West Ham 1 Brighton 1: Mohammed Kudus grabs the limelight with goal and celebration in Christmas snoozefest
Share:
Sponsored by. 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.
![[Mohammed Kudus spared West Ham's blushes in a 1-1 draw against Brighton]](https://www.thesun.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/mohammed-kudus-west-ham-united-959000517.jpg?strip=all&w=960)
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.
![[The Seagulls took the lead in the stalemate but were pegged back immediately]](https://www.thesun.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/2024-brighton-hove-albions-mats-958998552.jpg?strip=all&w=960)
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. FOOTBALL FREE BETS AND SIGN UP DEALS. 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.
![[Mats Wieffer gave Brighton the lead in the 51st minute]](https://www.thesun.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/2024-brighton-hove-albions-mats-958998191.jpg?strip=all&w=960)
