West Ham United 0-2 Brentford
Premier League, London Stadium, Friday 30 December
West Ham United closed out 2022 with a disappointing 2-0 home defeat at the hands of Brentford.
Despite creating arguably the better chances in the first half, the Irons found themselves two goals down at the break after Ivan Toney had poked in Christian Nørgaard’s saved swipe at the second attempt, while Josh Dasilva slid in their second.
Hammers captain Declan Rice had hit the woodwork for the home side in the opening exchanges while Jarrod Bowen and Craig Dawson each went close on a frustrating night in front of goal for the home side.
It was almost the perfect start under the lights at London Stadium as Rice, urged on by the home support, unleashed a spectacular strike from distance after just five minutes. Brentford goalkeeper David Raya could only watch on as the ball clipped the post.
Bowen was involved as the Irons then went close twice again in quick succession. First, the forward provided the corner from which Dawson narrowly headed wide, before himself firing in an effort on the turn that had to be blocked away.
Brentford had been limited to a long-range effort from Bryan Mbuemo, comfortably saved by Łukasz Fabiański, but, despite the experienced Pole's best efforts, the Bees opened the scoring on 18 minutes.
A long throw into the Hammers penalty area was directed goalwards by captain Nørgaard. Fabiański expertly denied the snapshot, but forward Toney was on hand to net the rebound.
Bowen had another effort saved, seeing a first-time strike blocked inside the area, before Gianluca Scamacca’s header was comfortably held by Raya.
Emerson would test the Spanish shot-stopper from a narrow angle with ten minutes left of the first half, but it would be the visitors who would strike again before half time.
Toney was again involved, lofting the ball over the Hammers defence into the path of Dasilva, who cleanly rolled in with his left foot to double Brentford’s advantage.
In need of a quick restart, West Ham pressed early in the second half and saw Aaron Cresswell fire over from a set-piece, before Bowen collected the ball and shot in a dangerous area. His effort, however, was tame and claimed by Raya.
The introduction of Michail Antonio for Emerson just after the hour gave the Irons more attacking impetus, with Dawson trying his luck with a shot from distance.
Striker Scamacca would test Raya with a rocket from 25 yards but, but with the strike straight at the shot-stopper, he was able to palm away, before Dawson forced another save with a looping header.
Despite the possession and the pressure in the second half, the Hammers were unable to mount the needed comeback, with Brentford taking all three points back to west London.
West Ham United: Fabiański, Dawson, Ogbonna, Cresswell, Coufal, Rice ©, L. Paquetá (Souček 82), Emerson (Antonio 64), Bowen, Benrahma, Scamacca
Subs: Areola (GK), Johnson, Kehrer, Aguerd, Downes, Lanzini, Fornals
Booked: Coufal
Brentford: Raya, Roerslev, Zanka, Pinnock, Mee, Henry, Jensen (Janelt 59), Nørgaard ©, Dasilva (Ghoddos 67), Mbeumo (Wissa 59), Toney (Jansson 90+3)
Subs: Cox (GK), Trevitt, Damsgaard, Lewis-Potter, Canós
Goals: Toney 18, Dasilva 43
Referee: Darren England
Attendance: 62,467
