Defensive errors cost the Irons

Brentford 3 West Ham 2

It's nailed on that Neal Maupay will end his goal drought against West Ham. The defence misses several chances to clear as the Bees swing cross after cross into the box. Soucek can only head the ball back into the danger area and Maupay heads home for his first goal in 14 months. His last goal came against West Ham too. 

The response from the Hammers is good though. Antonio crosses and Kudus performs a brilliant bicycle kick to level the score with a stunning effort. The Hammers go ahead when Benrahma plays in an enticing cross, Kudus pokes it against the post and Bowen scores the rebound, to create a new record of scoring in six away games in a row. 

It should be 3-1 when neat play from Kudus and Bowen sees Jarrod cross into the box and Antonio get in the way of Benrahma to shoot wide when Said had a tap-in. Benrahma looks exasperated. There's a warning before the break as Brentford come back and Mbuemo shoots just wide.

I'm feeling quite optimistic while getting the scores on my mobile at the Mildmay Club in Stoke Newington, where my pub quiz pal Adrian Whittaker is launching his book Be Glad on the Incredible String Band and lots of old folkies have arrived to play songs from the Sixties. The answer to West Ham's defensive malaise is blowing in the wind, however.

After the break Aguerd concedes a needless corner with a heavy touch. The first corner is cleared but Mbuemo then swings in a dangerous cross. Areola doesn't come for it and Mavropanos, trying to head it over the bar, can only head past Areola in Dowie-esque fashion. Fornals and Ings come on but on 69 minutes the Hammers concede from a long throw. Jensen gets in another fine cross and Collins rises above Aguerd and Coufal to head home. 

The best the Hammers can produce in response is an effort over the bar from Fornals. All that's left is to commiserate with Big Joe who was at the Bus Stop in Hounslow. That's five wins out of five for Brentford against us in the Premier League. At least Moyes sounds annoyed and says that as a player he would have been "disgusted" with himself for not dealing better with the goals.  

Yes, West Ham missed Zouma, Paqueta and Alvarez and played in midweek, but they have to do better than this. Moyes' side has conceded 20 goals so far and should have far more points from the number of goals scored. Aguerd, for all his quality, is making too many errors, Mavropanos is still raw, Areola needs to be more assertive and the full-backs need to concentrate on defending. Dramatic improvement is needed.