FA CupWest Ham United 2-2 Brentford
Monday, 9th March 2026
by Chris Wilkerson | Forum match thread
(AET: West Ham win 5-3 on penalties)
They still haven’t won a tie in 90 minutes, but Nuno’s late-shift Hammers are through to the quarter finals of the FA Cup after a 2-2 draw with Brentford went through extra-time and into penalties, with five perfect spot kicks enough to give West Ham a 5-3 win and passage through to a home tie with Leeds United.
By the end, it felt like a must-win match as players like Bowen and Soucek played 120 minutes, whilst an injury to second-half substitute Summerville saw the winger able to jog at best by the end, with all six substitutions used as the teams played extra time. Had all that effort gone in for defeat, it would have been quite the blow.
Instead, West Ham can dream of Wembley, knowing that a victory against fellow strugglers Leeds on the first weekend in April will lead them into a semi-final and out onto the hallowed turf.
The manager had made his priorities clear from the off, with seven changes to the side that beat Fulham in midweek. Only Bowen, Disasi, Soucek and Fernandes remain, which might tell you who the manager sees as his key players.
Amongst the many changes, there was a bit of a surprise to see Pablo returning to fitness and the starting line-up, perfect timing with a group of difficult games coming up. Traore, Kante, Scarles, Walker-Peters, Mavropanos and Areola all got starts.
The first half took its time to get going, with Brentford taking control of the early stages. It was the visitors with the first chance, Walker-Peters losing possession trying to dribble around Kayode, who quickly got it to Damsgaard. The midfielder pushed forward and then pulled a ball back to Henderson on the edge of the West Ham box, but the former Liverpool man blasted over when in space.
It was Kayode with the next opportunity, and he should have done better inside the box. Schade had tried to nutmeg his man and run into the area after it, but it instead became a great pass to the Italian full back, but Kayode lacked confidence and never looked convincing as he ran onto it, side-footing at Areola as the Frenchman rushed off his line to smother the chance.
It was only after a driving run by Traore that West Ham came to life, and turned a slow game into a chaotic one. The winger had done very well to spin his man inside the West Ham half and fly forward, reaching the edge of the Brentford box in a flash, only to drag his shot wide.
Now The Hammers found some pressure, winning the ball back quickly from the Brentford goal kick, but nobody wanted to shoot, instead winning a corner.
That corner was headed out, cleared to the wide right for Fernandes, and the midfielder did brilliantly under pressure to fake the cross with the right, check inside and then deliver a great curling ball to the far post. Soucek went to meet it, and whilst he could only flick it on, he flicked it against Ayer behind him. The ball cannoned off the defender and down into his own six-yard box, where Bowen was on his toes to fire the loose ball into the net and give his side a lead 19 minutes in.
But Brentford struck back just shy of 10 minutes later. Ouattara, who consistently had the better of Scarles down the flank, beat his man again, feigning to cross once but cutting back onto his left instead to create space. He dinked the ball into the middle, and Nathan Collins was forward to meet the ball and head at goal.
Areola would have had it covered, but it glanced off the chest of Thiago in front of goal and deflected it beyond the goalkeeper. His celebration was muted, and he looked offside, but the replays showed Kante deeper than everyone else, having gone over to try block the Ouattara cross. VAR checked for minutes, looking for a possible handball that wasn't there, but there was nothing to find, and Thiago had the sides level with his 20th goal in all competitions this season.
That goal looked one that might turn the momentum back to the away side, but only two minutes later, Traore was tripped in the box by Kayode. The referee waved it away, but once the ball went out, VAR was called in and there was no way the contact on the winger could be ignored.
Traore had pounced on a loose ball by Henderson, who tried a pass to his defender and left it short, but then lost the ball in the box to Kayode. The winger was smart, though, and got his body in front of the full back, between him and the ball, and the defender was foolish, trying to put a boot between the winger's legs to regain possession, only to hook his boot around one of Traore's, tripping him and giving away a needless penalty.
