Monday Night Football: West Ham 2-1 Brentford – Neal Maupay pulls one back for Bees after Jarrod Bowen’s quickfire double… while the FA Cup fairytale looks over for Maidstone
Fantasy Premier League users, how many of you have Jarrod Bowen on your team?
If you are like me and you don’t, I’m guessing you’re regretting it, I know I am.
He has been spell-binding for the Hammers so far.
WATCH: Maupay halves the deficit for Brentford
West Ham were on fire until this happened.
After West Ham’s ferocious start, I feared for the Bees, I thought they could capitulate.
However, they didn’t, they did the opposite. They rose to the challenge and Neal Maupay halved the deficit.
Watch how he did it below. It was a fine finish.
SECOND-HALF: Coventry 3-0 Maidstone
Back underway at the CBS Arena.
This could be a long half for this Maidstone side, they have to stay tight at the back and ensure damage-limitation.
You never know, maybe they will even get a goal for themselves.
HALF-TIME: West Ham 2-1 Brentford
That was a great first half.
Whatever David Moyes said before the match certainly worked, West Ham got off to an absolute flyer.
Jarrod Bowen netted twice within the first seven minutes to set West Ham on their way, and it set the West Ham fans off – the London Stadium’s atmosphere was unbelievable.
However, Neal Maupay silenced them in the 15th minute bringing the visitors back into it with a lovely finish.
There was a bit of a lull following the first 15 minutes of craziness, but it returned before the half came to an end.
I’m a bit gutted that we had to hear the whistle.
West Ham 2-1 Brentford
Big chance for Ivan Toney.
Once again though, the flag goes up. The ball falls to the English striker following a set piece, but Mavropanos does well to put him off and he slices wide.
That would have been a huge sucker punch to West Ham right before half-time.
Oh well, he missed and it was offside.
West Ham 2-1 Brentford
It’s Soucek again, it’s over again.
It comes from a set piece and falls just inside the six-yard box. Soucek stretches to meet it but it flies over the bar.
The offside flag spares his blushes, he should really have done better with that chance.
Soucke has missed a few good chances this half.
West Ham 2-1 Brentford
Tomas Soucek loves a header.
West Ham are starting to knock on the Brentford door again and Soucek tries to restore that two-goal cushion.
It’s a lovely cross from Emerson, but the goal is just a little behind the Czech midfielder, who arches his neck back to get his head on it.
It’s a good effort, but it loops over the bar.
WATCH: Bowen’s brace fires West Ham into an early two-goal lead
Well, this feels like a long time ago, but it did happen.
What a start Jarrod Bowen and west Ham had to this game, both goals were taken with aplomb.
West ham fans, I know you are itching to relive them both, so here you go.
West Ham 2-1 Brentford
Mohammed Kudus comes close from distance.
The Hammers’ number 14 drives at the Brentford defence before firing just wide from outside the area.
It’s a great run from Kudus, but I don’t think he should have shot from there, and neither does James Ward-Prowse from the look of his reaction.
Positive play though from the Hammers.
HALF-TIME: Coventry 3-0 Maidstone
Coventry have one foot in the last eight.
That was a scintillating first half from the Sky Blues, who seem to be taking their anger out from last week’s humbling, on Maidstone.
You have to feel for the non-league side, they have been brilliant to get to this stage, but this seems like one step too far from them.
Ellis Simms has been on fire, netting a fabulous hattrick – three strikers finishes.
I think they have this one in the bag now.
West Ham 2-1 Brentford
Now that the game has calmed down, Brentford look like they are having more joy.
They look more comfortable and are enjoying their fair share of possession, they now just have to get it further up the pitch.
The London Stadium has certainly got quieter, it was raucous earlier, which will please the Bees.
Can they find a leveller?
GOAL!!! Coventry 3-0 Maidstone (Simms 35′)
And that should be that, already. Ellis Simms has his hattrick inside 35 minutes as he slides home the rebound from Kasey Palmer’s shot from distance.
These two have been incredible so far, Maidstone can’t cope.
Sadly, this could be any number.
West Ham 2-1 Brentford
It has calmed down a little now, that opening 15 minutes was electric, and I barely had a chance to think.
West Ham are back in control now though, they are still chasing a third and the way this game is going, I wouldn’t be surprised if they got it soon.
West Ham 2-1 Brentford
Oooooh, Mohammed Kudus, that is silly.
