By Huldah Shado
Brighton forward Georginio Rutter scored deep into stoppage time to deny West Ham a vital victory in a dramatic 1-1 Premier League draw on Sunday at the Amex Stadium.
Jarrod Bowen had fired West Ham ahead in the second half, putting the relegation-threatened Hammers on the brink of climbing out of the bottom three. But with virtually the last kick of the match, Rutter pounced on a loose ball to level, leaving West Ham stranded in 18th place-two points behind Nottingham Forest.
The late setback was painful for Nuno Espirito Santo’s side, who have now lost just once in six league games since the Portuguese manager replaced Graham Potter in September, raising hopes of survival.
Brighton, beaten 4-3 by Aston Villa midweek, stay seventh and remain in the hunt for European football.
Played in heavy rain, the contest was scrappy. Brighton goalkeeper Bart Verbruggen kept his side in it with several key stops, including a superb double save early in the second half.
West Ham eventually broke through in the 73rd minute after Jan Paul van Hecke’s poor back-header allowed Callum Wilson to set up Bowen for a low finish.
Brighton piled forward late on, and after Alphonse Areola made two quick saves, Rutter reacted fastest to slam home the equaliser.
In Sunday’s other fixture, Crystal Palace could move up to fourth if they beat Fulham later in the evening.
