There comes a point when repeated misfortune simply begins to resemble carelessness. In Brighton’s case the hard-luck stories are starting to wear thin. Even when the bounce of the ball goes in their favour they find ways not to win, undermining their stylish approach play with defending that leaves them uncomfortably close to the bottom three.
Victorious in only two league games this season, they let an underwhelming West Ham off the hook in a scrappy match, missing the chance to pull four points clear of 18th place after twice relinquishing the lead.