A disappointing defeat away at Brentford concludes what was a positive week for the Hammers after midweek cup success.
West Ham were leading 2-1 before Brentford fought back in the second half to give the West London side the three points.
It was a flat second-half performance that gave Brentford the onus in the second 45 after a decent first-half display which saw a Mohammed Kudus special along with Jarrod Bowen scoring for the sixth away game running.
To compound the defeat, Michail Antonio missed an open goal with the Hammers 2-1 ahead which would have almost guaranteed a win with the two goal lead.
However, it was a collective failure within the performance as opposed to the miss from Antonio. It was another example of West Ham floundering after sitting on a lead.
While sitting on the 2-1 lead, David Moyes’ side were unambitious, their threat on the counterattack nonexistent, coupled with a misguided plan. It could not work with Kurt Zouma absent in defence and the suspended Edson Álvarez unable to provide security in defensive midfield.
Brentford took advantage of the obvious frailties leaving West Ham and Moyes wondering if they could have done more when leading.
West Ham wilted in the second half, with Emerson Palmieri receiving no protection from Said Benrahma, as well as Tomas Souceck and James Ward-Prowse failing to get close enough to Mathias Jensen who was pulling the strings for the Bees.
What happens next for West Ham?
It’s important not to get too carried away with the defeat. Brentford are a good side, and there is a League Cup quarter-final to look forward to thanks to the midweek win over Arsenal.
But there needs to be serious learnings for Moyes to take otherwise his tenure could come to close sooner than many will want and anticipate.
Big expectations will follow and Moyes has to deliver.
