EPL: Brighton draw at home with West Ham United

South Africa’s Percy Tau bagged a vital assist on his return to Premier League action for Brighton and Hove Albion, who draw 1-1 with West Ham United on Saturday night.

Tau was named on the Brighton bench once again while Jakub Moder started in place of the suspended Neil Maupay.

The game got off to a slow start, with neither side showing any real attacking intent in the opening 15 minutes of the stanza.

The first meaningful opening arrived on 32 minutes when Jesse Lingard did well to pick out Michail Antonio, who was unable to steer his header on target.

Brighton, meanwhile, struggled to carve out any openings in the first half while their goalkeeper Robert Sanchez was called upon to keep out Tomas Soucek’s stinging effort before the break.

The visitors looked a little livelier in the second half, as Alireza Jahanbakhsh went agonisingly close with a lob over Lukasz Fabianksi that sailed inches wide.

Tau made his long-awaited return to the field as he replaced Jahanbakhsh in the 73rd minute as Brighton looked to get the go-ahead goal.

😬 It finishes level at the Amex.

📲 https://t.co/S3j1TIedJv#BHAFC 🔵⚪ pic.twitter.com/Z6S9xUUsVb

— Brighton & Hove Albion (@OfficialBHAFC) May 15, 2021

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The decision paid off for Graham Potter as Tau set up Danny Welbeck with a superb pass before the striker lobbed the on-rushing Fabianski.

Brighton’s joy was short-lived as the Hammers levelled matters in the 87th minute thanks to Said Benrahma’s long-range strike that flew into the top corner.