How much heart-strain would you like, sir? Happy Hammers might’ve slept well, but that would’ve come at the expense of a few years knocked off the heart.
Against all odds and despite West Ham having such a woeful season, Nuno has managed to kickstart this club’s engine, and in 2026, we’re pushing to see where the limits are.
Nuno’s side initially perfectly started the game, a lovely looped in ball by Mateus Fernandes, headed down by the returned Pablo and placed in by Jarrod Bowen gave us an early lead - though it would last minutes.
Brentford found their fortune and made sure to use it. A header by their Captain, Collins, rebounded off the chest of Igor Thiago, which subsequently found its way past Areola, bizarre! Excitement occurred when screams of handball surrounded the stadium, but a VAR inspection concluded it was the chest.
Disappointment? The Hammers didn’t fancy letting it simmer. Adama Traore drew a foul, which concluded in the Hammers getting a penalty, though Andy Madley had his best efforts to avoid doing so - it was only the phone call from Stockley Park which triggered the review. Jarrod Bowen did what he does best and converted the penalty into the bottom left corner, sending Kelleher the wrong way.
Brentford should’ve had another penalty despite having one later in the second half. Mateus Fernandes stamps on the Brentford player, causing him to lose the ball and go down. How on earth was that not given? Brentford’s ‘dismay’ is West Ham’s ‘wheyyy’ as that is what rang round the London Stadium when the VAR check was dismissed.
As mentioned, Brentford did eventually get their penalty they should’ve had, after the Brentford player made a meal of Summerville’s shunt, in fact, it was a three-course one, that’s for certain.
Albeit, Igor Thiago’s brace sent Brentford to extra time, where neither side posed significant threats throughout, bar the ludicrous effort from range that Axel Disasi nearly scored, which certainly would’ve been a contender for goal of the tournament.
To penalties it was, where a certain side hadn’t been doing their homework, will people learn that, since the embarrassment of Lookman at Fulham, it’s not recommended to take Panenka against West Ham! Brighton also attempted this and that too didn’t work. They can be absolutely beautiful if they are pulled off, but if they aren’t, it’s nothing but disappointment.
Overlooking Brentford’s miss, West Ham’s penalties were absolutely sublime, world beaters. They were persistently thumped angelically into the back of the net, served with power and strain on the heart.
Nevertheless, neither Nuno nor we could admirably watch the penalty shootout, but the result has sent us into raptures. The victory means we will face Leeds United in the quarter-finals, while elsewhere, Manchester City face Liverpool!
Many fans would’ve been laughing had you told them they’d be close to the gates of Wembley just a couple of months ago, but that laughing comment has hatched into a possible reality.
West Ham will face Leeds United at home in the FA Cup between the 2nd and 4th of April.
Comments
Wow... What a night!
Fantastic performance from a team playing with heart and determination.
Big worry is how much did that take out of us, only a few days to recover. Concern for the injury that Jimmy took :o(
Well, we didn't sit back last
Well, we didn't sit back last night. On the front foot from the start. There is a real snap and energy about our passing and moving. I actually think the squad is as good as it could be at this point. Most players get a look in now.
It's taken a while, but I think Nuno is getting the squad going at last. They are all playing for him. That alone is really refreshing to see.
He seems genuinely interested in pleasing us, the fans. Not heard that much love given to us paying customers for a long time. He is a good man and a good manager. I actually think we can stay up now. We are in front of other clubs who are struggling to produce. Forest and particularly Spurs are in dire straits and meltdown. It seems we are weeks ahead in our continuity rebuild and belief.
We can do Leeds too, in the QF, Pablo ran himself into the ground and the fans will love that. Traore is exciting and a sight to see in full flow. I think we can give City a run for there money on Sat COYI.....!!!
i cant wipe
the smile off my face it was a fantastic game its been such a long time since I've bitten my finger nails so much watching our team
It was a good game of football
One i think we edged on chances but did not put them away but the Brentford GK played well but onwards and upwards.....i hope Nuno watched how Leeds approached the game against Citeh the other week..yes they lost Just but it was far from comfortable for Citeh and i feel we have better players than Leeds.
I hope he watched the Forest
I hope he watched the Forest game!!!