After the replays convinced referee Andy Madley to change his decision, Bowen stepped up and coolly slotted it into the bottom corner as Kelleher dived the wrong way to his left, and the captain's 10th of the season got his side back in front again. He may not be in his best form at the moment, but two goals could do wonders for him, and had him on for a hat trick against the team he scored his only career treble against just over two years ago.
The Hammers were pressing well and working very hard, unsettling Brentford, who were at their most dangerous with corners and long throws into the box.
Kante was leaving a great impression on a rare start for the young midfielder, winning possession in good areas on the front foot, and then making a fantastic sliding challenge in his own box the next minute, with good carrying and a nice range of passing on show, too. There is more than just physicality to his game, even if his size and strength is what separates him from many of the players around his age.
With five minutes to go in the half, it looked like Brentford would get a penalty of their own to bring the scores level again, but Fernandes was saved as VAR sided with the Portuguese midfielder.
Schade was the man who went down, and it appeared Fernandes had missed the ball and stood on the forward's foot. He went down, but this time when Andy Madley waved away the protestations, VAR backed him up. It was a surprise, replays making it look like contact was made on Schade without a touch on the ball, but the VAR disagreed and ratified the referee's decision.
With half time beckoning, both sides could and maybe should have scored. It was Brentford first, a powerful header at the back post after a ball in from the right looked destined for goal, but Scarles had made his way back to his line and blocked the effort on its way into the back of the net.
Then Disasi and Soucek both missed excellent chances. Disasi should have scored, a corner to the far post headed back across goal and glancing off the bar, before bouncing out straight to Disasi in the six-yard box. He took it down well, but the defender rushed his shot and scuffed it off his shin when anything solid would have found the back of the net.
A minute later, Fernandes delivered a great freekick from the right wing, and it curled behind the defence right into the path of Soucek's run. He stooped a little to head it powerfully down at goal, but it was just too close to Kelleher, who still had to react brilliantly to get his left hand down by his feet and palm away.
Still, the hardworking Hammers deserved their 2-1 lead, and a break, as they headed in for half time.
It was somewhat of a surprise to see two substitutes ready to come on as the two sides came back out. The struggling Scarles, who Ouattara had toyed with at times, was replaced by Mayers, but he was joined by Summerville, who took Traore's place, a signal of intent from the manager.
The winger was lively, coming close after 10 minutes of the half, making space and trying to curl at goal, only for his shot to be blocked and deflect towards goal, looping over a scrambling Kelleher but onto the roof of the net.
Castellanos replaced Pablo on the hour, with the striker tiring on his return, and the Hammers were controlling the half well. Summerville kept Kayode busy, beating him often and making a chance for Soucek after great work down the wing, but the midfielder's effort was blocked.
They were passing well, showing nice touches as players like Fernandes and Bowen started some nice one-touch moves to get the side going forward. But they couldn't find a third goal, and that left them vulnerable.
Brentford hadn't created much, but after Magassa gave the ball away in their half, Henderson quickly fired forward and now they were running at a retreating back line. Ouattara, who was about to be subbed, drifted down the left channel and was found in space.
His cross to the far post looked destined for Kayode to head home from close range, but Summerville nudged him in the back as he jumped and stopped him being able to meet the ball.
He immediately turned to protest to the referee, and Madley agreed with him. He was right to, Summerville had made no effort to win the ball and just fouled the man, even if he had tried to be a little subtle with his push.
Thiago stepped up to take the penalty, and converted with the confidence of a man scoring his 21st of the season, a shimmy that forced Areola to pick a side was enough for the Brazilian to hit it in the other direction, the goalkeeper unable to shift his weight to react.
Having controlled most of the half, West Ham now had to hold on as Brentford found a second wind. They had their chance to win it, Lewis-Potter combining well with Damsgaard to get into the box from the left wing, but he chose to shoot at a tight angle, ignoring options in the middle, and blasted wide.
And so the two sides were locked together at full-time, West Ham entering extra-time for the third tie in a row.
