West Ham 0-2 Brentford: Main Talking Points As Brentford Pile More Pressure On David Moyes’ Shoulders

Putting in another eye-catching display on Friday night, Brentford piled more pressure on David Moyes’ shoulders as they claimed a 2-0 victory at the London Stadium.

Despite having to soak up a fair amount of pressure during the opening exchanges, the Bees eventually cruised their way to all three points as goals from Ivan Toney and Josh Dasilva helped Thomas Frank’s side extend their unbeaten run to five games.

Finding a route into the top-half, Friday’s result in east London could possibly be the final nail in Moyes’ coffin.

Marking their return on Boxing Day with a 3-1 loss away at Arsenal, the Hammers have now lost each of their last five Premier League outings and are enduring a real nightmare.

Falling worryingly short in what was billed as a must-win showdown, we have taken a look at the main talking points as Brentford claimed London bragging rights.

Brentford can claim a top-half finish

Although Brentford might have been disappointed to have thrown away their two-goal lead against Tottenham on Boxing Day, they have once again gained plenty of praise since opening the 2022/23 campaign.

While Friday’s victory at the London Stadium might have been just their fifth Premier League win of the season, Frank’s men have really gained a reputation for their rugged approach.

Heading into the World Cup’s winter break with a famous 2-1 win away at defending champions Manchester City, the Bees should now have a maiden top-half finish at the top of their agenda in 2023.

Now taking seven points from their last three Premier League showdowns against West Ham, Spurs and City, the mood in west London should be at a real high heading into the New Year.

Announcing last week that Frank has signed a new deal that will run until 2027, Brentford have continued to prove that they’re a tough test for anyone across the Premier League.

Breaking their way into the top-10 and looking to make real history this season, the Bees will be desperate to spring another upset when they welcome Liverpool to the capital next week.

Heartbreak for Toney

Although Toney might still find himself at the center of an FA investigation into potential rule breaks regarding betting, the one-time Newcastle starlet hasn’t let that get in the way of his stellar free-scoring run.

Despite being disappointed after missing out on a spot in Gareth Southgate’s England squad this winter, the 26-year-old has bagged back-to-back Premier League strikes since returning from the festive break.

However, despite once again getting on the scoresheet here and extending on his clinical purple patch, it ended in heartbreak for Toney after being stretchered off with a worrying knee injury in the final moments.

Appearing in some real distress, there will be growing concerns in Frank’s camp that they will be without their attacking talisman for the foreseeable future.

Opening the scoring at the London Stadium after poking home from close range, Toney has racked up 12 Premier League strikes this season – a tally that is only surpassed by Harry Kane and Erling Haaland.

Is this the end of David Moyes?

While Moyes might have once again gained a string of plaudits last season as West Ham reached the Europa League semi-finals, the Hammers have certainly come crashing back down to earth this time around.

Despite really breaking the bank during the summer transfer window and spending in the region of £170million, Moyes has failed to offer Friday’s hosts any kind of stability and they now find themselves at the heart of a relegation scrap.

Knowing that they could open 2023 sat rock-bottom of the table, the east London outfit have lost 11 of their 17 Premier League matchups this season and it appears that Moyes’ tenure is coming to a messy end.

Met by a chorus of boos at the full-time whistle and with many fans around the London Stadium feeling that a change in the dugout is essential, Friday’s showing will only intensify the pressure on the former Manchester United boss.

Now losing each of their last five straight top-flight outings, it is hard to see how Moyes can find a way to kickstart West Ham’s woeful Premier League rut.

Certainly failing to get the best out of his talented squad, it remains to be seen if Moyes will be in charge of the Hammers’ trip to Elland Road next week.

Match Report

West Ham: Fabianski, Ogbonna, Dawson, Cresswell, Rice, Paqueta, Coufal, Emerson, Benrahma, Bowen, Scamacca

Subs: Antonio, Soucek

Brentford: Raya, Jorgensen, Pinnock, Mee, Henry, Jensen, Norgaard, Dasilva, Roserslev, Mbeumo, Toney

Subs: Janelt, Jansson, Ghoddos, Wissa

Goals: Toney (18′), Dasilva (43′)

Yellow Cards: Coufal

Red Cards: N/A

Referee: Darren England