian's effort. Knockaert then set up a chance for
Solly March but the winger's wayward effort sailed over the crossbar. The Albion
deservedly took the lead on 25 minutes when Andriy Yarmolenko lost possession of
the ball in his own half and in a flash Beram Kayal got clear on the left and sent in
a pinpoint cross to the far post where the unmarked Murray was waiting to tap the
ball past keeper Fabianski. The Seagulls supporters went wild with delight as
Murray notched his fifth Premier League goal of the season and his 99th career
goal for the Albion. 1-0. The Hammers attempt to level matters faltered when
midfielder Pedro Obiang saw his shot from distance just clear the bar. Just before
the break Murray teed up Jahanbakhsh but the Iranian's shot flashed over the
crossbar. Half-time 1-0.
Manager Pellegrini must have had words with his West Ham players at the
interval as they started the second-half on the front foot as Albion defender
Shane Duffy blocked Arnautovic's goal-bound strike and then Albion goalkeeper
Mathew Ryan saved another effort by Arnautovic. The Hammers then missed a
great chance to equalise when defender Fabian Balbuena headed wide from
Felipe Anderson's corner right in front of the posts. Murray then had two chances
to increase his team's lead, first heading over from Knockaert's corner and then
heading over March's pinpoint cross. In the closing moments Albion substitute
Jurgen Locadia unluckily had a goal disallowed for offside and at the other end
Arnautovic blasted a shot over the bar when well-placed. A hard-won three
points for the Seagulls. Final-score 1-0.
The Albion had 9 attempts at goal, with 4 on target and won 2 corners, free-
kicks conceded - 12. West Ham had 17 attempts at goal, with 4 on target and
won 9 corners, free-kicks conceded - 8.
VERDICT - A welcome three points for the Albion following a fine team display
against an in-form West Ham. Although missing key players Dale Stephens and
Pascal Gross, the team stepped up to the plate and delivered the goods against
a resurgent West Ham side. Both teams on the night missed clear-cut chances
but the Seagulls deserved their victory prior to going into the second international
break of the season.
Albion line-up (4-4-1-1):- Mathew Ryan; Bruno Saltor (Capt), Shane Duffy,
Lewis Dunk, Gaetan Bong; Anthony Knockaert, Beram Kayal, Davy Propper (Yves
Bissouma 81), Alireza Jahanbakhsh (Jose Izquierdo 71); Solly March (Jurgen
Locadia 86); Glenn Murray. Subs not used: David Button (G/K), Leon Balogun,
Bernardo, Florin Andone.
West Ham United line-up (4-1-4-1):- Lukasz Fabianski; Pablo Zabaleta,
Fabian Balbuena, Issa Diop, Arthur Masuaka; Declan Rice; Andriy Yarmolenko
(Lucas Perez 70), Mark Noble (Capt) (Robert Snodgrass 83), Pedro Obiang
(Michail Antonio 60), Felipe Anderson; Marko Arnautovic. Subs not used:
Adrian (G/K), Ryan Fredericks, Aaron Cresswell, Angelo Ogbonna.
Referee: Kevin Friend (Leicestershire). Assistant Referees: Matthew Wilkes
& Simon Beck. Fourth Official: Simon Hooper.
Yellow Cards: Albion: 3 - Shane Duffy, Alireza Jahanbakhsh, Beram Kayal.
West Ham United: 2 - Marko Arnautovic, Robert Snodgrass.
Possession: Albion - 35%. West Ham United - 65%.
Match Sponsor (Sky Construction Group) Albion Man of the Match: Beram
Kayal.
Attendance: 30544.
NEXT GAME:
20 OCTOBER 2018 - NEWCASTLE UNITED - AWAY - PREMIER LEAGUE.
Following the second international break, the Seagulls are off to Newcastle
United for their ninth Premier League game of the season. The Magpies have
taken 2 points from their first eight games of the campaign and will be
desperately seeking their first win of the season against the Albion. Newcastle
currently occupy 19th position in the Premier League, whilst the Seagulls are
in 13th spot with 8 points from 8 games. Last season the teams drew 0-0 at
St. James' Park on the 30 December 2017 and the Albion won 1-0 at the Amex
on the 24 September 2017, with Tomer Hemed scoring the deciding goal. With
50000 Geordies behind them, the Magpies will come out flying from the initial
whistle and the Seagulls might have to settle for a point in the end.
