Brentford demolish West Ham to rise to sixth and enhance Tottenhams prospects for staying up

The Hammers endured a shocking beginning, as Dango Ouattara sent a shot narrowly past the upright in the very first minute.

The inevitable strike arrived in the middle of the opening period, with Kayode on hand to bundle the ball across the goal line following a deflection from the frame. Upon checking, Konstantinos Mavropanos received the unfortunate attribution, ruled to have made the final contact.

Nuno Espirito Santos team mounted a solid comeback, and just the upright prevented Taty Castellanos from levelling things immediately with his smart looping shot.

The away side then seemed to secure the equaliser, as Mavropanos scored correctly this time, yet VAR spotted a tight offside call that halted the joy.

The Bees could have worsened the Hammers plight when Mads Hermansen was caught out after rushing forward carelessly, but Mikkel Damsgaard failed to slot into the empty goal from distance.

The frame was hit once more prior to halftime, with Castellanos denied again, while Hermansen shone to block Keane Lewis Potter from near the line.

West Ham started the second half disastrously, as a reckless foul by El Hadji Malick Diouf handed Igor Thiago the opportunity to extend the advantage via penalty.

The leagues second top marksman slotted it away confidently, confronting the Irons with a steep uphill battle and apparently sapping their energy, as Brentford established a rhythm of assured dominance.

A burst of brilliance by Crysencio Summerville raised hopes of a turnaround, but the travelling supporters stared in astonishment as his dribble ended with the ball striking the bar.

In the closing 10 minutes, Damsgaard sealed the victory definitively, pivoting quickly inside the area before guiding the shot into the far corner.

This success marked only Brentfords third win in their previous 16 capital clashes, all against these very foes.

The result lifts them to sixth position, after Brightons setback against Newcastle.

West Hams initial loss in four outings leaves them deeply entangled in the relegation fight, and Tottenham can push them towards the drop zone with a triumph over Aston Villa on Sunday.