Brentford got off to a slower start than they are typically used to these days, but suffered an all too familiar fate in the end, as they drew West Ham 1-1 in west London on Saturday.
WATCH BRENTFORD v WEST HAM FULL MATCH REPLAY
Sure, the Bees became the first side to score in the 1st minute of three straight Premier League games, but they needed 37 seconds to do it this time — and that’s just unacceptable by their own lofty standards. Unfortunately, Brentford also became the first side to fail to win three straight games after scoring in the 1st minute (citation needed).
Bryan Mbeumo scored the goal with a sensational volley for the second straight week, just as he did against Tottenham last weekend, but once again Thomas Frank’s side was unable to protect its lead and pick up all three points. West Ham had just one side from inside 10 yards in the game, and they scored from it. Not a well-worked or thought-out chance either, but a knock-down second ball hooked home by Tomas Soucek. The Hammers were stale out of ideas in possession of the ball, as they took 19 shots and amassed just 0.71 xG (under 0.04 per shot), but they took the one real chance Brentford gave them.
No lead is ever safe with Brentford
On one hand, scoring in the 1st minute is clearly a great way to start every game. On the other hand, defending a one-goal lead for 89 minutes have proven an impossible task for Brentford, as they have just one point to show for their record-breaking run. The first two were written off as Manchester City and Tottenham are two ultra-attacking teams, but this is a problem that runs much deeper than three weeks in September. The Bees have now dropped 38 points from a winning position since the start of last season, six more than anyone else in the PL. Maybe try waiting until the 90th minute to score next week.
Player ratings - Brentford vs Leicester
What’s next?
- Brentford vs Wolves - Saturday, Oct. 5 (10 am ET)
- West Ham vs Ipswich - Saturday, Oct. 5 (10 am ET)
Brentford vs West Ham updates - by Andy Edwards
Brentford vs West Ham final score: 1-1
Goalscorers: Bryan Mbeumo (1'), Tomas Soucek (55')
GOAL! Brentford 1-1 West Ham: Tomas Soucek pounces as Bees blow another lead (55')
GOAL! Brentford 1-0 West Ham: Bryan Mbeumo does it AGAIN in the 1st minute (37 seconds)
The first team in @premierleague history to score in the first minute in three consecutive games
— Brentford FC (@BrentfordFC) September 28, 2024
Brentford Football Club ⚡️
Brentford starting lineup
Flekken - Collins, Van den Berg, Pinnock, Ajer - Janelt, Damsgaard, Carvalho - Mbeumo, Lewis-Potter, Schade
West Ham starting lineup
Areola - Wan-Bissaka, Todibo, Kilman, Emerson - Soucek, Rodriguez, Paqueta - Bowen, Kudus, Antonio
How to watch Brentford vs West Ham live, stream link and start time
Kick off time: 10 am ET Saturday (September 28)
Venue: Gtech Community Stadium
TV Channel: USA Network
Streaming: Watch live on NBC.com
Brentford focus, team news
Wissa is expected to be out until November with an ankle injury, while summer signings Gustavo Nunes (back) and Igor Thiago (knee) won’t be back until at least October and “late 2024,” respectively. Mbeumo has scored four of Brentford’s seven Premier League goals this season; Wissa has scored the other three. Fabio Carvalho made his first PL start for Brentford last weekend and will likely retain his place going forward given the rash of injuries to attacking players.
OUT: Josh Dasilva (knee), Rico Henry (knee), Aaron Hickey (thigh), Igor Thiago (knee), Gustavo Nunes (lower back), Mathias Jensen (calf), Yoane Wissa (ankle) | QUESTIONABLE: Christian Norgaard (undisclosed)
West Ham focus, team news
OUT: Edson Alvarez (suspension) | QUESTIONABLE: Niclas Fullkrug (thigh)
Brentford vs West Ham prediction
Brentford have beaten West Ham five of six times they met in the PL, and it’s little wonder considering they’re a nightmare to play against. West Ham already struggle with the ball, and Brentford will make matters much worse when they press. Brentford 2-1 West Ham.
