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West Ham missed the chance to close the gap on Premier League safety Nottingham Forest as they were unable to draw 2-2 at home to Brighton.
With Forest losing at home to Everton, West Ham could have moved to within two points of safety with a home win, but despite taking the lead on two occasions, they could only draw.
Everton’s win at Forest pushed them into the top half, while Burnley’s woes continued with a home defeat to Newcastle.
The hammers lose their chance
West Ham launched their first attack of the match when Jarrod Bowen chased Luucas Paqueta’s ball over the top and outpaced the Brighton defense to finish.
Max Kilman’s clumsy challenge gave Brighton a penalty, with Danny Welbeck sending Alphonse Areola the wrong way from the penalty spot.
Paqueta’s rugby tackle on Lewis Dunk then gave Brighton another penalty, but Welbeck’s ‘Panenka’ style effort came back off the crossbar.
The next penalty drama occurred as a hectic first half entered injury time, with Dunk blocking a Callum Wilson shot towards goal.
Replays showed the ball hit the Seagulls defender’s arm, which was away from his body, and after a lengthy VAR check the kick was awarded.
Paqueta scored the penalty to put West Ham ahead once again, but Joel Veltman scored from a corner to leave the Hammers in difficulty.
Newcastle win away
Newcastle needed an away win and duly got one with a 3-1 win at Burnley.
Early goals from Joelinton and Yoane Wissa put Newcastle on track, with Joelinton hanging on after 65 seconds and former Brentford man Wissa grabbing a scruffy second.
An excellent volley finish from Josh Laurent brought Burnley back into the contest, but Bruno Guimaraes wrapped up the points with a fine long-range strike.
The forest falls to be defeated
Former Nottingham Forest midfielder James Garner scored and set up a goal as Everton secured a 2-0 victory at the City Ground.
Three successive defeats leave Forest in 17th position, just four points behind West Ham, who they visit next week.
Dwight McNeil slipped in Garner, whose clinical first-time finish headed into the bottom corner to give Everton the lead.
Sean Dyche’s side pushed hard in the second half, with Igor Jesus pushing an effort just wide after Everton failed to clear.
But Garner then beat Murillo with some fine skill, then found Thierno Barry with a pass that split the defense and the striker, whose only other goal of the season was against Forest, finished coolly.
