West Ham have now equalled their worst run of league form since April 2017 after suffering a fifth straight Premier League defeat against Brentford.
Despite dominating the first half, the Hammers found themselves 2-0 down at the break following goals from Ivan Toney and Josh Dasilva, which proved to be enough to see West Ham drop down to 17th in the table and in danger of starting 2023 in the relegation zone.
Here is how football.london’s West Ham United writer Jonty Colman rated the Hammers’ players against the Bees.
READ MORE: David Moyes makes transfer admission over Brentford’s Ivan Toney ahead of West Ham fixture
Lukasz Fabianski
Despite a poor performance against former side Arsenal, goalkeeper Lukasz Fabianski kept his place in goal ahead of Alphonse Areola. Made a good save to deny a Christian Norgaard volley in the build-up to opening goal, but could not do anything about Toney's follow-up from close range. Made a good save in the second half to deny Saman Ghoddos adding a third. 6
Craig Dawson (Star man)
A move to a 3-4-2-1 saw Craig Dawson start on the right side of the back three, having been pretty solid for large parts of the Arsenal defeat. Was excellent in the first half despite West Ham's defensive lapses, winning big challenges and looking good in the air, almost heading in at a Jarrod Bowen corner. Came close to scoring again late on, heading one corner on target that forced David Raya into a top stop. 7
Angelo Ogbonna
Back in the starting line-up for the first time since November 2021 was Angelo Ogbonna, who has not started a league game since rupturing his anterior cruciate ligament against Liverpool. Positioned himself well and found himself as a rare creator, teeing up Italian Emerson in the box for one of the Hammers' good first half chances. The structure of the defence looked all over the place as Dasilva ran in on goal to score the second, when he should not have been able to. 6
Aaron Cresswell
Aaron Cresswell kept his place in the side from Arsenal but found himself moved to the left side of the back three, a role he has featured in at times on the odd occasion where the Hammers have mixed it up at the back. Was one of two men caught out at the end of a long Brentford throw where Toney pounced in on the rebound. The second goal was all on Cresswell really, despite having quite a long head start, Dasilva ran onto Toney's pass, left Cresswell in his wake and slotted coolly. Did not do a whole lot wrong in the second half, playing half of it as traditional left-back, but his crossing was poor on several occasions. 4
Vladimir Coufal
Vladimir Coufal kept his place in the side following a recall at Arsenal but found himself moved to right wing-back, with the Hammers hoping to make the most of his attacking credentials. His failure to win the aerial challenge at a first half long throw eventually led to Brentford's opening goal. Got into good positions but failed to add any quality with his crossing, barring one scuffed left-footer that just about found Gianluca Scamacca. Plenty of right-backs at the club, but none are taking their chances at present. 4
Declan Rice
For a long time, supporters have been crying out to see Declan Rice and Lucas Paqueta start as a midfield duo and they got exactly that for the first time at the start of a league game. At first, his link-up play with Paqueta looked promising and he almost opened the scoring early on when crashing a shot from outside of the penalty area off the outside of the post. Was busy and had plenty of movement and passing, but all his moving of the ball tended to just be sprayed passes out to full-backs. His movement of the ball, while tidy, lacked imagination at times. 6
Lucas Paqueta
Paqueta's partnership with Rice meant he was playing in a deeper role than he has been used to at West Ham, but one he frequents for Brazil and also did so for former club Olympique Lyonnais. Showed vibrancy and a new lease of life after a series of multiple touches and quick passes, but again, lacked the killer pass. Barring a close shot at the end of half-time, he was quite wasteful in the second half with the ball, playing one bad back-pass that led to Coufal being forced into a foul where he was later booked. Taken off towards the end. 5
Emerson
The three changes from Moyes from the loss at Arsenal saw the inclusion of all three Italians into the starting line-up, including Emerson at left wing-back. Like Cresswell, found himself caught out by Toney for the opening goal, but attacked well. Had one of the best chances in the first half, denied well by David Raya. Less of an effect after the break and was taken off midway through the second half to go an extra striker on the pitch. 6
Jarrod Bowen
Jarrod Bowen did well to win a penalty against Arsenal on Boxing Day and hoped to go one further and score against Brentford. Playing as one of two narrow wingers off Gianluca Scamacca up front, he looked lively early on, creating chances and constantly running at Brentford's back line. Thought he won a penalty early in the second half, but it was later downgraded to a free-kick. An outlet, but one deprived of service. 6
Said Benrahma
Former Brentford winger Said Benrahma recently became the Hammers' top scorer in the league this season, with three. Looked bright early on as West Ham started the game excellently with a flurry of chances, although he never looked like scoring himself. Pressed well and constantly on the ball, but his effect on the game really declined after Brentford got their second. 6
Gianluca Scamacca
After missing the Boxing Day defeat at Arsenal, Italian striker Scamacca was back in the starting XI, replacing Michail Antonio, who has recently been struggling with a virus. When West Ham dominated early on, Scamacca showed some good touches and good link up play when given the ball but hardly looked like scoring, the closest in the first half coming when a tame header feebly went to Fabianski. Better when Antonio was bought on, firing one long shot on target and another just wide. Did not have the service, but looked okay when he did get the ball. 5
Substitutes
Michail Antonio
Having recently suffered a virus, Antonio was bought on to play alongside Scamacca up front for the final 25 minutes of the game on his 250th appearance for the club. Gave Brentford more to think about with an extra man up top. Ran well and started some good moves, but an air shot from 20 yards best summed up West Ham's performance on the whole. 5
Tomas Soucek
Bought on with minutes to go in the hope of adding physicality in the side. Did not really work. N/A
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