Gross seals Brighton's first league win of the year

Soccer Football - Premier League - Brighton & Hove Albion vs West Ham United - The American Express Community Stadium, Brighton, Britain - February 3, 2018 Brighton’s Jose Izquierdo (not pictured) scores their second goal Action Images via Reuters/Matthew Childs

(Reuters) - Brighton & Hove Albion secured their first Premier League win this year as they beat West Ham United 3-1 thanks to superb strikes from Jose Izquierdo and Pascal Gross in a thrilling game at the Amex Stadium.

Brighton's Glenn Murray opened the scoring with his eighth league goal of the season but Javier Hernandez, who said he had wanted to leave the club ahead of the January transfer deadline, equalised before the break after jinking past three defenders.

But Brighton's second-half goals were stunning. First Jose Izquierdo rocketed a shot past West Ham keeper Adrian from the edge of the area after 59 minutes and then Pascal Gross capped a fine display by scoring from 25 metres in the 75th.

Soccer Football - Premier League - Brighton & Hove Albion vs West Ham United - The American Express Community Stadium, Brighton, Britain - February 3, 2018 Brighton's Pascal Gross in action with West Ham United's Declan Rice REUTERS/Ian Walton

West Ham's midweek signing from Preston North End, striker Jordan Hugill, came off the bench but Brighton held on to complete their first league double over West Ham and move level with the 12th placed visitors on 27 points.

(Reporting by Neil Robinson; Editing by Ken Ferris)

Soccer Football - Premier League - Brighton & Hove Albion vs West Ham United - The American Express Community Stadium, Brighton, Britain - February 3, 2018 Brighton's Anthony Knockaert lies injured after a foul but referee Roger East plays advantage leading to Glenn Murray scoring their first goal Action Images via Reuters/Matthew Childs

Soccer Football - Premier League - Brighton & Hove Albion vs West Ham United - The American Express Community Stadium, Brighton, Britain - February 3, 2018 Brighton's Glenn Murray celebrates with team mates after scoring their first goal Action Images via Reuters/Matthew Childs

Soccer Football - Premier League - Brighton & Hove Albion vs West Ham United - The American Express Community Stadium, Brighton, Britain - February 3, 2018 West Ham United manager David Moyes and assistant manager Stuart Pearce Action Images via Reuters/Matthew Childs

Soccer Football - Premier League - Brighton & Hove Albion vs West Ham United - The American Express Community Stadium, Brighton, Britain - February 3, 2018 Brighton's Anthony Knockaert appeals for handball against West Ham United's Angelo Ogbonna REUTERS/Ian Walton

Soccer Football - Premier League - Brighton & Hove Albion vs West Ham United - The American Express Community Stadium, Brighton, Britain - February 3, 2018 West Ham United's Javier Hernandez scores their first goal REUTERS/Ian Walton

Soccer Football - Premier League - Brighton & Hove Albion vs West Ham United - The American Express Community Stadium, Brighton, Britain - February 3, 2018 West Ham United's Javier Hernandez celebrates scoring their first goal Action Images via Reuters/Matthew Childs

Soccer Football - Premier League - Brighton & Hove Albion vs West Ham United - The American Express Community Stadium, Brighton, Britain - February 3, 2018 West Ham United's Javier Hernandez scores their first goal Action Images via Reuters/Matthew Childs

Soccer Football - Premier League - Brighton & Hove Albion vs West Ham United - The American Express Community Stadium, Brighton, Britain - February 3, 2018 Brighton's Glenn Murray in action with West Ham United's Mark Noble REUTERS/Ian Walton

Soccer Football - Premier League - Brighton & Hove Albion vs West Ham United - The American Express Community Stadium, Brighton, Britain - February 3, 2018 Brighton’s Jose Izquierdo scores their second goal REUTERS/Ian Walton

Soccer Football - Premier League - Brighton & Hove Albion vs West Ham United - The American Express Community Stadium, Brighton, Britain - February 3, 2018 Brighton’s Jose Izquierdo celebrates with Ezequiel Schelotto after scoring their second goal Action Images via Reuters/Matthew Childs

Soccer Football - Premier League - Brighton & Hove Albion vs West Ham United - The American Express Community Stadium, Brighton, Britain - February 3, 2018 Brighton’s Solly March in action with West Ham United's Aaron Cresswell Action Images via Reuters/Matthew Childs

Soccer Football - Premier League - Brighton & Hove Albion vs West Ham United - The American Express Community Stadium, Brighton, Britain - February 3, 2018 Brighton’s Jose Izquierdo in action with West Ham United's Mark Noble REUTERS/Ian Walton

Soccer Football - Premier League - Brighton & Hove Albion vs West Ham United - The American Express Community Stadium, Brighton, Britain - February 3, 2018 Brighton's Pascal Gross celebrates with team mates after scoring their third goal REUTERS/Ian Walton

Soccer Football - Premier League - Brighton & Hove Albion vs West Ham United - The American Express Community Stadium, Brighton, Britain - February 3, 2018 West Ham United's James Collins looks dejected after the match Action Images via Reuters/Matthew Childs