Would it be so horrible if this was how life would be without Ivan Toney? Last week, Thomas Frank predicted that his top scorer would want a nine-figure salary, but he wasn’t present due to a minor hamstring injury. That provided Brentford with a Sunday window through which fans, Frank, and players could see into the future.
They went past West Ham, who had goals from Bryan Mbeumo and Yoane Wissa, and what they saw made them happy and cheery. To be too harsh, both players ought to have received more than one point.
No big deal. For the second time this year, Brentford won despite having the most of the possession. A team that has become accustomed to succeeding by pushing is changing. There is a backup plan in case Toney leaves for good or any of the 262 suspected Football Association betting rules violations necessitates a protracted absence.
Frank remarked, “It was the most convincing 2-0 win we’ve seen in a very long time.” “Clear domination on key opportunities, and just how we dominated the game’s flow. I’m overjoyed about that. Although Brentford has only lost twice in this league this year, they would like to change their reputation for squeaker victories. The consistency of the triumph was possibly what many in this area found most pleasant. Brentford would like it if this was the norm as opposed to the exception.
West Ham United were completely distracted against Brentford
Brentford would wish to shed their reputation for narrow victories despite having only lost twice in this division this season. Most people in this region may have enjoyed the victory’s constancy. Brentford would rather if this were the rule rather than the exception.
With these three criteria met, European football is still a mathematical possibility, but one without great likelihood. However, it should be commended that Brentford have not been anxiously scanning the teams below them for some time. A top-10 placing has been achieved.
Brentford’s first goal was straightforward, as West Ham seemed prepared to play shadow defence. Flynn Downes was troubled by Nayef Aguerd’s errant pass, and Mikkel Damsgaard gained control of the ball. After two one-touch passes, Mbeumo was gently putting the ball into the goal. Frank did nothing but rub his chin. From a long throw, the second goal was scored. David Moyes had been gesturing angrily at his defenders, but they disregarded his warnings: Wissa took a quick look as Ben Mee turned on.
Brentford had many chances to increase their advantage after the interval. The best moment occurred when Tomas Soucek, one of two players who, along with Aguerd, were able to keep their West Ham positions from last Thursday’s Conference League semi-final first leg, was careless with the ball. However, Wissa’s right foot lacked a certain level of sophistication. Damsgaard, who went unnoticed from a corner, also made an obvious error.
Brentford’s tactics worked brilliantly
Their opposition must be used to mitigate Brentford’s triumph here. It was obvious that West Ham’s emphasis was elsewhere. Moyes acknowledged as much, and his pre-game assertion that they only had “one eye” on Thursday night in Alkmaar seemed to be stretching the facts a touch. There is nothing wrong with that because league safety is all but guaranteed, and the 90-minute shift needed to deliver the first European final in 47 years now takes precedence.
Later, when Declan Rice, Sad Benrahma, and Divin Mubama were introduced, the game picked up. It may have even been due for a tense conclusion until Danny Ings stooped to score. But Michael Oliver was permitted to view the VAR display. Oliver noticed that Mubama’s hands were up to save him from hitting the post and that the ball had struck his fingers.
Moyes remarked, “Very unusual. “I believe the Premier League publicly referred to it as premeditated handball. Everyone would require an explanation of it, in my opinion. It’s amazing that it was disregarded. While this was a game West Ham would like to forget, if a trip to Prague in early June is confirmed, that may happen this week.
