West Ham manager Nuno Espírito Santo delivered one of his most frustrated post-match assessments of the season after a dramatic 1–1 draw at Brighton, insisting his side were “denied” a vital Premier League win by two VAR failures. Jarrod Bowen’s superb 73rd-minute finish appeared set to lift the Hammers out of the relegation zone, only for Georginio Rutter’s stoppage-time equaliser to stand despite strong objections from the visitors.
Referee Simon Hooper initially awarded the goal, and VAR Tony Harrington checked only for a possible handball by Rutter. However, West Ham were incensed that a second incident — a high boot to the head of Konstantinos Mavropanos from Charalampos Kostoulas — was not reviewed. For a team fighting at the bottom, the sense of injustice was raw.
According to Premier League guidance, VAR determined that Rutter’s arm position was natural and the contact was not immediately prior to the goal. Officials also ruled that Kostoulas’s raised foot did not constitute dangerous play. Nuno dismissed both interpretations with disbelief.
“Everyone saw it — it’s clear”: Nuno unleashes fury after late Brighton equaliser
Nuno was visibly emotional and deeply protective of a squad he said had “worked too hard” to leave the south coast with only a point.
“It’s not ‘appears’, it’s clear. I saw it, everybody saw it. We cannot understand how they gave the goal. VAR saw it — both situations should be checked. It’s really hard to take.” — Nuno Espírito Santo
The West Ham boss went further, apologising for his tone but admitting it was difficult to control his frustration given the club’s league position. “This game meant a lot to us,” he added. “The boys worked really hard. It’s hard to take going back to London with a point.”
Nuno also argued that the high boot would unquestionably be given as a foul if Mavropanos had been on the ground rather than in the air: “There’s contact on his head, isn’t there?” he said pointedly.
Brighton dominate possession but struggle for control until late rescue
| Match Stat | Brighton | West Ham |
|---|---|---|
| Ball Possession | 68% | 32% |
| Expected Goals (xG) | 1.70 | 1.14 |
| Total Shots | 22 | 14 |
| Big Chances | 3 | 3 |
| Goalkeeper Saves | 4 | 4 |
source: Sofascore – 7 December 2025
Brighton controlled possession with 68% of the ball and generated the higher xG at 1.70, yet the match remained balanced in terms of big chances and goalkeeper interventions. West Ham created 14 shots despite limited possession, highlighting their strength on transitions. The equaliser came during Brighton’s late pressure, but the overall statistics show a game where both sides had clear opportunities — making the VAR controversy even more central to the final narrative.
Hurzeler admits Brighton were “not good enough” before late surge
Brighton head coach Fabian Hürzeler, meanwhile, was unusually blunt in his assessment, saying his side did not deserve more than a point based on a poor first half.
“We didn’t have energy, no intensity, no joy, no connection. We only started playing football after we conceded. The reaction was good, but we can’t be happy.” — Fabian Hürzeler
While the numbers paint Brighton as dominant, Hürzeler suggested much of that possession lacked purpose until urgency forced them forward.
Tactical & Psychological Insight: Why Nuno reacted so strongly
FootballPlace analysis
Having followed Nuno extensively through his Wolves, Spurs and Nottingham spells, the emotional weight of his reaction is rooted in how he builds teams: structure, discipline and hard-earned margins. West Ham defended deep, absorbed pressure and executed the game plan almost perfectly — only to see it unravel through incidents he believed should never have survived review. When a side battling relegation commits fully to a tactical identity, moments like these can feel season-defining.
In our view, this match also highlighted a broader Premier League trend: officials are becoming more selective in what constitutes “clear and obvious” intervention. Although some analysts argue VAR made the correct technical interpretation, the reality is more complex — player safety and attacking impact remain subjective angles. It’s worth questioning whether the current threshold leaves defenders unprotected in aerial duels, particularly when contact involves the head.
Furthermore, the psychological toll on West Ham cannot be understated. A win would have moved them out of the bottom three on goals scored; instead, they remain stuck in a cycle where strong performances yield too little reward. That emotional fatigue was evident in Nuno’s apology for even having to address the controversy.
Key Insights
- Nuno Espírito Santo says West Ham were denied victory by two VAR errors.
- He claims both a handball and high boot in Brighton’s equaliser should have been reviewed.
- Bowen’s superb 73rd-minute goal was nearly enough to lift West Ham out of the relegation zone.
- Brighton held 68% possession but lacked intensity until late.
- Hürzeler admits his side “didn’t deserve more” after a disappointing first half.
- The draw leaves West Ham frustrated and emotionally drained amid a tight survival battle.
What’s Next?
West Ham return to Premier League action on 14 December against Aston Villa at home, facing a key relegation six-pointer where the emotional carryover from this match could prove decisive. Nuno will demand defensive clarity, mental reset and improved finishing — because at this stage of the season, the margins could not be thinner.
👉 Should VAR have ruled out Brighton’s goal — or were West Ham simply unlucky?
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