West Ham player ratings vs Brighton: Alphonse Areola preserves point as Said Benrahma frustration grows
There were no New Year's fireworks for West Ham as they played out a tame goalless draw against Brighton to begin 2024.
The Hammers flattered to deceive missing so many key players, with Kurt Zouma and Lucas Paqueta both absent through injury and each of Nayef Aguerd and Mohammed Kudus now off to the Africa Cup of Nations in January.
Bar an exciting 10-minute West Ham spell in an otherwise lacklustre first half, Brighton were the better side for much of the night and were the only team pushing to win late on, only for the hosts to hang in and secure a fourth successive clean sheet to stay sixth in the Premier League table.
Here's how David Moyes's side rated at the London Stadium...
Made three decent, if expected, saves to keep score goalless at the break, then a sharp one from Danny Welbeck after the interval.
Ben Johnson 6
Handed a first league start of the season with Vladimir Coufal ill. Acquitted himself well enough to suggest someone may pick up a decent signing if he is sold this month. Booked.
Konstantinos Mavropanos 7
A threat in the Brighton box and presence at the back is growing with run of games, too.
Angelo Ogbonna 6
Lost his man for a couple of Brighton chances, most notably failing to track Pascal Gross's run. Played his part in another clean sheet, though.
Emerson 6
Much less effective going forward without the Paqueta link. Dribbled a tame effort wide early on.
James Ward-Prowse 7
Struck a decent volley on weak foot but denied by Jason Steele. Set-pieces caused their usual problems.
Edson Alvarez 7
Reads the game so well and is going from strength to strength.
Tomas Soucek 5
Missed a glorious chance to score from inside six yards after Billy Gilmour deflection.
Pablo Fornals 5
Looks short of confidence, perhaps understandably. Hesitant in possession.
Jarrod Bowen 6
The one member of West Ham's regular front three available. Struck the post with effort subsequently flagged offside.
Said Benrahma 5
One touch too many, too often. Crowd grew frustrated with his delayed decision-making.
Substitutes
Divin Mubama (Benrahma 73') 6
Got a great ovation but most of his work came in helping defence keep Brighton at bay.
Unused: Fabianski, Cresswell, Casey, Laing, Coventry, Orford, Cornet, Ings
