Brighton and West Ham delivered a thrilling spectacle in Matchweek 34, with the Seagulls edging out a 3-2 victory at the Amex. Goals, momentum swings, and sharp attacking moments lit up the game, but Brighton’s clinical edge proved decisive. The last 10 minutes of the match were especially action packed. West Ham scored the go ahead goal with just minutes remaining in regular time only to have Brighton equalize, just minutes later. Minutes after that, in extra time, they took the lead and won.

Important Stat Breakdown

Brighton outshot West Ham 17 to 10 and slightly edged possession 51% to 49%. In expected goals (xG), Brighton totaled 1.56 against West Ham’s 1.37, showing just how fine the margins were. Brighton’s 9 shots on target kept Alphonse Areola busy, while West Ham made their own opportunities count with a strong 2-goal return from 3 shots on target.

Corners were a key battlefront too, with Brighton winning 8 to West Ham’s 1, reflecting sustained periods of attacking pressure from the hosts.

Match Momentum

The momentum graph showed both teams trading blows in bursts. Brighton drew first blood, but West Ham fought back quickly after halftime with a goal from Mohammed Kudus. The final stretch belonged to Brighton though, with Kaoru Mitoma and Carlos Baleba striking late to tip the scales after Tomáš Sou?ek had put West Ham ahead. A late surge from Brighton flipped the match at the death.

Shots Taken and Shots on Goal

Brighton’s shot maps tell the story of relentless probing inside and around the box. Three different goal scorers, and a high volume of shots from dangerous areas, highlighted their front-foot approach.

West Ham, while posting fewer shots overall, made theirs count. Their two goals came from prime central areas, one with an xG of 0.54 – an excellent high-percentage look finished by Kudus. However, six of their attempts missed the target altogether, limiting their ability to put Brighton under sustained pressure.

In Possession Tactics: Pass Maps

Brighton’s pass map reveals a tightly knit midfield engine. The structure enabled quick shifts of play and vertical passing that gradually wore down West Ham’s defensive shape.

West Ham’s pass map showed a deeper, more cautious buildup. Kilman and Mavropanos recycled possession through the back, but progression into midfield was often narrow and congested. Lucas Paquetá and James Ward-Prowse had flashes of influence but found themselves isolated at times as West Ham focused more on vertical directness and counter-attack setups.