Brighton leave it late to pile more misery on West Ham boss Graham Potter

Carlos Baleba struck a stunning added-time winner as Brighton reignited their European push by piling more misery on former manager Graham Potter with a dramatic 3-2 Premier League victory over West Ham.

Potter, who left Albion to join Chelsea in 2022, was on course to have the last laugh at the Amex Stadium after second-half goals from Mohammed Kudus and Tomas Soucek turned the contest in the Hammers’ favour following Yasin Ayari’s eye-catching opener.

But substitute Kaoru Mitoma headed the Seagulls level a minute from time before Baleba sensationally curled home from distance two minutes beyond the 90.

The last-gasp victory for Fabian Hurzeler’s ninth-placed hosts ended a five-match winless run in the top flight, while West Ham’s dismal run extended to a seventh game without success.

Potter, who left the pitch to jeers from home fans, has now taken just 13 points from 14 games since replacing Julen Lopetegui as Hammers boss in January.

Hammers striker Niclas Fullkrug was dropped to the bench following his public outburst after last weekend’s 1-1 draw with relegated Southampton, while Brighton handed Solly March a first start since October 2023 and recalled Ayari as part of their three changes.

Potter’s only previous return to Albion ended in humiliation when his Chelsea side were thrashed 4-1 in October 2022.

His current side fell behind inside 13 minutes following a moment of magic from midfielder Ayari.

The Sweden international collected the ball from Jack Hinshelwood around 25 yards out and, with West Ham’s defence slow to close down, duly dispatched his maiden Albion goal into the top right corner.

Chants of “Potter, Potter, what’s the score?” quickly rang around the ground, while the away end added to their