Relegation strugglers West Ham host a Brighton side on a bad run of results as both teams aim to kick on heading into 2026.
WATCH — West Ham v Brighton
For live updates and highlights throughout West Ham vs Brighton, check out PST’s live blog coverage below.
How to watch West Ham vs Brighton live, stream link and start time
Kick off time: 2:30pm ET Tuesday (December 30)
Venue: London Stadium — East London
TV Channel: Peacock
Streaming: Stream live on Peacock
West Ham vs Brighton score: 2-2
Bowen 10', Paqueta 45+4'; Welbeck 32', Veltman 61'
West Ham vs Brighton live updates! — By Joe Prince-Wright
Brighton are level!
A corner is whipped in and Van Hecke is close to Areola. The West Ham goalkeeper flaps at the corner and the ball drops to Joel Veltman who finishes to make it 2-2. West Ham want a foul, but the goal stands.
Mitoma and Gruda on for Brighton
Two very good subs to bring on for Brighton as Mitoma and Gruda replace Minteh and De Cuyper. The former was struggling with an injury. Just over 30 minutes to go. Can West Ham hold on?
Brighton pressing early in the second half
Clearly fired up by the way those penalties played out, Brighton have come flying out and Minteh is causing problems on the right and Dunk is penalized for dragging down Paqueta in the box as he tries to get to a header. It’s still pretty spicy.
Half time: West Ham 2-1 Brighton
An absolutely bonkers first half in east London as Bowen put the Hammers ahead, then Welbeck scored and missed a penalty in the space of a few minutes. And right on half time Paqueta slotted home a penalty to give West Ham the lead. Brighton have had the better of the play but West Ham have created big chances and it could easily by 3-3. What a game!
Another penalty, this time to West Ham, and Paqueta scores!
VAR is checking for a potential handball as Dunk blocks Wilson’s shot from close range. VAR has asked the referee to have a look on the monitor. He awards a penalty for handball on Dunk. Paqueta steps up with his stuttering run up and sends Verbruggen the wrong way. What a crazy few minutes!
Another penalty to Brighton!
Paqueta had hold of Dunk in the box and Brighton have another penalty kick... Welbeck steps up again and tries the Panenka but he puts too much on it and hits the crossbar. He then misses his kick on the rebound and West Ham clear as a scuffle ensues as the referee blows his whistle. Fernandes and Welbeck are booked as the former was celebrating with his goalkeeper. Lively! Huge missed opportunity for Brighton.
Penalty kick... and Welbeck scores!
After Minteh is taken down in the box by Kilman, the ball drops to Welbeck but he puts it over the bar. But the ref has pointed to the spot. That is a clear foul on Minteh. Penalty to the Seagulls... and Welbeck slots it home. 1-1.
Scarles should make it 2-0!
Lovely play from the young left back as he skips into the box and past a challenge and his eyes light up. He sends a controlled low shot just past the far post. He can’t believe it. He thought that was in. West Ham are well on top after taking the lead. It’s amazing what a goal can do for confidence.
Bowen gives West Ham the lead!
Totally against the run of play West Ham lead. Lovely clipped pass over the top from Lucas Paqueta finds Jarrod Bowen. He’s clean through, rounds Bart Verbruggen and finishes calmly into the far corner. That was proper Nuno ball on the counter.
Minteh and Gomez go close!
It is all Brighton early on and De Cuyper whips in a lovely cross for Minteh at the back post. His header is low but it’s too close to Areola who saves. Moments later Mateus Fernandes loses the ball on the edge of his own box but Diego Gomez smashes way over. West Ham have yet to get going at all.
West Ham lineup
Areola; Walker-Peters, Todibo, Kilman, Scarles; Potts, Magassa; Fernandes; Bowen, Wilson, Paqueta
Brighton lineup
Verbruggen; Veltman, Van Hecke, Dunk, Kadioglu; Minteh, Milner, Ayari, De Cuyper; Gomez; Welbeck
West Ham team news, focus
Aaron Wan-Bissaka and Malick Diouf are both away at AFCON while Niclas Fullkrug is struggling with injury and has likely played his final game for the Hammers as he’s been linked with a loan move away. Jarrod Bowen, Crysencio Summerville and Lucas Paqueta are doing their best to get West Ham going on the counter but it’s the lack of composure in midfield and defense which is really hurting them.
Brighton team news, focus
Brighton are without influential holding midfielder Carlos Baleba who is away at AFCON, while Stefanos Tzimas, Adam Webster and Solly March are out injured. Danny Welbeck will likely start in support of Georginio Rutter, while Diego Gomez remains a real goalscoring threat from midfield.
West Ham vs Brighton preview
Nuno Espirito Santo’s West Ham lost 1-0 at home to Fulham last time out and are five points from safety as they sit in the relegation zone. The Hammers have shown glimpses they can drag themselves out of the bottom three but they are without a win in seven games and haven’t won since early November.
Brighton are five without a win as they lost 2-1 at Arsenal last time out and it was a familiar story for Fabian Hurzeler’s side. They create so many chances each game but aren’t clinical enough. Brighton are still in the hunt for European qualification and have some excellent individuals.
West Ham vs Brighton prediction
This has the makings of a chaotic game as both teams are desperate for a win. There will be plenty of goals. West Ham 2-3 Brighton.
