Injuries and Illnesses Plague West Ham’s Defensive Line in Draw Against Brighton

“I’m very sorry I can’t help the boys today. Instead of opponents, I’m facing a pretty nasty flu. I will miss your support, but as soon as I get back together, I am ready to fight for our club again,” the 31-year-old pillar of the Hammers’ defensive line told his followers on Instagram.

That way, they could relax properly, if it is not just camouflage. The aforementioned BBC did not worry about possible illness and commented curtly on Coufal’s absence in the nomination. “He is reportedly considering a transfer because he is unhappy with his contract,” says the website of the British news portal.

At the same time, West Ham was missing a number of other supports. Mohammed Kudus, who played in great form, traveled to represent Ghana at the Africa Cup of Nations. Brazilian star Lucas Paquetá could not start, among other things, due to health problems. “Injuries and some illnesses are bothering us. If we had played a day earlier, maybe at least representatives from African countries would have been available,” saddened coach David Moyes before kick-off.

In whose selection, even this time, the second Czech countryman, Tomáš Souček, was not missing. The captain of the national team had perhaps West Ham’s best chance after an hour of play when he found a pinpoint cross in the area of ​​the back post. But he did not add the sixth league goal of the season. “When (Tomáš) didn’t score, it was clear to me that we had to fight for a goalless draw,” Moyes realized.

Which it did. Although the opponent from Brighton was optically much more dangerous and let the goalkeeper Alphonse Areola stand out several times, none of the shooters put on goal boots and the points were divided. “I am delighted with the result. The opponent played a better match than us,” the Scottish coach was not looking for excuses.

His counterpart Roberto de Zerbi was not satisfied with the draw. Brighton kept a clean sheet for the first time in the season, but it was not enough to win. “I liked our performance. We created maybe eight scoring opportunities. We deserved to win,” believes the Italian coach.

The draw outcome of the clash between table neighbors did not change the situation just below the top of the Premier League in any way. West Ham remain sixth with a five-point deficit to fifth-placed Tottenham, with seventh-placed Brighton a further three points behind after Monday’s draw.