Wan-Bissaka came on, Nuno trying to add energy as starters on both sides began to struggle, Bowen looking like he was running on fumes as the captain tried to find a third and win his side the game. With those tired legs, rather than spaces opening up for chances, instead players struggled to make up ground and find a creative touch with heavy legs.
Brentford had the better of the opening 15, and thought they had a penalty when Wan-Bissaka slid in and Ouattara tumbled down. This time, the referee was in the right place and made the right call, waving it away. Replays confirmed his decision, the defender not making any contact as Ouattara caught his toe in the ground and stumbled.
Yet it was in stoppage time when they should have taken the lead for the first time. Thiago had slid the ball down the left channel for Schade, and he managed to pull it back into the box. Ouattara let it run through his legs to the substitute Donovan behind him, but the 19-year-old snatched at it, turning around to run at the loose ball and then hammering over when he had space to do much better.
Wilson replaced Fernandes in the break, and could have scored with his first involvement, receiving the ball from Castellanos in the box and getting it out of his feet, only to blast wide when well placed. Then controversy followed.
A Brentford break had Donovan running away from Summerville, and the Dutchman had a hand on his shoulder as he tried to challenge from behind and bundled him down. Stopping a counter that was running right at his defence, and challenging from behind, Summerville would not have been able to complain too much if he'd received a second yellow, but the referee was kind, seeing it as nothing more cynical than a foul.
Moments later, he was down in agony, holding the back of his leg. There were immediate fears of a problem in his hamstring, the injury that had kept him out for months of the last season, but it appeared to be his calf. He stumbled off, but with no subs remaining, he was forced back on, ambling about in midfield as Castellanos took the left wing slot to cover him.
He never got up to a full sprint again, regaining more movement as he went, but not any sort of comfort. Hopes will have to be that this was a sore one from a kick, rather than a muscle injury during this tense run-in.
Castellanos had a shot deflected over after nice play down the left wing, but it was the last minute that brought drama. First, Disasi stepped forward with the ball and tried a screamer, striking with great power, but his effort flew just over with Kelleher beaten. Then Brentford broke, only for the big Frenchman to throw himself at a shot on the edge of the box and block a big chance for the away side to win it.
With no other way to split the two teams, it was time for penalties.
Bowen went first, beating Kelleher to his left. Thiago matched him, rolling one into the corner as Areola dived the wrong way. Castellanos blasted home down the centre, and then Ouattara stepped forward.
To really appreciate what happens next, you have to go back to the break between extra-time and penalties. As the players huddled together, Areola ran off down the tunnel with a member of staff. Moments later, after a quick study session, he came back with a piece of paper full of notes.
And that will have told him that Ouattara likes to put his penalties down the middle. So when the winger chipped a Panenka, Areola stood still, and caught the ball with ease to give his side the edge in the shootout.
Wilson found the top corner, as did Soucek after him, but Lewis-Potter and Jensen both scored theirs. Who was to take the decisive kick?
You might not have guessed Mavropanos, but the big Greek defender has the nerve. Maybe to the surprise of some, he also had the technique, hitting the best of the bunch as he found that postage stamp in the top corner and fired his side through to the quarter finals.
A lot of hard work had gone in, and maybe an injury to current star man Summerville, but West Ham got the reward they deserved. So far, the FA Cup has been more than just a welcome distraction, but the spark that has lifted this side back to life. Now to hold their nerve with Wembley in their sights.
Manager's Rating
Nuno Espirito Santo: 9/10 The rotation worked, and showed that his whole squad is playing the way he wants, not just the starters. Made good changes, picked the right penalty takers, and his side deserved to win. (Whoever did the opposition penalty research: 10/10)
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Click to view all West Ham United vs Brentford match reports Click to view all match reports by Chris Wilkerson Like to share your thoughts on this article? Please visit the KUMB Forum to leave a comment.Player Ratings
Alphonse AreolaA perfectly fine performance with some improved work on crosses, but all the glory is that penalty save. Great nerve.
Kyle Walker-Peters
Neat as ever on the ball, works very hard, but lacked a bit of quality at both ends.
Ollie Scarles
Really struggled with Ouattara, and was too easily turned and beaten a few times.
