West Ham United suffered their heaviest defeat of the season in all competitions on Saturday afternoon with a 4-0 defeat to Brighton and Hove Albion at the Amex Stadium.
Brighton took the lead in the first half through Alexis Mac Allister's penalty, with substitutes Joel Veltman and Danny Welbeck completing the scoring after half-time either side of a tap-in for Kaoru Mitoma.
Here is how football.london’s West Ham United writer Jonty Colman rated the Hammers’ players against the Seagulls.
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Alphonse Areola
French goalkeeer Alphonse Areola was making only his second Premier League start in a West Ham shirt and his first since January 2022, ending a 14-month wait with Lukasz Fabianski facing a month out of action. A Premier League start to forget for Areola. Went the right way to try and save the first, making a good to deny Solly March shortly after. To concede four is something that will not go in his favour in his battle to keep the shirt, especially with Mitoma and Veltman tapping from close range. Beaten too easily by Danny Welbeck to make it 4-0, especially having given the ball away in the build-up to it. 5
Ben Johnson
Ben Johnson kept his place on the right side of the back four, with both Vladimir Coufal and Thilo Kehrer not in the matchday squad. Possibly the worst indiviudal performance of the season. Somehow lost Mitoma for the penalty in the first half, despite not even being challenged for a long ball by him. Left Veltman unmarked at a corner for the Dutchman to make it 2-0. Mitoma then got away from him at the end of a brilliant team move to tap in at the back post. A shocking display. 3
Nayef Aguerd
After having a hand in all three of Manchester United's goals on Wednesday night, Moroccan centre-back Nayef Aguerd will have been keen to avenge his errors from less than 72 hours earlier. Aguerd did not do a lot wrong in the game but was part of a back four that conceded four goals to Brighton. Made a few important and needed tackles, but nothing close to his best. 5
Angelo Ogbonna
In a game against Brighton, managed by Italian Roberto De Zerbi, centre-back Angelo Ogbonna was one of two Italian players in the starting 11. Like Aguerd, was not really at fault for any of the goals, although could have done better when trying to head away a corner that led to Veltman making it 2-0. Got injured when attempting to make a block, forcing him off. 5
Emerson
Having got a rare start at left-back in a back four against the Red Devils, Italian Emerson was kept in the same position for the trip to the south coast. Had a tricky task against Solly March down his side, with the Italian forced into plenty of defending in the first half. When he did get forward, he lacked the quality of his crosses to try and get through Brighton. 5
Tomas Soucek
Czech Republic international Tomas Soucek had a hand in West Ham's goal at Old Trafford on Wednesday night, seeming to dribble the ball out of play, before passing to Emerson, who set up the Algerian. Had one of two chances in the first half when his shot forced a save out of Jason Steele. Brighton completely dominated the midfield, more so in the second half. Booked for lunging in on Moises Caicedo, perhaps fortunate not to get more for it. Taken off after it was made 3-0. 6
Declan Rice
Declan Rice's bounced volley pass in the first half eventually led to a chance for the Hammers at 1-0 down. Really struggled against the midfield of Gross, Mac Allister and Caicedo. Booked out of frustration shortly after Bowen was not awarded a penalty with a sliding tackle made in frustration on Mac Allister. A game where he needed to be at his best, but he was not even close. 5
Lucas Paqueta (Star man)
While West Ham's players struggled to keep the ball often in the first half, one of a few that looked like making something happen was Brazilian Lucas Paqueta, who drew a couple of fouls out of his opponents with quick thinking an clever movement. Played in Soucek on goal to give him one of West Ham's few attacking chances in the first half. Less effective in the second half, but still more effective in the first than virtually all of West Ham's players were. 6
Jarrod Bowen
Winger Jarrod Bowen was one of two players recalled to the starting 11 after only coming off the bench in midweek due to a knock. His clumsy first half challenge on Kaoru Mitoma won Brighton their first half penalty, which Mac Allister coolly converted. Did force a good save out of Steele with a first half counter attack shortly after giving away the penalty. Booked for diving in the second half when he thought he could have won a penalty. A very poor performance by his standards. 5
Danny Ings
Two of Danny Ings' eight Premier League goals for the season ahead of kick-off came against Brighton in November for former club Aston Villa at the Amex Stadium, hoping to recreate a similar performance in the claret and blue of West Ham. Could not really do a lot given his lack of service, Paqueta found his runs a couple of times, but either Paqueta slightly overhit his pass or Ings lacked the yard of pace. Played the full 90, not really much else he could do. 5
Said Benrahma
Fans were chanting the name of Said Benrahma when he was taken off for Pablo Fornals at half-time. Overhit and rushed passes at times and while he showed plenty of intent, he lacked the required quality to go with it. Quite the drop from a star man showing at Old Trafford three days ago, but hardly the worst of West Ham's players. 5
Substitutes
Pablo Fornals
On at half-time for Benrahma. Pablo Fornals tried to press and make things happen, doing okay at moving it from right to left, but lacking the ability to unlock Brighton's defence. 5
Kurt Zouma
French centre-back Kurt Zouma made his first apppearance in six weeks when replacing Ogbonna, who went off injured in the second half. Bought on moments before the third goal went in. 5
Flynn Downes
Midfielder Flynn Downes was bought on for 15 minutes at the end to try and tighten up the midfield. Did little to change things. 5
Manuel Lanzini
Argentine Manuel Lanzini was also given a rare outing alongside Downes for the final portion. 5
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