West Ham have come under increasing pressure in recent weeks with Liverpool’s uptick in form making them a candidate for the relegation play-off spot.
However, it was Brighton who showed all the urgency on Sunday as Madison Haley missed the goal by a whisker inside eight minutes before she also had shouts for a penalty waved away after a challenge by Oona Siren in the box.
In the 31st minute, Charlie Rule’s slip allowed West Ham captain Asseyi to reach the byline and cut the ball across for Martinez, who couldn’t wrap her foot around it from point‑blank range before Nnadozie tipped Asseyi’s free-kick onto the crossbar.
But less than two minutes later, Seike latched onto a long ball from her Japanese compatriot Moeka Minami and seeing Kinga Szemik off her line, she lifted the ball over the West Ham goalkeeper to give Brighton the lead in the 40th minute.
With her side finding themselves at the bottom of the table at half-time as Liverpool raced into a two‑goal lead against Villa, Guarino would have called for a response from her players in the second half.
But it was Brighton who scored against the run of the play again in the 63rd minute, as Colombian defender Vanegas went past Eva Nystrom at the edge of the box and applied a good finish past Szemik.
Brighton thought they had sealed the victory but the Hammers had other plans.
Despite looking flat for large stretches and staring at a damaging defeat, Guarino’s side produced a spirited response, something that has often eluded them this season.
Asseyi, who was involved in a running battle with Charlie Rule on the left flank, proved instrumental with her direct running and her composure in the box ultimately proved the difference.
Martinez also found the net again – her sixth of the season.
For Guarino, the manner of the comeback will be encouraging and she would believe her squad have enough in them to steer clear of relegation fears.
