Brighton started the game in bright fashion but after 17 minutes Captain Kevin Nolan stole the ball from Liam Bridcutt and drilled a shot past ‘keeper Steve Harper from 20 yards to give the Hammers a goal advantage against the run of play.
Brighton then continued to attack and with Hammers’ summer target Craig Mackail-Smith looking dangerous throughout.
The second-half continued much in the same fashion as the first with Gus Poyet’s side dominating both possession and territory but they were unable to find a way past a resolute Hammers defence lead by Winston Reid and Abdolaye Faye.