West Ham had Marko Arnautovic to thank as he inspired them to a 2-2 comeback draw with Brighton and Hove Albion.
Marko Arnautovic scored twice in two minutes as West Ham came from behind to secure a 2-2 Premier League draw with Brighton and Hove Albion. An impotent West Ham display looked set to be punished midway through the second half, when quickfire goals from Dale Stephens and Shane Duffy put Brighton in control.
But Manuel Pellegrini’s side responded well and, after scoring his first goal since November 3 to haul the hosts back into the contest, Arnautovic leveled proceedings in the 68th minute.
“We kept believing.”https://t.co/YnogfIrdJ8
— West Ham United (@WestHamUtd) January 2, 2019
Michail Antonio and Declan Rice almost completed the turnaround in the closing stages, but Brighton held firm to frustrate their hosts. Martin Montoya’s error gifted West Ham their first chance, but Felipe Anderson snatched at his first-time strike, while Lewis Dunk was perhaps fortunate that his clumsy challenge on Arnautovic did not lead to a penalty prior to the break. But it was the visitors who struck first – Stephens hammering in on the half-volley after West Ham failed to clear a corner.
West Ham’s misery was compounded two minutes later, their set-piece frailties again haunting them when Duffy escaped his marker before expertly turning home.