Axel Disasi
Great block at the end and it?EUR(TM)s clear he?EUR(TM)s made a big difference to the defence, but he really should have scored the first-half chance.
Konstantinos Mavropanos
Must have been disappointed to lose his place, but got back to the form from before the Liverpool game. And what a perfect penalty, and a great moment for a player who hasn?EUR(TM)t had it easy at West Ham.
Mohamadou Kante
His best performance as a senior player, he showed he has the touch and ability to be more than a youth player, and maybe explain why the club were so comfortable allowing so many midfielders go in January. Proved he?EUR(TM)s not just a bully at youth levels.
Tomas Soucek
Busy, he probably needed the rest more than anyone, yet he?EUR(TM)s the player least likely to even hint at it. Great penalty, unlucky with a header or two, he?EUR(TM)s going to get a crucial header soon, surely.
Mateus Fernandes
Understated stuff again as the most defensively disciplined midfielder, he delivered some wonderful crosses that created chances, and on both feet. Nice interchanges with the forwards when the Hammers found some rhythm.
Adama Traore
It was surprise he went off. He woke the side up with a powerful, trademark run from his own half that ended with a poor shot, but then won the penalty thanks to his awareness of the play and his willingness to keep working that got him back in front of Kayode to be fouled.
Jarrod Bowen
He might not be at his smoothest, his flying best, but he?EUR(TM)s such a good player and never stops working, and got the rewards for the work today. Cool as you like on the pen, and great instincts to sniff out the opener. Offered a threat for 90 minutes, a little less as he pushed on for the final 30 in extra-time.
Pablo Felipe
As is typical with him, his defensive work and running off the ball were great, just lacked a finesse that would give him more goal threat. Great to see him back and getting crucial time in his legs.
Substitutes
Crysencio Summerville(Traore 46') Showed his skill and how dangerous he can be as he ran at Kayode and gave him a torrid time, but couldn?EUR(TM)t find a final ball or shot. Then gave away the penalty, which was probably him making a last-ditch attempt to put Kayode off after letting him get in front of him. Hopefully, he?EUR(TM)s got a knock, not a strain, but he never got running again and it?EUR(TM)s not a good sign that he didn?EUR(TM)t take a penalty.
Ezra Mayers
(Scarles 46') Didn?EUR(TM)t have a hold on that flank either, but passed well. Needs to work on his final ball when crossing.
Taty Castellanos
(Pablo 60') Brought his usual energy and more of a goal threat than Pablo.
Soungoutou Magassa
(Kante 76') Poor pass that led to the Brentford goal, although there?EUR(TM)s still a lot to do when losing it in their half.
Aaron Wan-Bissaka
(Walker-Peters 91') The side looked better with him on, he made confident and surging runs to relieve pressure, a smart move with his fresh legs against tiring opponents.
Callum Wilson
(Fernandes 106') Glimpses of why he was brought on as he looked to get a sniff of something in and around the Brentford box. Superb penalty.
Finn Herrick
Did not play.
Max Kilman
Did not play.
Freddie Potts
Did not play.
Match Facts
West Ham United: Alphonse Areola, Kyle Walker-Peters, Ollie Scarles, Axel Disasi, Konstantinos Mavropanos, Mohamadou Kante, Tomas Soucek, Mateus Fernandes, Adama Traore, Jarrod Bowen, Pablo Felipe.Goals: Jarrod Bowen 19 Jarrod Bowen 34 .
Booked: None booked. .
Sent Off: None sent off. .
Brentford: Kelleher, Kayode, Collins, Ajer (van den Berg 97), Lewis-Potter, Henderson, Damsgaard (Donovan 87), Yarmolyuk (Jensen 63), Schade (Furo 106), Ouattara, Thiago.
Subs not used: Valdimarsson, Stephenson, Pinnock, Bentt, Shield.
Goals: Thiago (28, pen 81).
Booked: .
Sent off: None.
Referee: Andy Madley.
Attendance: 48,570.
Man of the Match: Jarrod Bowen.