Brighton & Hove Albion manager Fabian Hurzeler delivered a brutally honest assessment of his team's performance, labelling it disappointing, despite seeing his side score a last-gasp equaliser against West Ham United.
"We didn't deserve more" - Hurzeler's blunt verdict
The Seagulls rescued a point in dramatic fashion at the Amex Stadium on Sunday, 7th December 2025, but their German head coach was far from satisfied. Georginio Rutter found the net in the first minute of stoppage time, with the goal surviving a VAR check for a potential handball.
This late intervention cancelled out a clever sliding finish from West Ham's Jarrod Bowen, who had put the visitors ahead and seemingly on course for all three points.
"Overall, it was a disappointing result. We wanted more but didn't deserve more, especially after the first-half performance," Hurzeler stated post-match. "We didn't have energy or intensity – there were no connections. We started playing football after we conceded a goal."
He pinpointed the source of Bowen's strike as particularly frustrating, adding: "Their goal was definitely avoidable. It came from our mistake so it's disappointing." The manager did offer some praise for goalscorer Rutter, hoping the strike would boost his confidence for future games.
Bowen gutted as victory slips away
For West Ham, the late concession turned what felt like a certain victory into a deflating draw. Speaking to Sky Sports, match-winner-turned-draw-feeler Jarrod Bowen expressed his dejection.
"I am gutted, it feels like a loss," Bowen admitted. "We did so much to get into the lead. We sat back too far and invited the pressure. You wanted to protect the lead but we gave them too much. We got a point but it feels like a loss."
The Hammers forward also referenced a recurring theme, noting: "They have scored lots of late goals against us in the past." His comments underscored a missed opportunity for Nuno Espirito Santo's side to secure a valuable away win.
Consequences of a shared point
The 1-1 draw leaves both teams reflecting on what might have been. For Brighton, Hurzeler's public criticism signals clear standards that were not met, despite the late salvage operation. The performance highlighted issues with intensity and cohesion that the manager will be eager to address before their next fixture.
For West Ham, the result represents a point gained but two points lost from a winning position, a scenario that will concern manager Nuno as they head back to London. The team's ability to manage games in the closing stages will likely come under scrutiny in training.
The shared spoils mean both clubs must quickly regroup as the demanding Premier League schedule continues, with the focus shifting to their next challenges.
