Igor Thiago’s double twice brought Brentford level at London Stadium, but West Ham’s flawless shoot-out left Keith Andrews’ side one game short of the FA Cup quarter-finals.
Brentford’s FA Cup run ended in painful fashion on Monday night as West Ham won 5-3 on penalties after a 2-2 draw at London Stadium. Igor Thiago struck twice for the visitors in normal time, cancelling out Jarrod Bowen’s brace, but the Bees were punished in the shoot-out when Dango Ouattara’s panenka was saved and West Ham converted all five of theirs to seal a quarter-final against Leeds United. For Brentford, it was a night that offered both encouragement in the performance and frustration in the outcome.
Brentford respond twice
There was little in Brentford’s approach to suggest a side overawed by the occasion. The visitors created the first openings, with Jordan Henderson firing over and Michael Kayode forcing Alphonse Areola into a save after good work down the right. Yet it was West Ham who struck first after 19 minutes, Bowen turning in from close range after the hosts had recycled a corner. Brentford’s response was strong. Ouattara beat Ollie Scarles on the outside and delivered for Nathan Collins, whose powerful header was turned in by Thiago for his 20th goal of the season in all competitions.
The setback that followed felt significant. West Ham were awarded a penalty after a VAR review judged Kayode to have fouled Adama Traoré, and Bowen restored the lead from the spot. Brentford also felt they had a case before the break when Kevin Schade went down under a challenge from Mateus Fernandes, but no penalty was given. That left the Bees chasing again, although they remained a threat, particularly through Ouattara’s direct running and Kayode’s work on the right.
Thiago keeps Brentford alive
Brentford’s second equaliser arrived with eight minutes left and again came via a penalty. This time the decision went the visitors’ way after Crysencio Summerville pushed Kayode in the back as the full-back attacked a high ball at the far post. Thiago converted calmly to make it 2-2 and force a tense finish. Keane Lewis-Potter then had a chance to win it in normal time, but his effort from a tight angle drifted wide.
Extra time brought openings at both ends, but Brentford may reflect on the clearest late chance. In first-half stoppage time of extra time, Schade squared for Romelle Donovan, whose shot flew over. Caoimhin Kelleher then produced an impressive save to deny Callum Wilson after the restart, ensuring the tie moved to penalties.
Shoot-out pain
The decisive moment came with Brentford’s second penalty, when Ouattara’s panenka was easily saved by Areola. Thiago, Lewis-Potter and Mathias Jensen all converted, but West Ham were perfect from the spot and went through. Afterwards, Andrews said he was “gutted”, while Collins described it as “a tough one to take” after a tie in which Brentford had enough chances to believe the outcome could have been different. The Bees now turn back to Premier League action, with Wolves due at Gtech Community Stadium on March 16.