Brighton’s Late Comeback Stuns West Ham in 3-2 Premier League Thriller

Match overview

Brighton entered the Saturday night clash needing a win to keep pace with the league’s top six. West Ham, meanwhile, arrived confident after a solid first‑half showing. The Seagulls wasted no time; Yasin Ayari’s low‑driven effort in the 13th minute curled into the top corner, giving the home crowd an early lift.

West Ham responded with patient buildup. A clever exchange on the right allowed Jarrod Bowen to whip in a cross, which Mohammed Kudus met with a calm finish three minutes after the break, restoring parity. The equaliser shifted momentum, and the Hammers pressed forward, creating several chances that tested Brighton keeper Bart Verbruggen.

At the 83rd minute, Tomáš Souček rose above the defense and headed the ball past Verbruggen, seemingly sealing a 2-1 win for the visitors. The stadium erupted, and many assumed the match was settled.

Key moments and player impact

Brighton’s resurgence began with a swift counter‑attack. Kaoru Mitoma timed his run perfectly, meeting a lofted ball from the midfield and heading it level with Areola in the 86th minute. The goal ignited the crowd and sparked a frantic final push.

Two minutes later, Carlos Baleba collected the ball on the edge of the box. Rather than opting for a safe pass, he unleashed a powerful strike that flew into the top corner, delivering Brighton’s first home Premier League goal of the season and completing the Brighton comeback. The goal, coming in the 92nd minute, underscored his growing confidence after earlier scores at Wolves, Chelsea and Fulham.

Bowen’s contributions cannot be ignored. He supplied both Souček goals with dangerous deliveries from the right flank, highlighting his role as a creative engine for West Ham. Yet the defensive lapses in the closing minutes—particularly a slow retreat of the back four—proved costly.

For Brighton, the win cements their reputation for resilience under current management. The side displayed tactical flexibility, shifting from a compact defensive shape to a rapid attacking transition once the opposition pushed forward. The victory adds three points to their tally and pushes them closer to a European spot.

West Ham’s disappointment fuels speculation around Graham Potter’s future. This marks the second instance this season where his side has ceded a lead in the dying stages, raising questions about in‑game adjustments and defensive organization.

Looking ahead, Brighton will aim to build on this momentum against the next round of fixtures, while West Ham must regroup quickly to avoid a slide down the table.