The Weight of Defeat: West Ham's Historic Home Losing Streak
West Ham's struggles continue, with the team suffering their fifth consecutive home defeat for the first time since 1931. This latest loss highlights the depth of the problems plaguing the Hammers.
The match got off to a worrying start for West Ham, with Brentford dominating possession and chances...
Brentford's victory highlighted West Ham's struggles, with the Hammers facing their fifth consecutive home defeat for the first time since 1931. This latest loss underscored the team's ongoing issues.
West Ham's performance against Brentford was subpar, and on a different day, Brentford could have potentially won by a larger margin, possibly four or five goals.
West Ham United's Struggles Continue
West Ham United's last win in the Premier League was on March 10, and their recent home form hasn't been much better. With three losses, 10 goals conceded, and only two scored at home this season, manager Nuno Espirito Santo faces a tough challenge. A fan protest against the ownership led to thousands staying away from the stadium, and those who attended were largely quiet throughout the match.
Nuno's squad selection, which left out key players like El Hadji Malick Diouf, Konstantinos Mavropanos, Soungoutou Magassa, and Aaron Wan-Bissaka, didn't help the team's cause. Lucas Paquetá made his 100th appearance for West Ham United, but it wasn't a memorable one. He struggled with passing, completing just 63.4% of his passes, and lost possession 23 times, giving the impression he was off his game.
WHAT. A. PERFORMANCE. pic.twitter.com/la3NcW7QVq
— Brentford FC (@BrentfordFC) October 20, 2025
Brentford Dominates Early
The match got off to a worrying start for West Ham, with Brentford dominating possession and chances. By the eighth minute, the visitors had already conceded three corners and taken three shots from Kevin Schade. The pressure continued throughout the first half, with Brentford enjoying an astonishing 74.8% possession. They managed 16 crosses and 14 shots at goal, four of which were on target. West Ham's only notable effort in the first half came from Matheus Fernandes, who shot off-target on 10 minutes. It was surprising it took Brentford until the 43rd minute to score, with Igor Thiago finally breaking the deadlock with a well-placed shot at the far post.
West Ham's fans likely sensed disaster given their poor record when conceding first in the Premier League. Since beating Luton Town on May 11, 2024, they've failed to win any of their last 27 matches after conceding first.
West Ham's inability to score before halftime sealed their fate, marking the seventh time in eight top-flight games this season they've failed to find the net before the break. This dismal record is unmatched by any other Premier League team this season.
Henderson Sets the Standard
Jordan Henderson exemplified the spirit and fight West Ham needs, showcasing a remarkable display in the first half. The 35-year-old's work rate and effort were an inspiration, leaving him with the most touches on the pitch by halftime. His performance was a stark contrast to the team's struggles, highlighting the need for others to follow his lead.
West Ham's brief flurry of activity at the start of the second half soon dissipated, and the game reverted to a familiar pattern. Brentford dominated possession, passing the ball around with ease, while West Ham struggled to mount a challenge. The silence from the stands was telling, underscoring the team's lack of energy and resistance.
Brentford's 451 passes, over 100 more than West Ham, highlighted their dominance. West Ham's lack of potency was evident, with only one shot on target in the entire match. Meanwhile, Brentford had 20 shots from inside the area, with seven on target, showcasing their attacking threat.
Lack of Attacking Threat
West Ham's attacking woes were evident, with only Jarrod Bowen and Crysencio Summerville managing more than one touch in the opposition penalty area. With the team struggling against relegation, their inability to create scoring opportunities is a major concern.
A total of 14 touches in the 18-yard area is a damning statistic, highlighting West Ham's lack of attacking intent. Thiago alone accounted for 10 of those touches, while seven Brentford players had multiple touches in the West Ham box. Mathias Jensen sealed the win for the visitors in stoppage time, and West Ham can consider themselves fortunate not to have lost by an even wider margin before that. The defeat will likely prompt an inquest, and it won't be hard to pinpoint the turning points in the match.
The work from KLP, the finish from Mathias 😍 pic.twitter.com/CToavKKe0d
— Brentford FC (@BrentfordFC) October 21, 2025
Lack of Fight
West Ham's lack of fight was evident, particularly on the flanks, where they offered no attacking threat. Crysencio Summerville's two successful dribbles were the only highlight in this area. The team's inability to win the ball back, with only two interceptions all game, is another major concern that needs addressing. This lack of fight and intensity is perhaps the most worrying aspect of the current squad.
The lack of fight and intensity has been a persistent issue under Julen Lopetegui and Graham Potter, and it's concerning to see it resurface under Nuno. The January transfer window can't come soon enough, and the club will be hoping it's not too late to turn things around. With West Ham's current form, there's a real risk of becoming a lost cause if significant improvements aren't made.
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