Hammers boss Pellegrini said: "We know Brighton score most of their goals from set pieces, especially corners, so to concede two goals knowing the characteristic of this team, I was very disappointed.

"I don't remember one chance for Brighton except the two set pieces.

"But fortunately we never gave up and the substitutes changed the face of the game. I'm disappointed about the result but very happy with the spirit of the team. Before the game I didn't want to draw but I think we must be happy."

All the goals came in the space of 12 dramatic second-half minutes, in stark contrast to a listless first half notable only for Andy Carroll's first start for precisely one year.

Carroll had already gone off when Brighton made the breakthrough in the 56th minute. Lukasz Fabianski punched a corner straight to the lurking Stephens who smashed the ball back through a mass of bodies and into the net.

Two minutes later Duffy doubled the lead, pouncing at the far post as West Ham's static defence waved another Pascal Gross corner through.

Pellegrini made the double substitution and the changes had an immediate effect as Arnautovic pulled one back when he latched onto Noble's ball over the top, held off Duffy and expertly finished past David Button.

Moments later Antonio reached the byline, just managing to keep the ball in play, before pulling it back for Arnautovic to smash home off the underside of the crossbar to rescue a point.

"Marko is coming back from an injury and he's full of energy," added Pellegrini.

"Most of the players have played eight games since the beginning of December. Five victories, one draw and two defeats is not bad."

Brighton had to settle for a point to add to the four they gained over Christmas against Everton and Arsenal.

"It's hugely disappointing, there won't be too many opportunities like that away from home," said manager Chris Hughton.

"The first-half performance from us was very good, so at the moment the overriding feeling is disappointment.

"Five points from nine is a good points tally from us and we know we mustn't get complacent."

ga('create', 'UA-72310761-1', 'auto', {'name': 'pacontentapi'});
ga('pacontentapi.set', 'referrer', location.origin);
ga('pacontentapi.set', 'dimension1', 'By Andy Sims, Press Association Sport');
ga('pacontentapi.set', 'dimension2', '3023c6a9-c159-4fcb-9f71-5f08bbdb907a');
ga('pacontentapi.set', 'dimension3', 'paservice:sport,paservice:sport:club-news,paservice:sport:football,paservice:sport:match-reports,paservice:sport:uk,paservice:sport:world');
ga('pacontentapi.set', 'dimension6', 'story');
ga('pacontentapi.set', 'dimension7', 'composite');
ga('pacontentapi.set', 'dimension8', null);
ga('pacontentapi.set', 'dimension9', 'sport:football');
ga('pacontentapi.send', 'pageview', { 'location': location.href, 'page': (location.pathname + location.search + location.hash), 'title': 'Manuel Pellegrini relieved to battle back for a point against Brighton'});