There has been a major boost for West Ham after the FA hit Brighton boss Roberto De Zerbi with a ban on the eve of this weekend’s clash.
After throwing away a golden opportunity to beat Man United and make the quarter-finals of the FA Cup, West Ham’s attentions now turn back to the very pressing matter of Premier League survival with a trip to bogey side Brighton on Saturday.
And there is no way to sugar coat it, West Ham’s record against the Seagulls since their promotion to the top flight is abysmal.
In 11 Premier League games between West Ham and Brighton since they came into the top flight in 2017/2018, the Hammers have failed to win a single match.
West Ham have lost five and drawn the other six. And they suffered a 2-0 defeat in the reverse fixture at the start of the season.
The 4-0 thumping of Forest last weekend has breathed new hope and life into West Ham’s battle to beat the drop.
Brighton have continued their fantastic progress this season under Italian boss De Zerbi.
And there is some good news for the Hammers ahead of the crucial match.
There is a major boost for West Ham as the FA have hit Brighton boss De Zerbi with a ban on eve of clash.
De Zerbi has been hit with a £15,000 fine and banned for one game after his red card against Fulham, the FA have confirmed.
And that means he will miss the match against West Ham at the Amex on Saturday.
De Zerbi, who said he respected but did not agree with the FA decision, told The Argus: “The players know very well what they have to do.”
West Ham will hope De Zerbi’s absence will cause some disarray in the Brighton camp and that they can take advantage.
But the Hammers were thinking along the same lines when they played a Spurs side without their Italian boss Antonio Conte a few weeks back only to lose 2-0.
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