Brighton vs West Ham player ratings: Hammers continue fine start to the season

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Bart Verbruggen 6/10 – Perhaps could have done better for the opener. Doesn’t look a better option than Steele.

Pascal Gross 7/10 – Scored a great consolation goal for Brighton but it came too late in the game.

Pascal Gross pulls one back and becomes Brighton’s all-time Premier League goal-scorer! 🏆 pic.twitter.com/X0j4N0aRKM

— Sky Sports Premier League (@SkySportsPL) August 26, 2023

Lewis Dunk 5/10 – Was bullied by Antonio throughout the 90 minutes.

Adam Webster 5/10 – Also struggled against Antonio.

Pervis Estupinan 6/10 – Didn’t do much defending but looked a threat as always down the left flank.

James Milner 5/10 – Was virtually non-existent in midfield and looked every bit his age.

Billy Gilmour 4/10 – Brighton improved after he was taken off, struggled against West Ham’s physicality.

Kaoru Mitoma 7/10 – Still played well despite his team’s performance. A constant threat down the left side.

Danny Welbeck 5/10 – Wasn’t his best game and was deservedly taken off.

Solly March 4/10 – Lacked any real quality with his final ball.

Evan Ferguson 5/10 – Came alive a bit more towards the end of the match but didn’t do enough across the entirety of the 90 minutes.

Joao Pedro 7/10 – Gave Brighton some extra impetus after his introduction. Should be starting for them.

Adam Lallana 6/10 – Tried to drive his team forward.

Joel Veltman N/A

Simon Adingra N/A

Alphonse Areola 9/10 – Made some stunning saves, particularly towards the end of the match.

Vladimir Coufal 6/10 – Struggled against Mitoma at times and fortunate not to have conceded a penalty.

Kurt Zouma 7/10 – Made some important blocks for his team and led the defence well.

Angelo Ogbonna 7/10 – Assured at the back and very commanding.

Emerson 7/10 – Was aggressive in his defending and handled March well.

James Ward-Prowse 8/10 – Will have been thrilled to get his first West Ham goal and he took it well.

James Ward-Prowse with his FIRST goal for West Ham ✅

And his 5️⃣0️⃣th Premier League goal 🔥 pic.twitter.com/fD86aVPfpJ

— Sky Sports Premier League (@SkySportsPL) August 26, 2023

Tomas Soucek N/A

Edson Alvarez 7/10 – More limited on the ball than the man he replaced but just as combative and disciplined. A shrewd bit of business.

Jarrod Bowen 8/10 – His first touch for his goal was sublime, as was the finish. Looks to be back to his best after a disappointing season.

Lucas Paqueta 7/10 – Was the Hammers’ creative spark but could have played a better final ball on a few occasions.

Michail Antonio 9/10 – A dominant display up top, bullying Dunk and Webster and he took his goal expertly.

Said Benrahma 8/10 – Was introduced in the first half when Soucek was forced off with an injury. His ball to Bowen for West Ham’s second goal was nothing short of perfection.

WHAT A TOUCH AND WHAT A GOAL FROM JARROD BOWEN!

West Ham’s lead doubles ⚒ pic.twitter.com/5AWxVdRUrx

— Sky Sports Premier League (@SkySportsPL) August 26, 2023

Thilo Kehrer 6/10 – Came on to waste time more than anything but was solid enough in the time he was on the pitch.

Pablo Fornals N/A

Danny Ings N/A

In a game that saw two undefeated sides go to head-to-head, it was West Ham who came out on top thanks to a phenomenal performance at the Amex Stadium. Goals from James Ward-Prowse, Jarrod Bowen and Michail Antonio were enough to give the Hammers a comfortable win away from home and they now sit at the top of the Premier League table.

It was Brighton who made all the early running in the match but on West Ham’s first meaningful venture forward, James Ward-Prowse gave the away side the lead when he rounded Bart Verbruggen in the Brighton goal before slotting it into the empty net.

There was still a feeling at half time that Brighton would turn the game around but that was all put to bed when two quick goals from Bowen and Antonio in the second half put the task beyond Brighton. Both strikes involved individual pieces of brilliance from the pair and were worthy of winning any match.

Brighton never gave up and found a late consolation through Pascal Gross, however, time wasn’t on their side and West Ham saw the game out thanks to a few good saves from Areola.

Antonio adds West Ham's THIRD!

A masterclass of counter-attack play 🧑‍🏫 pic.twitter.com/ANFbTTek5U

— Sky Sports Premier League (@SkySportsPL) August 26, 2023

At the age of 33, Michail Antonio seems to be getting better rather than regressing which will delight his manager, David Moyes. He held the ball up for his side terrifically throughout and more than deserved his goal. And what a goal it was – He twisted Lewis Dunk inside and out before thumping the ball past a helpless Verbruggen. If Antonio can keep this level of performance up then West Ham are in for another good season.

Freelance Sports Journalist from Manchester, England with a keen interest in football, golf, tennis and basketball.