West Ham 4 Brentford 2
The Hammers welcomed Brentford to the London Stadium for a game important to both sides for different reasons. David Moyes had come under increased pressure from the fans after a run of poor results while The Bees were looking to add more distance between them and the bottom three.
It is no coincidence that when Jarrod Bowen is on form, West Ham do well. He found his goalscoring touch again early on as he pulled the trigger just inside the box, beating Flekken and breaking the deadlock with only five minutes gone.
Bowen’s goal was a superb strike on the outside of his left foot, after Emerson had got to the byline and cut the ball back to him. Moments later, Kudus laid it into the path of Coufal out wide, who spotted the West Ham talisman on the penalty spot.
Without a hesitation, Bowen side-footed his effort into the bottom corner of the net with the Brentford keeper unable to do anything to keep it out. Things were looking bleak for the visitors, finding themselves two-nil down with only seven minutes on the clock.
Credit: @premierleague
Thomas Frank’s side thought they had found a way back into the game when in-form Neal Maupay slid onto a Lewis Potter pass to find the roof of the net. Areola had no chance to react before he was picking the ball out of the goal.
Brentford started putting the pressure on as Maupay raced Kudus to the ball, the striker ended up in a heap on the floor after a heavy challenge from the West Ham midfielder. The visitors appealed for a penalty but Simon Hooper had no interest and VAR did not see a ‘clear and obvious error’.
Frank was incensed on the touchline and having seen the replay he had good reason to be. It was a clumsy challenge by Kudus and there was no doubting his shoulder barge sent Maupay to ground. How the referee didn’t see this is incredible until you realise who the official is.
This is the same person who took charge of the comedy sketch that was Tottenham vs Liverpool. How this man is still officiating Premier League games is almost laughable. It would make more sense if they replaced his referee’s kit with a jester outfit. At least the bells would notify of his presence.
Rumours are that Mickey Mouse wears a Simon Hooper watch. In no other job would such incompetency be endured without you being sent a calendar event to notify you of a meeting with HR and how you were able to take a union rep with you.
To rub salt into the wound, Kudus was to supply the cross that was headed home by Bowen to complete his hat trick and double The Hammers’ lead. The London Stadium erupted as their talisman bagged his third and spurred a rendition of ‘Bowen’s on fire’.
Credit: @premierleague
Lightening was to strike twice as Kudus crossed again and Brentford half cleared the ball. It came to Emerson outside the box and he drilled a wonderous shot into the top corner with Flekken having no chance whatsoever in the Brentford goal.
The visitors, to their credit, did not fold. They continued to try and create chances. As they won the ball back in the West Ham half, Wissa received it just outside the box. He checked onto his right foot and slotted the ball into the bottom corner of the goal.
It was all a little too late for The Bees as David Moyes’ side held on for all three points. It moved them up to eighth in the table, hot on the heels of Brighton above them. Brentford are two places above the relegation places with a five point cushion to protect them.
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