NEW DELHI:
West Ham United
missed the opportunity for a fourth consecutive
Premier League
victory as they ended the festive fixtures with a lackluster 0-0 draw at home against Brighton & Hove Albion on Tuesday.
Both teams had a chance to climb up the league table, with Brighton hoping for a win to overtake West Ham into sixth place. However, the match at the London Stadium proved to be a dull affair, with few clear-cut opportunities for either side.
Pascal Gross had a golden opportunity to give Brighton the lead just before halftime, but his header was well-saved by West Ham's goalkeeper Alphonse Areola.
In the dying moments of the game, Adam Lallana came close to securing a late winner for Brighton.
For West Ham, Pablo Fornals squandered a chance after the break, and Tomas Soucek's effort went wide.
Despite missing key players like Mohammed Kudus, who is bound for the African Cup of Nations, and the injured Lucas Paqueta, West Ham seemed content with the draw, holding onto sixth place with 34 points from 20 games.
Brighton, securing their first clean sheet of the season in the league, moved up to seventh place, overtaking
Manchester United
on goal difference with 31 points.
While the match may not be remembered for its excitement, both teams enter the New Year with optimism, considering their potential for European honors and the challenge for a top-six finish in the Premier League.
"It was disappointing from our point of view because I think we controlled the game and created enough chances," commented Brighton's experienced midfielder James Milner, who made his 632nd Premier League appearance in this fixture, tying with Ryan Giggs.
West Ham boss David Moyes acknowledged the missed chances but expressed satisfaction with the overall performance, stating, "It's been a really good Christmas period, three wins and a draw. No complaints."
(With inputs from Reuters)
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