Jarrod Bowen scored his first senior hat-trick to ease the pressure on West Ham manager David Moyes as his side claimed a much-needed Premier League win over Brentford.
The hosts had not won a game in 2024 before Monday night, with their last fixture at London Stadium a 6-0 loss to Arsenal that saw hundreds of home fans leave at half-time.
But West Ham responded in style as they went 2-0 up inside 10 minutes against the struggling Bees.
Bowen got his first goal in the fifth minute with a strike that went in off the post, before the England forward scored again two minutes later as he slotted in Vladimir Coufal’s pass.
Neal Maupay swiftly halved the deficit with a scooped finish, then Brentford had claims for a penalty waved away when Mohammed Kudus nudged Sergio Reguilon over inside the box.
A nervous spell followed as Brentford threatened to level but Bowen headed home his third midway through the second half, much to the relief of the Hammers fans.
Emerson capped a perfect night for West Ham with a fantastic strike into the top corner and, although Yoane Wissa scored a second for Brentford, it was not enough to deny the hosts victory.
West Ham move up to eighth in the Premier League while Brentford stay 16th, five points above the relegation zone.
Loss leaves Brentford looking over shoulder
Like West Ham, Brentford’s recent form has been poor, with just two wins in their past 11 Premier League games before this defeat.
They dropped a place on Monday without kicking a ball after Everton’s penalty for breaching Premier League financial rules was reduced from 10 points to six after an appeal, moving the Toffees above Thomas Frank’s side.
Brentford are five points above the relegation zone but could not have got off to a worse start in their bid to claim a much-needed win with the two early West Ham goals.
They did improve after Maupay got a goal back but another two quickfire strikes after the break ended their hopes of a fightback and leaves them nervously looking over their shoulder.
It does not get any easier for the Bees with Chelsea at home and Arsenal away over the next two Saturdays.
