Carlos Baleba curled in a stunning winner as Brighton scored twice in the final five minutes to produce an incredible comeback with a 3-2 victory over West Ham.
Tomas Soucek had headed West Ham into the lead in the 83rd minute from a wonderful Jarrod Bowen cross after Mohammed Kudus had pulled them level early in the second half, cancelling out Yasin Ayari’s superb opener.
But substitute Kaoru Mitoma brought Brighton level with a close-range header of his own in the 89th minute before Baleba sent the Amex Stadium wild, bending a shot into the left corner from 25 yards which goalkeeper Alphonse Areola could only stand and watch.
Brighton move up to ninth, behind eight-placed Fulham only on goal difference, while West Ham stay 17th with their place in the Premier League secured for next season after Ipswich became the third side to be relegated following their 3-0 defeat at Newcastle.
West Ham boss Graham Potter made a miserable return to his former club, having now won only three of his 14 matches in charge.
They threw victory away having deservedly fought to be in front as Potter answered the away supporters’ chants to bring on striker Niclas Fullkrug, who had been dropped to the bench after criticising his team-mates following their draw with Southampton last weekend, at half-time.
Fullkrug’s presence gave Kudus and Bowen the room either side of him to trouble Brighton’s makeshift defence, and it was far from West Ham’s worst performance, but the result sums up their season.
Brighton were there for the taking yet West Ham switched off after Soucek had given them the lead. The manner of the late Brighton goals will haunt Potter, who will want this season to end quickly.
