West Ham 1 Brighton 1: Mohammed Kudus grabs the limelight with goal and celebration in Christmas snoozefest
FOR a long time it felt like Christmas shopping in Stratford would have been more fun than this.
It really was that bad at times.
But thankfully there are still a few showmen about and Mohammed Kudus is always happy to grab the limelight.
Not only with his equaliser, cancelling out Mats Wieffer’s first Brighton goal, but in his celebration too.
Everyone now knows to expect Kudus to find somewhere to perch and take a breather after scoring – but now he is bringing along his very own stool in the shape of an elephant.
Kudus’ goal ended a difficult week for Julen Lopetegui, who lost his father on Tuesday, with another result to ease the pressure.
None of it has been spectacular, but the Hammers are now unbeaten in three ahead of facing Southampton on Boxing Day.
The London Stadium has never been the most imposing of venues.
But there was a particular air of everyone wanting to be somewhere else across a desperate first half.
The opening 45 minutes was best summed up by Carlos Baleba kicking his own teammate, Jean Paul van Hecke, in the head and Pervis Estupinan falling on his backside when lining up a rare shot.
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Thankfully, things improved after the break.
That defensive stability, the only real positive from West Ham’s first half, vanished not long after the restart.
Hurzeler’s men found a way through, though Lopetegui will have plenty to say about it.
A quick Brighton corner was poorly cleared by Emerson Palmieri to Seagulls full-back Pervis Estupinian.
The Colombian lifted a dangerous cross to the far post, where Dunk met it with a header at the expense of Lukasz Fabianski.
Dunk’s barge sent the Pole tumbling, meaning he was helpless to stop as Wieffer finished low into an empty net from 13 yards.
If it had been a defender Dunk had challenged there would have been no issue, but given the protection goalkeepers usually have – it was surprising to see the goal stand.
The injustice at least brought West Ham to life.
They had not shown any intensity during the dreary first half, but finally had a bit of zip to their play – which sparked the opener.
Tomas Soucek pinged a sharp, first time ball into the feet of Jarrod Bowen.
The England man put the Brighton defence into reverse and found some space for a shot.
Bart Verbruggen managed a save but the rebound fell for Kudus to nod in before he sought out his bizarre stool for his trademark celebration.
There have been rumblings that the Ghana international, West Ham’s most valuable asset, could be sold in January to fund investment.
But that would be foolish.
The former Ajax man is one they look to in order to dig them from a hole in situations like this.
With no real system in place, Lucas Paqueta too often disinterested and no in form striker, it is usually down to Kudus or Bowen to make something happen.
Bowen cannot do it alone.
Crysencio Summerville, introduced as a sub, offers flashes but cannot yet be trusted to start.
Lopetegui hoped that Fullkrug’s first start for the club would boost the attacking options.
But the German offered next to nothing, losing the ball under little pressure and causing no issue for the Brighton defence.
Investment in that area is, as usual, a priority for West Ham in January.
Brighton, too, look like they need something to spark them back into life.
The Seagulls’ run without a win drags on. They continued to create openings but things are no longer falling for them as they did earlier this season.
Yasin Ayari twice drew good saves from Lukasz Fabianski, the second deep in stoppage time.
Yankuba Minteh raced down the right but saw his shot rattle the inside of the post before hitting Mitoma and bouncing away from goal while Evan Ferguson failed to connect with fine cross yards from goal.
They could not find any sort of momentum and needed Verbruggen to save sharply from Edson Alvarez late on to protect their record of having never lost at this stadium.
Both sides remain in somewhat of a muddle, both knowing they could be so much better.