by A challenging Christmas is over for David Moyes and although it was profitable in points for West Ham, they checked out playing the kind of game that feels like certainty of victory and less than satisfactory on a night like this.
With just two West Ham attempts on Brighton’s goal and only 32 per cent possession involved it was not an evening to get the pulses of the East London faithful racing – albeit an effective one no doubt. Roberto De Zerbi’s side did their best to win this game and although they went away with a final, at least they posted their first clean sheet in the Premier League since April.
No consolation for De Zerbi. “You’re happy with a clean sheet,” he said, “just the clean sheet [obsession] It’s your problem and not mine because today we deserved to win. We played a great game – one of the best in my time here. West Ham are very good on the counter and we played a smart game … we didn’t give up any chances on that counter attack.”
West Ham beat Brighton at the Amex Stadium in August playing on the counter and saw no reason to change a plan that had also seen them win against Manchester United and Arsenal in the previous ten days. The rumble was low at the final whistle, although Moyes reckoned it was another good night’s work with his team in sixth and ten points from five games in 16 days.
Although it was worth admitting that this was not a memorable evening. “If you want to talk about the other games [over Christmas] that would be great because it would be better than tonight,” he said. For the first time the team was, Moyes admitted, “jaded and tired”.
He was critical of the scheduling of the game which meant Mohammed Kudus could not play if he was fit – due to the Africa Cup of Nations availability window. An odd point since the Ghanaian is listed as injured, and Moyes would not confirm whether he would play against Brighton if he were available. But he was determined to make the point anyway. “I’m just throwing a little bait out there,” he said.
Likewise, the Asian Cup and AFCON are a cause for concern for De Zerbi who has many players absent and carrying injuries. His previous comment about Japan’s call-up for the injured Kaoru Mitoma has already caused a stir in Japanese football. This time De Zerbi solemnly pleaded that their national teams treated Mitoma equally, as well as Tariq Lamptey and Simon Adingra. “I want to play them [for their countries],” said De Zerbi, “unless that is the best decision.”
Not the strongest night in Premier League football, even if Brighton tried to pick up the pace. They might have won it in the latter stages – or indeed in the earlier stages – but Moyes’ players maintain a counter-attacking threat that makes all opposition think twice. Even as committed to the purity of their approach as Brighton are.
West Ham felt this experienced – Moysian’s conservatism against an opponent that didn’t really get tested. But goalless draws at the London Stadium are rare in the Premier League. West Ham’s last away game was in September 2018, against Chelsea. For those supporters who would like to see more ambition, there will be little consolation.
Moyes was then asked what the January window would look like for West Ham – and his reply was that it is likely to be quiet. Without Kudus and Lucas Paqueta injured, he has to rely on the hours, Said Benrahma and Pablo Fornals, and the difference was stark. At sixth in the table there was a hint of regret that West Ham would not push on. “I’m not saying we won’t if things are there for us,” Moyes said – although that seemed to be exactly what he was saying.
In the last phase of the game De Zerbi’s team tried to turn the screw. Alphonse Areola did well with a right-footed shot from Brighton substitute Adam Lallana. Both teams were depleted of first-choice players and both stuck to what they know best. For De Zerbi players who were demanding the ball and passing it for long periods. For West Ham it was mostly letting their visitors do what they wanted and then seeing what could be snaffled on the move.
De Zerbi has nine hundred injured in their absence. On his bench were three 19-year-old academy boys and one 20-year-old. For West Ham, Moyes named three teenage academy boys on the bench and another, Levi Laing, who is 20. He has seven hundred team injuries and absences including Kudus.
There was a chance – a chance that fell on James Ward-Prowse’s left foot rather than his right, and saved. A fine ball to the back post from James Milner, operating at left-back in De Zerbi’s 3-4-2-1 formation, was headed towards goal by Pascal Gross and saved. Joao Pedro slipped his way past Edson Alvarez, Dinos Mavropanos and Angelo Ogbonna before hitting a shot that was just as inaccurate as the beautiful run that preceded it.
Tomas Soucek somehow failed to touch the back post when Benrahma’s cross was deflected to him. That was on 61 minutes and was West Ham’s last chance of the afternoon. By then they seemed content to stick to the point.
