Never Mind The Invincibles, Meet The Impenetrables: 5 Takeaways From West Ham’s Win At Brighton

Another 3-1 to the cockney boys. What did we learn as West Ham put a decisive end to the Brighton hoodoo?

We’re Sitting On Top of The Table

Well, it looks like the title is shaping up to be a two-horse race. A tactical battle between England’s two reigning European champions. I hadn’t expected the Hammers to hit the front so early and we can only hope they don’t bottle it like Arsenal did last season. All that is needed to make it the perfect bank holiday weekend is for those friendly Blades to derail the Manchester City charge when the two teams meet at Bramall Lane. The Hammers can then spend a week looking forward to Fantastic Friday with an away win at Luton, exciting deadline day signings, and a favourable Europa League group stage draw.  

Brighton Owned By Minimalist Possession

In the age of deep thinking, philosophical football coaches, David Moyes’ post-minimalist approach to possession could easily be misinterpreted as a retrospective pastiche of a lost and forgotten game😉Perhaps it will come back in fashion like cardigans and Oxford bags. Many supporters are conflicted by the style of play but when it works so clinically, and you see a game plan executed brilliantly (against a team you never beat), then what’s not to like? We should be buzzing! It was the right tactics for the occasion and until the Hammer’s legs tired late on, Brighton could find no way through. In the goal, at the back and through the middle, West Ham were the “Impenetrables”. But unlike last season when attempts at attacking pizazz had gone missing, bodies were suddenly getting into the box quickly in support of counterattacks. The statistic of just 13 completed passes in the opening 30 minutes is one best brushed under the carpet of success – for now!

Smells Like Team Spirit

The most striking takeaway from two unexpected wins in seven days has been the obviously outstanding team spirit. An unbreakable bond seems to have been carried over from the Europa Conference triumph. It hadn’t been transferred to Arsenal as an add-on to the Rice deal after all. There may have been individual stand-out moments in the game, but every player gave their all for the cause. Resilience and commitment aren’t coached on the training ground but come from the heart. Well done, the team! It’s so far, so good with the new recruits as well. Edson Alvarez put in a great shift patrolling in front of the back four and dropping back into it when required. He should have been replaced before he was as his legs had clearly gone by the time of the Brighton goal. And what a introduction to West Ham for James Ward-Prowse. Great to see him get forward so quickly and to poach his first Hammer’s goal. Shame about the half-hearted golf swing celebration – that one was hooked straight into the rough.  

The Goal As A Thing Of Beauty

Occasionally, you will see a goal conceived in joy and performed at leisure. Where artistry and elegance meet simplicity. And so it was with West Ham’s second yesterday. Michail Antonio picking up the ball deep in his own defensive third. A stroked pass to Said Benrahma along the left wing. Benny, composed and aware, picking the ideal moment to deliver as runners sprinted into the penalty area. The cross inch perfect, sublimely controlled first time by Jarrod Bowen and stroked into the corner of the net. Precision and perfection – and reminiscent of a goal Liverpool scored against us a year or so ago. The 3rd goal was almost (but not quite) as good. This time Bowen playing in Antonio to drive home.

West Ham’s Number One

Yesterday was probably the day that Alphonse Areola finally made the number one gloves his personal property. Not particularly over-worked in the first half (and guilty of one very messy fumble) he came into his own in the closing minutes with a spectacular demonstration of shot stopping. Reflex saves from Veltman and Ferguson were from the very top drawer. The TV director unkindly zooming in on the rueful gaze of Lukasz Fabianski sitting on the bench. A special mention also for Benrahma. Pablo Fornals had seemed the obvious choice to replace the battered Tomas Soucek, but the choice of Benny did not disappoint. One of his most assured performances in the claret and blue.  

Player Ratings: Areola (9), Coufal (7), Zouma (8), Ogbonna (7), Emerson (7), Alvarez (7), Ward-Prowse (8), Soucek (6), Paqueta (8), Bowen (8), Antonio (8) Sub: Benrahma (8)

14 thoughts on “Never Mind The Invincibles, Meet The Impenetrables: 5 Takeaways From West Ham’s Win At Brighton”

  1. HI GEOFF, GREAT RESULT, COULD HAVE BEEN BY MORE GOALS, EVERY PLAYER WAS GREAT, IM NOW HOPING, THAT AFTER BEATING OUR JINX TEAM, WE DONT GO ON TO DO A VERY WEST HAM THING, BY LOSING TO LUTON.
    LUTON ARE A VERY TALL SIDE, NUMBER 11 LOOKS LIKE A GIANT, AND 14 IS VERY DANGEROUS, HOPE TO SEE US ON A MORE ATTACKING FRONT ON FRIDAY, ANTONIO AND KOUDAS UP FRONT.

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    1. It will be very interesting to see how Moyes approaches the Luton game. I’d rather not be playing them as their first home fixture of the season but we should be going in to the match as favourites. A chance to return to the top of the table

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  2. Band of brothers stuff! If the players are good enough and – like Alvarez and JWP – fit the plan it can, as we know, work and be exciting to watch. Benrahma’s composure and pinpoint pass to Bowen, followed by the latter’s sensational finish, will live long in the memory – and so will that Paqueta shoulder charge!

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    1. Ha! The Paqueta shoulder charge was a very retro moment. Thought it had died out in the 1970s. The Brighton player look stunned. A thoroughly enjoyable watch

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  4. Hi Geoff, as always an excellent article. These last weeks I have gone from WH deep depression what with winning and even more the signings, almost unbelievable seeming quality. The only problem will be where Moyes expects them to play?? I thought we desperately needed at least one top young full back? I cannot believe M will change his spots but even I have to conceed that they have played the last two games looking as though they have joined together in team spirit. What a summer this would be if we appointed a top class manager and found that young full back. Mibatch WHFE

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    1. Thanks Michael, intrigued to discover where Moyes intends to play Kudus. The natural inclination is to see him as an upgrade to Benrahma but Kudus has hardly ever operated on the left hand side for Ajax. If reports are to be believed, we are now looking at strikers again. Interesting times!

      West Ham have a habit of viewing full-backs – or at least decent ones – as an optional extra. Like it was a game over the park and the kid who really isn’t any good gets to play there. Emerson has won me over a bit recently. Not the best defender but useful going forward. I think we are weaker on the right hand side where none of the available options offers width in attack. Two new full-backs would be good, but I would prioritise right-back if forced to choose. We’ll know by Friday.

      Moyes here for the season now – unless something drastic happens. Geoff

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      1. Hi Geoff, thanks for response and I fear you are right about Moyes because the thought of having to get rid of hime (Because of results) are too horrific to contemplate. My utopia would have been Moyes leaving immediately after Euro win but he is too conceited and narrow minded tp see the that. My current nightmare is that Linguard will be allowed back late on Friday night, Moyes first name on team sheet thereafter. Shutting up now. Regards Michael Gbatch

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      2. Agree with your/Michael’s points about full backs. We are currently a counter-attaking team so it’s vital to have full backs who defend well and are a threat going forward.

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  6. We do have Kehrer, and I thought he was beginning to look like the decent player I always thought he was at the back – end of last season. Suddenly, not a sniff. He has pace and a good passing range, not sure about his crossing. The boy Maatsen might still be an option at LB and sounds like an interesting choice, although Ihave never seen him play.
    The striker situation is SO West Ham. Top priority at the start of the window and still not a real deal in sight with two days to go!!

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    1. I would agree that Kehrer is a decent defender but none of the right backs in the squad offers the attacking pace or width that the team needs under Moyes system. With just a few days to go we definitely look light in the striker and full-back positions

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