Kevin Schade’s first-half goal ensured Brentford claimed a hard-fought Premier League victory at West Ham.
The result means the Bees, who sit 11th in the table, have won three consecutive matches away from home for the first time ever in the top flight.
However, it proved to be another disappointing afternoon for Graham Potter’s West Ham side, who have now lost three matches out of four since defeating Fulham on 14 January.
A bit like the reverse fixture in September, when Brentford scored after 38 seconds, Thomas Frank’s side made the perfect start.
Yoane Wissa’s lofted pass was nodded on by Bryan Mbeumo and Germany international Schade raced clear to score at the second attempt, with goal-line technology confirming that home goalkeeper Alphonse Areola had been beaten.
With the visitors in complete control for much of the first period, Schade hit the outside of the post and Wissa twice had goals ruled out for offside.
The second of those came after what had appeared to be a fine move until VAR intervened and found that Kristoffer Ajer had been offside in the build-up.
With the home fans appearing restless, a number of boos greeted the half-time whistle.
And while the hosts sent on-loan Brighton forward Evan Ferguson on for his debut and delivered a significantly improved performance after the break, they were unable to find a way through a resolute Brentford defence.
West Ham’s woes continue
With Michail Antonio and Niclas Fullkrug both still unavailable and Crysencio Summerville also yet to return from injury, West Ham’s options in attack remain limited.
However, Potter will take some encouragement that whatever was said at the interval, along with the introduction of Ferguson, James Ward-Prowse and Ollie Scarles, had a positive impact.
Republic of Ireland striker Ferguson almost immediately teed Mohammed Kudus up for an equaliser, but the Ghana winger blazed a gilt-edged opportunity over the bar from close range.
Thereafter for all their pressure and greater energy, the hosts struggled to fashion clear-cut chances and there will also be concern that their slow start to games is proving costly.
When Schade opened the scoring it was the 10th time this term that the Hammers had conceded in the first 15 minutes of a match, and they have not won a single game this term after shipping the first goal.