He has gotten away with it but Kudus for some reason decides to shove Sergio Reguilon to the ground inside the area.
That could easily have gone another way, he is a lucky boy.
This game is being played at 100mph.
GOAL!!! West Ham 2-1 Brentford (Maupay 13′)
Keane Lewis Potter has already made an impact as he slides through Neal Maupay who finishes into the top corner.
It was a brilliant run, a brilliant pass, and a brilliant finish.
That is just the response this game needed. They aren’t giving me any time to write about anything else, basically every shot has been a goal.
We love this kind of game… as a neutral anyway.
GOAL!!! West Ham 2-0 Brentford (Bowen 7′)
OH MY WORD! Two in seven minutes, West Ham are on fire.
This is unbelievable football, I certainly didn’t predict this before the game.
It’s Bowen once again, and this one is his 13th Premier League goal of the season.
West Ham work it well to Vladimir Coufal on the righthand side, who cuts it across to Bowen for a first-time finish. Stunning.
Brentford are shell-shocked, and West Ham are elated.
GOAL!!! West Ham 1-0 Brentford (Bowen 5′)
I was just writing about Tomas Soucek’s big miss, but only moments later Jarrod Bowen opens the scoring for the Hammers.
They have been electric in the opening moments of this game and Bowen has put them ahead with a fabulous finish.
Brentford think there is a foul on Frank Onyeka in the build-up, but that would have been soft.
It is then brilliant play from the home side as they work the ball into the box, and Bowen smashes the ball emphatically past Mark Flekken.
The London Stadium erupts!
GOAL!!! Coventry 2-0 Maidstone (Simms 15′)
It goes from bad to worse for Maidstone.
Coventry have come out all guns blazing and been rewarded for it. Ellis Simms has his second of the night within 15 minutes.
It’s another assist for Kasey Palmer and it’s a nice dummy from Haji Wright on it’s way to Simms, who smashes it home into the bottom corner.
It’s a long way back now for the non-league side.
KICK-OFF: West Ham 0-0 Brentford
I love ‘I’m forever blowing bubbles’ – what song it is.
The West ham fans are up for this, and their players are going to need all the support they can get.
We are underway here at the London Stadium now, let’s see how this one plays out.
The home side will want to get off on the front foot.
GOAL!!! Coventry 1-0 Maidstone (Simms 10′)
The best possible start for Coventry, but the worst possible one for Maidstone.
The Sky Blues have managed to do what Ipswich couldn’t – take an early lead against Maidstone.
It’s Ellis Simms with the goal, and that was too easy, Maidstone lose the ball in midfield and are punished for it.
Kasey Palmer slides in a lovely ball to send the number nine on his way, and he rolls it past Lucas Covolan with ease.
He holds up Tatsushiro Sakamoto’s shirt in support of the forward who is set to be on the sidelines for a long time after a serious injury against Preston. A lovely gesture from Simms.
You fear it could be a tough night for the away side now.
BIG CHANCE! Coventry 0-0 Maidstone
As expected, Coventry have started the better side.
They are putting Maidstone under the cosh, they want an early goal to deflate the away side.
Lucas Covolan has just made a fabulous save from a powerful Haji Wright strike inside the area.
It feels like the start of the Ipswich game, if Covolan can make as many saves as he did that day (12), Maidstone will have a chance.
How long will they be able to hold out?
KICK-OFF: Coventry 0-0 Maidstone
The ball is rolling in Coventry, these next 90 minutes will be huge for the Maidstone players.
We will keep you up to date with all the major ongoings in this one.
Atmosphere building at the CBS Arena
The players are in the tunnel.
The Maidstone United players kept Coventry waiting – I wonder what George Elokobi was saying in the dressing room?
You can see the nearly 5,000 Maidstone fans singing behind the goal, there is a lot of yellow!
Here they come, another big night is in store, whatever happens.
Paqueta’s welcome return
The return of Lucas Paqueta is huge for West Ham.
The Brazilian playmaker is key for the Hammers and his absence has certainly been felt.
Paqueta has five goals and six assists in all competitions this season, he makes them tick.
Will he come back with some more tonight?
FA Cup predictions?
We are just over 15 minutes away from the FA Cup fifth round getting underway in Coventry.
So, we want to hear your predictions for the round.
Will Maidstone mount another shock tonight? Can Nottingham Forest mount more misery on Erik ten Hag? How will Liverpool fare against Southampton after the Carabao Cup final?
