Chris Wise slams ‘tepid and tired’ West Ham after 2-0 loss v Brentford
West Ham missed the chance to gain ground in the race for the top four in the Premier League after suffering defeat away at Brentford.
Second-half goals from Bryan Mbuemo and Ivan Toney gave the Bees the 2-0 win that almost certainly secures their Premier League safety while simultaneously putting the Irons’ Champions League hopes on the ropes.
With Arsenal and Manchester United both losing on Saturday, this was a big chance for David Moyes’ side to claw some points back on their European-chasing rivals but they left the Brentford Community Stadium disappointed.
BBC Radio 5 Live commentator Chris Wise was not impressed with the Hammers’ display on the other side of the capital.
“It was a tepid and tired display from West Ham,” he said on the BBC’s matchday feed (16:20). “Feels like the efforts of Thursday night against Lyon caught up with them today.”
Prioritise
In theory, the Premier League top four chase is still far from over for West Ham despite the odds being stacked against them with Arsenal ahead with games in hand.
But if we’re being realistic for a moment, the way the Irons are playing right now will not get them to Champions League football via the Premier League.
What Moyes and his squad need to do now is make sure they are100% focused on the Europa League where they can still qualify for the world’s biggest club competition.
We’re level with Lyon at 1-1 after the first leg at the London Stadium so we need a big night this coming Thursday in France but if we get through that, then we could be seen as favourites for the competition.
Admittedly, we could face Barcelona in the semi-final if we get through but they are a shadow of their former self and won’t fancy taking us on if we are on form.
In other West Ham news, see who we rated at a dismal 1/10 and who was our man of the match against Brentford in our player ratings.
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