Brighton's dark horse, the Hammers, have been knocked out of the Premier League by their own team after a disappointing first round exit.
The match between the two teams was a classic example of how football can be unpredictable and exciting. The Hammers, who had been tipped to make a strong push for promotion from the Championship last season, were playing against their fiercest rivals, Brighton, who had already secured a place in the top flight.
Despite being the home side, Brighton dominated the opening half of the game, with their forward players causing problems for the Hammers' defense. However, it was not until the second half that the Hammers began to show any signs of life.
Their best chance came early on when they hit the woodwork with a free kick, but they failed to capitalize on their numerical advantage. In the end, it was Brighton who came up trumps, scoring twice in the final ten minutes to take control of the game.
Despite this defeat, there is still hope for the Hammers. They will now face a relegation battle next season, which could give them a fresh start and help them improve their chances of promotion. However, it is clear that they need to improve their defensive record if they are to avoid the drop.
Overall, it was a disappointing exit for the Hammers, but they should use this as motivation to work hard and improve their performance next season. It will be interesting to see how they fare in the Premier League, especially given their recent history of success at this level.