Two goals from Glenn Murray and a strike by Jose Izquierdo condemned West Ham United to a 3-0 defeat at home to Brighton and Hove Albion.
In a disappointing evening at London Stadium the Irons, despite controlling the possession, were made to pay for mistakes that Chris Hughton’s Seagulls pounced on.
Murray headed home after just 10 minutes and Izquierdo fired home from distance to put Brighton 2-0 up at half-time, and a penalty in the second period secured the points for the away team.
The first real meaningful chance of the game provided the first goal. A well-placed ball in from a free-kick by Brighton’s Pascal Gross evaded the West Ham defence, finding Murray, who was able to head into the ground and past Joe Hart after just ten minutes.
With a goal to their name Brighton seemed comfortable sitting back, protecting their lead, and inviting pressure from the Hammers. Arthur Masuaku saw a shot from distance blocked while a well-timed tackle on Manuel Lanzini stopped the Argentinian from shooting in a dangerous area.
Two efforts from outside the area by Pedro Obiang were also dealt with by the Seagulls before Chicharito had a half-volleyed shot deflected away and then a low effort skid just wide of the far post.
These missed chances came back to haunt the home side however and Izquierdo doubled the away team’s tally just before half-time with a long-ranged effort that Hart could not keep out, despite getting a hand to the ball.
The second half, much like the first, started with West Ham controlling possession but struggled to get through a resolute Brighton team.
Lanzini saw two free-kicks miss the target as one went over the bar and the other deflected wide of the near post.
West Ham’s miserable evening was compounded 15 minutes before the end as Brighton were awarded a penalty, which Murray comfortably dispatched for his second and his side’s third of the game.
West Ham United: Hart; Zabaleta, Reid (c), Fonte, Masuaku; Obiang, Kouyate (Ayew 46’), Antonio, Lanzini, Arnautovic (Fernandes 73’); Chicharito
Subs not used: Adrian, Cresswell, Ogbonna, Byram, Noble
Brighton: Ryan, Bruno (c), Bong, Dunk, Stephens, Knockaert (Schelotto 84’), Gross (Brown 77’), Murray, Izquierdo (March 69’), Duffy, Propper
Subs not used: Krul, Goldson, Suttner, Molumby
Goals: Murray 10 75’ (p)’, Izquierdo 45 +1’