David Moyes thrilled with West Ham’s draw against Brighton

LONDON – West Ham United manager David Moyes accepted that all good things must come to an end, as his side missed out on a fourth successive English Premier League victory after a drab 0-0 draw at home to Brighton & Hove Albion on Jan 2.

Brighton would have moved above West Ham into sixth place with a victory but chances were few and far between at the London Stadium with a point apiece a fair outcome.

“We rode our luck a wee bit. It’s been a really good Christmas period, three wins and a draw. No complaints,” said Moyes, whose team beat Wolverhampton Wanderers, Manchester United and Arsenal in this run.

“I’m thrilled with the result and to get the point. I thought Brighton played very well and were the better team.

“When you are playing really good teams, which we have been, especially in this Christmas period, we’ve had to be really compact defensively and as organised as we can be.

“Tonight we just lacked the quality that might make the difference at the other end of the pitch.” 

Pascal Gross should have put Brighton in front shortly before half-time but the German’s header was saved by Alphonse Areola, while Adam Lallana went close to a late winner.

In the end West Ham, without Africa Cup of Nations-bound Mohammed Kudus and injured fellow midfielder Lucas Paqueta, appeared content to take the draw which left them in sixth spot with 34 points from 20 games.

Brighton’s first clean sheet of the season in the league moved them above United into seventh on goal difference with 31 points.

While the game will not live long in the memory, both sides can embrace the New Year optimistically, with European honours still possible and a challenge for a top-six place in the Premier League on the cards.

“It was disappointing from our point of view because I think we controlled the game and created enough chances,” Brighton’s 37-year-old midfielder James Milner said.

“But it was a solid performance, especially with a couple of boys coming back who haven’t had too much football.”

The evergreen Milner was making his 632nd Premier League appearance to move level with Ryan Giggs. Only Gareth Barry (653) has played more matches in the competition.

Brighton boss Roberto de Zerbi, meanwhile, was pleased that his side stopped the Hammers from earning a first home win against the south-coast club since 2012.

“We played a great game,” he told the BBC. “We deserved to win. We played a very smart game because the best quality of West Ham is their counter-attack and we played with a focus – don’t concede a counter-attack.

“We created eight clear chances to score and I’m really pleased with the performance, and the understanding of the play I want and demand.” REUTERS