This round has so many interesting storylines, starting with tonight!
David Moyes: ‘When you are not playing well the big thing is to not concede any goals’
David Moyes speaking pre-match to Sky Sports:
We had a really great start to the season and then a bad January and February.
Hopefully, Lucas (Paqueta) coming back will help that. Mohammed coming back from the African Cup of Nations, he hasn’t really come back as well as he was.
When you are not playing well the big thing is to not concede any goals, and find a way of getting through it.
Is Europe still a possibility for the Hammers?
Europe has become somewhat the norm for West Ham.
Winning the Europa Conference league last season was one of the club’s greatest ever achievements and they are doing well in the Europa League this season, as they are set to take on Freiburg in the last 16.
If you asked me a couple months ago if they would make Europe once again, I’d confidently have said yes. If you asked me now, I’d say no.
Nonetheless, they are still in the hunt for European football. If they win tonight, they will rise back to eighth in the table.
Their European dreams aren’t dead yet.
Moyes ‘offered new contract’ despite being under pressure
Some West Ham fans want him out, but it seems the club wants David Moyes to stay.
2024 has been a rocky year so far for the Hammers – they are yet to win a league game this year – and the pressure on David Moyes has been ramped up on the outside.
The Irons boss’ contract is set to expire at the end of the season and he is yet to commit his future to the club, however, Moyes has revealed West Ham have offered him a new contract.
I’m the one deciding I want to wait until the end of the season, to make sure everything is correct, to concentrate on this season.’
Is he the right man to steer the club in the right direction?
Brentford starting XI – Lewis-Potter starts
Well, I was not expecting this line-up, I don’t quite know why though.
Keane Lewis-Potter starts for the Bees, while Neal Maupay returns from the start after being benched for their 1-0 loss to Man City last week.
Frank Onyeka was a player that impressed me at the Etihad, and he keeps his place.
West Ham starting XI – Paqueta starts
Lucas Paqueta makes his return from the start as David Moyes makes three changes to the side that lost to Nottingham Forest 2-0.
There were fears Michail Antonio would miss the game through injury, but he is fit enough to make the bench.
Is this line-up strong enough to secure the win?
Bees arrive at London Stadium
Brentford have arrived at the London Stadium, and the team looks fairly relaxed before this London derby.
Who will be starting for them in this huge match? we will find out in just a couple of minutes.
How Maidstone United line-up
Here is how Maidstone United line-up for arguably one of the biggest nights in the club’s history.
Both goalscorers from their historic win over Ipswich in the fourth round start – Lamar Reynolds and Sam Corne.
Can this starting XI create more history.
Coventry starting XI – Palmer returns
Coventry are not taking tonight lightly.
They have made seven changes from the side that lost 3-0 at home to Preston.
Kasey Palmer returns to the fold, and we know how dangerous he can be – Maidstone will want to keep him quiet.
Gary Neville: Everton’s reduced point deduction puts ‘more pressure on Brentford’
Gary Neville speaking on Sky Sports’ Monday Night Football:
I don’t think it can be a good effect, going down the table. Brentford will know they still need to amass another few points before they can call themselves safe.
I think they will be safe but there is more pressure on them and other clubs will be more nervous and thinking about punishments.
Coventry aim to spoil the Maidstone party
Mark Robins speaking to the Coventry website before the match:
The FA Cup is a brilliant competition, and we say it every year and Maidstone being at this stage of the competition goes to show that it is still the case.
You talk about the fa cup and the romance of it and this tie typifies that and we know the neutral will be rooting for Maidstone, but we will be doing our utmost to disappoint them.
Up for the cup!
The Maidstone United players have arrived at the CBS arena, and they look like they are having a great time already.
They are expected to have just under 5,000 fans in their corner of the ground today, which is double their average home crowd attendance.
Some fans have started filtering in already. What an occasion it is for them, they would have never thought they would see their team in this position.
They are soaking it all in.
Three times a charm for Maidstone United?
The FA Cup giant-killers, Maidstone United, are back in cup action tonight.
No one could have anticipated the cup run George Elokobi’s side would go on, it has been truly remarkable.
The National League South side have won seven matches in this year’s FA Cup to become the lowest-ranked team to reach the fifth round since Blyth Spartans in 1977-78.
