FT: West Ham 0-3 Brighton: Murray, Seagulls slap Bilic & Hammers into new major questions

West Ham United suffered an ugly 3-0 home defeat to Brighton & Hove Albion Friday evening at the London Stadium, as there will be many questions again now with Slaven Bilic’s job following that performance.

Brighton were the side playing with a bit more desire to begin the game, and where awarded in the 10th minute, when Glenn Murray got free to finish off a delightful set piece from Pascal Gross to put the visitors up.

After Murray’s tally, West Ham dominated posession throughout the half, but could not really test Mathew Ryan’s goal, as Chris Hughton’s side proved impervious with many great blocks and challenges from their organized setup. That allowed Brighton to deliver a sucker punch second goal, when big signing Jose Izquierdo delivered a terrific hit that Joe Hart almost saved but couldn’t. 2-0 Brighton, and the boos rung around halftime at the London Stadium.

Obviously desperate, the Hammers pushed in the second half to get back into the game, as Andre Ayew came on for Cheikhou Kouyate before the resumption. But Brighton’s defense continued to prove extremely stubborn for Bilic’s side to handle, and a disheartening third came afoot for Brighton. The always energetic Pablo Zabaleta couldn’t stop himself from colliding into the clever Murray in the box, as the forward made it a brace with his penalty finish past Hart in the 75th minute.

It will be many questions for Bilic to endure. If he is to get another game after this rough result, then West Ham’s next game will be a second contest against Tottenham this season, in the EFL Cup on Wednesday at Wembley Stadium.