West Ham 0-2 Brentford – London Stadium, Premier League
Brentford earned their first away win of the Premier League season yesterday, with a dominant 2-0 victory over West Ham United.
Second-half goals from Igor Thiago and substitute Mathias Jensen ensured a fully deserved three points for Keith Andrews’ side, whose superiority has plunged the Hammers deeper into relegation danger. West Ham were meanwhile booed off at full-time after suffering a fifth straight home defeat at the London Stadium – making this their worst run since 1931.
Brentford seized control early in the game, registering 15 first-half shots and exploiting West Ham’s defensive fragility from set-pieces and long balls. Their pressure finally became too much in the 43rd minute, when Kevin Schade outpaced two defenders to square for Thiago, whose shot beat Alphonse Areola at the second attempt. Thiago had already struck the crossbar and went on to have another goal ruled out for offside — a decision confirmed by VAR.
West Ham lacked cohesion and attacking threat throughout, rarely testing their rivals and giving Brentford’s goalkeeper, Caoimhin Kelleher, an easy 90-minutes. Jarrod Bowen came closest with a low strike in first-half stoppage time, but the hosts never built on it.
With West Ham down to ten men late on due to an injury to Konstantinos Mavropanos and no substitutions remaining, Brentford sealed the win when Jensen rifled a shot into the roof of the net in stoppage time.
Brentford’s Head Coach, Keith Andrews commented: “I’m very proud of the group. We had courage and personality. Thiago has come through tough times with injuries, and now he’s showing his quality. The team managed the game brilliantly.”
Off the pitch, fan frustration continues to grow.
Organised protests and thousands of empty seats highlighted unrest with the club’s board, particularly co-owners David Sullivan and Karren Brady. Supporters group Hammers United have voiced longstanding discontent over the club’s direction, recruitment, and stadium move from Upton Park.
With boos ringing out at half-time and full-time, Nuno Espirito Santo’s first home game in charge could hardly have gone worse, where the manager said: “It was a disappointing evening and performance. We had a good start, but Brentford were more aggressive and we lost control. There’s a clear anxiety at home — from fans and players. We need to change this.”
What is next for these teams?
West Ham will be facing Leeds United on Friday, where they hope to break their four-game losing streak at home and lift themselves out of the relegation zone. They return to the London Stadium on Sunday, 2nd November to play Newcastle United.
Brentford will host struggling champions Liverpool next, before taking on Grimsby Town in the Carabao Cup round of 16.