Maidstone have beaten the likes of League One side Stevenage and Championship promotion hopefuls Ipswich Town en route to tonight’s clash with Coventry City.
They have provided shocks time and time again in this competition and I don’t see why they couldn’t do it again.
However, the Sky Blues have motivation of their own as they aim to reach a first quarter-final in 15 years.
This game is set up for another FA Cup classic and I can’t wait. Will Maidstone’s dream run continue?
Relegation battle looming for Brentford?
16th is not the league position many were expecting Brentford to be in, come this time of the season.
Ever since the Bees secured promotion to the Premier League in 2021, I have loved watching them play – they have been one of my favourite sides to cover over the last couple of years.
It would be a shame to lose them from the league, but they could be in genuine danger of relinquishing their top-tier status if their form continues.
After Everton’s 10-point deduction has been reduced to six, the west London side have dropped a position and sit just five points clear of Luton who occupy the last of the relegation spots.
It must now be a concern for Thomas Frank’s team that they will come embroiled in a relegation dogfight.
A win tonight would go a long way toward easing that pressure, but it will be tough against a West Ham side who are also desperate for a win.
With all that’s on the line, I bet it ends up a 0-0 snooze fest… I hope not though.
West Ham aiming to break Brentford hoodoo
When you look at the table, you might think, West Ham are enjoying a great season.
However, if you ask Hammers fans around the country, they will tell you otherwise. There have even been calls for the club to sack David Moyes. I know right, a bit harsh, I think.
That being said, the club are on a terrible run of form, slipping further and further down the league with every point dropped.
A match against struggling Brentford is exactly the kind of fixture that can be used to get back to winning ways, but their record against the Bess is far from impressive.
The Hammers hate the sight of Thomas Frank’s side., they have lost all five league encounters with them since Brentford’s promotion. Their only win against them since 1993 came in last season’s FA Cup third round.
The stats are not lining up in the Irons’ favour tonight.
Tonight’s plan of action
As we stated, it is not only Premier League action tonight, so what do we have in store for you?
West Ham v Brentford, 20:00 GMT
Coventry City v Maidstone United, 19:45 GMT, FA Cup fifth round
Both are enticing games that I can’t wait to see unfold. We will be following them right here, so don’t go anywhere.
Good evening!
Is anyone else still recovering from a crazy weekend of football?
I still am, but it’s not over yet, the matches keep on coming – there is no rest for the wicked. I wouldn’t want it any other way, as Patrice Evra says, I love this game.
We have a London derby coming your way tonight with a lot on the line. West Ham and Brentford have both been on wretched runs in the league and will want that to change tonight.
David Moyes has been on the ropes of late due to Hammers’ eight-match winless run in the league, while the Bees are starting to flirt with the relegation zone. It could be a tasty clash.
As well as Premier League action, the FA Cup fifth round starts tonight, and it could start with a bang.
Giant-killers Maidstone United’s cup run continues in Coventry as they face off with the Championship Sky Blues in their backyard.
If you have followed the Stones’ journey, you will know how exciting tonight is set to be. If they manage to jump another hurdle, they will become the lowest-ranked side ever to reach the last eight of the competition.
It is set to be another fascinating night of football. Make sure you follow this live blog to get all the latest updates from both matches.
I’m just itching for it all to get underway!
Key Updates
HALF-TIME: West Ham 2-1 Brentford
HALF-TIME: Coventry 3-0 Maidstone
GOAL!!! Coventry 3-0 Maidstone (Simms 35′)
GOAL!!! West Ham 2-1 Brentford (Maupay 13′)
GOAL!!! West Ham 2-0 Brentford (Bowen 7′)
GOAL!!! West Ham 1-0 Brentford (Bowen 5′)
GOAL!!! Coventry 2-0 Maidstone (Simms 15′)
KICK-OFF: West Ham 0-0 Brentford
GOAL!!! Coventry 1-0 Maidstone (Simms 10′)
BIG CHANCE! Coventry 0-0 Maidstone
KICK-OFF: Coventry 0-0 Maidstone
Brentford starting XI – Lewis-Potter starts
West Ham starting XI – Paqueta starts
How Maidstone United line-up
Coventry starting XI – Palmer returns
Tonight’s plan of action
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Monday Night Football: West Ham 2-1 Brentford – Neal Maupay pulls one back for Bees after Jarrod Bowen’s quickfire double… while the FA Cup fairytale looks over for Maidstone
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