Fifteen years ago this weekend, an Alessandro Diamanti penalty earned West Ham a point at home to Premier League leaders Chelsea and another one, on Boxing Day, helped the Hammers secure a 2-0 win over Portsmouth.
Brighton, meanwhile, followed up a defeat at Swindon that left them in the League One relegation zone with a goalless draw at home to Leyton Orient and, even further down the pyramid, League Two Bournemouth were still reeling from a 5-0 defeat at Morecambe.
A decade and a half later, West Ham welcome Brighton to the London Stadium on Saturday knowing they are underdogs.