Unusually devoid of creativity, Brighton were imprisoned within Nuno Espírito Santo’s tactical cage. Jarrod Bowen, West Ham’s talisman, had executed perfectly his manager’s counter‑attacking strategy. Nuno’s team were fighting their way towards safety, with three points appearing to be heading back to London.
Nuno’s plan was coming together so well that Bowen’s goal had been supplied by Callum Wilson, a substitute on the field for just 51 seconds. Yet the masterplan fell short. The Amex Stadium, home of late goals, staged another, Georginio Rutter squeezing in a stoppage-time equaliser for his first goal of the season to complete the type of madcap scramble commonplace at Brighton.
