West Ham United were left frustrated on Sunday after Georginio Rutter’s last-gasp equaliser for Brighton was allowed to stand. The Brighton forward struck in the 91st minute at the Amex Stadium, cancelling out Jarrod Bowen’s superb finish and forcing a 1-1 draw that keeps West Ham in the Premier League relegation zone.
The first half offered little quality, highlighted by a poor error from Konstantinos Mavropanos, but the second half was far livelier. West Ham felt Rutter’s goal should have been disallowed for two separate incidents in the build-up.
The equaliser came after a goalmouth scramble, with Rutter lashing the ball home from close range. However, moments earlier there appeared to be a high boot on Mavropanos, and the ball also made contact with Rutter’s arm before he scored—though not directly in the immediate action.
Referee Simon Hooper allowed the goal, and VAR supported the decision. A Premier League statement later explained that Rutter’s arm was in a natural position, the touch was not deliberate, and the handball did not occur immediately before the goal. Notably, the statement did not address the potential high boot incident.
Despite the controversy, a point away at Brighton is not a poor result. Brighton produced an xG of 1.7 to West Ham’s 1.14 and outshot the visitors 22-14, though West Ham managed more efforts on target. Nuno Espirito Santo’s side were largely comfortable until taking the lead and can feel they earned at least a draw.
While the nature of the equaliser stings, back-to-back away draws at Manchester United and Brighton represent a respectable return in a difficult week.