West Ham’s Struggles Persist Despite Draw Against Brighton

West Ham United halted a three-match losing streak by securing a commendable point in their 2-2 draw against Brighton & Hove Albion on Tuesday evening.

The match began with West Ham’s captain, Jarrod Bowen, giving his team an early lead, only for it to be equalized by Brighton’s Danny Welbeck. Irons midfielder Lucas Paquetá then restored West Ham’s advantage with a penalty following a handball by Lewis Dunk inside the area.

However, West Ham could not maintain their lead as Brighton defender Joel Veltman scored at the back post following a corner. West Ham’s appeals for a foul on goalkeeper Alphonse Areola during the buildup were dismissed by the officials.

This result leaves Nuno Espirito Santo’s side without a win in their last eight league matches, having drawn and lost four games each. Since Nuno took over from Graham Potter at the end of September, West Ham has failed to keep a clean sheet in any of the 14 league matches under his management.

Adding to the troubling atmosphere at the London Stadium, West Ham fans continue to protest against owner David Sullivan and the club’s management, expressing concerns over poor recruitment following their victory in the 2023 Conference League.

As questions loom about West Ham’s ability to avoid relegation to the Championship, there are calls for the club to vacate the London Stadium if they fail to remain in the Premier League. Ex-footballer Jamie O’Hara, speaking on talkSPORT alongside former Liverpool winger Jermaine Pennant, remarked, “What is going on at West Ham? They are terrible.”

When Pennant noted that the London Stadium would be the largest in the Championship if West Ham were to be relegated, O’Hara asserted, “They shouldn’t be allowed that ground. They would have to vacate and share with Leyton Orient or something. It’s unacceptable to have the Olympic Stadium in the Championship. It’s unacceptable.”

O’Hara further expressed doubts about West Ham’s ability to escape the relegation zone, stating, “I’m not convinced they can get out of the bottom three; I think they’re gone.”

Pennant echoed these concerns, highlighting the competitive nature of the teams surrounding West Ham in the standings.

A potential lifeline for West Ham may come with the opening of the January transfer window, set to commence on New Year’s Day. After the draw with Brighton, manager Nuno emphasized the need to “rebalance our squad” during the winter transfer period, particularly as the match concluded with three academy graduates—Freddie Potts, Oliver Scarles, and substitute Ezra Mayers—on the pitch.

“I am pleased for the young players, because they are providing assistance not only today but also in training sessions,” Nuno stated. “However, it’s clear that we need to make the right moves in a very challenging transfer window.”

West Ham will next face fellow relegation strugglers Wolves on Saturday, with Wolves having recently secured their first point under new head coach Rob Edwards in a 1-1 draw against Manchester United. Three days later, West Ham is set to host 17th-placed Nottingham Forest in what is emerging as a critical match for both teams.