No person might accuse David Moyes of failing to put on sufficient leisure. Solely Brentford, perched precariously above the underside three after their fifth defeat in six video games, had trigger for grievance. Thomas Frank may have targeted much less on West Ham’s artistic mojo returning and extra on his defence’s meek try to deal with a resurgent Jarrod Bowen.
It guarantees to be a nervy finish to the season if Brentford proceed to ship targets at such an alarming charge. West Ham, who delighted in ending a mini-crisis that had raised questions over Moyes’s future, have been rampant. Bowen’s first hat-trick for the membership was sufficient for West Ham to finish an eight-match winless run in all competitions and transfer as much as eighth place.
It was pure that the reminiscence of West Ham’s capitulation against Arsenal of their earlier dwelling sport hung within the air at kick-off. But if there was stress on Moyes, whose hopes of a brand new deal remain in the balance, it was troublesome to inform throughout a frenetic opening burst from his facet. This, after weeks of constipated soccer, was West Ham at their greatest; muscular and intense, aggressive when the ball was there to be gained, fast to counterattack and armed with a entrance three able to punish the primary trace of sloppy defending from Brentford.
The guests weren’t as safe with out Ethan Pinnock main their again three. They need to have conceded after 4 minutes, just for Tomas Soucek to fireplace over from shut vary, however they didn’t heed the warning. Frank Onyeka was too ponderous when a go reached him in midfield. In got here Edson Álvarez and off went West Ham, easing via midfield, expectation rising as James Ward-Prowse discovered Emerson Palmieri and the left-back pulled the ball again for Bowen.
Every thing felt clear and purposeful. West Ham had extra steadiness with Lucas Paquetá match to begin for the primary time since early January. Bowen, who had not scored for seven video games, took a contact and shot earlier than anybody might sort out him. Mark Flekken, Brentford’s goalkeeper, had no probability of stopping the ahead’s swerving drive from getting into off his close to publish.
Brentford appeared surprised. They quickly coughed up possession once more and didn’t get well their form when West Ham broke. It was too straightforward for Mohammed Kudus to ship Vladimir Coufal behind the overworked Sergio Reguilón. West Ham’s right-back had ample time to cross for Bowen to attain his thirteenth league aim of the season, his highest tally in a single marketing campaign.
But West Ham wouldn’t make it straightforward for themselves. Their focus dipped within the thirteenth minute, Kurt Zouma underhitting a go and Emerson weak within the sort out. Brentford have been alive. Ivan Toney performed a intelligent go to Keane Lewis-Potter and the wing-back launched Neal Maupay. Konstantinos Mavropanos was not shut sufficient to the striker when he scooped a shot previous Alphonse Areola.
The sport settled down after Maupay’s aim. Brentford had a penalty attraction waved away when Kudus shoved Reguilón and Paquetá wasted two presentable possibilities. Toney’s touches hinted at menace.
The competition was within the steadiness, the stress evident in Kevin Nolan, West Ham’s first-team coach, squaring as much as Maupay earlier than the beginning of the second half. Brentford, more and more daring, started to threaten. Toney was near assembly Lewis-Potter’s cross.
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West Ham grew nervy. Emerson had issues with Lewis-Potter, though it was troublesome for Brentford to create clear possibilities. Álvarez shielded West Ham’s again 4 and Mavropanos and Zouma have been robust within the air.
In a position to loosen up, West Ham began to assault once more. Kudus, twisting and turning, resumed his torture of Reguilón and crossed for Bowen. On their own within the six-yard field, he glanced a easy header previous Flekken.
Brentford tried to reply, Onyeka testing Areola at his close to publish, however their resistance was over. Their defence was in all places after Ben Mee limped off. Frank, who might have executed with out shedding one other participant to harm, might solely wince as West Ham poured ahead once more and Emerson accomplished the rout by smashing in a surprising shot from 20 yards. Yoanne Wissa’s late comfort meant little, even when the defending left Moyes shaking his head.
