Brentford secured a vital away win at the London Stadium as Thiago’s first-half strike proved decisive in a 2–0 victory over a dismal West Ham side, who were booed off the pitch after another lifeless display under Nuno Espírito Santo.

The Bees dominated from start to finish, creating chance after chance and showing far more hunger, structure, and attacking quality than their London rivals. West Ham, meanwhile, were shapeless, uninspired, and left their frustrated supporters heading for the exits well before full-time.

Brentford’s dominance paid off shortly before half-time. With 43 minutes gone, Bryan Mbeumo slipped in Kevin Schade down the right, whose low cross found Thiago unmarked at the far post. The striker’s finish squirmed under Alphonse Areola and over the line despite the goalkeeper’s desperate attempt to claw it away.

It was no more than Thomas Frank’s men deserved after an opening period in which they carved open West Ham almost at will. Mbeumo and Schade had already forced smart saves, while Dango Ouattara caused constant problems on the left flank.

The visitors thought they had doubled their advantage deep into stoppage time when Thiago tapped home again after Areola’s initial save, but a lengthy VAR check ruled the goal out for offside — to West Ham’s relief. Even so, the boos that met the half-time whistle told the story of a furious home crowd who had seen their side fail to register a single shot on target.

Nuno Espírito Santo made three substitutions at the break, introducing Diouf, Mavropanos, and Wan-Bissaka in an attempt to tighten things up. But Brentford continued to control proceedings, and only wasteful finishing kept the scoreline respectable.

Just after the hour mark, Schade struck the crossbar after another flowing move, before Thiago was denied by Areola moments later — though the flag went up once more. The Bees’ Brazilian forward was relentless throughout, bullying the West Ham backline and pressing with intent.

Jarrod Bowen offered a rare moment of promise for the hosts midway through the second half, but he blazed over from close range to sum up a miserable night for the Hammers. With the fans audibly turning on their team and the atmosphere growing increasingly toxic, Brentford calmly saw out the final stages with little resistance.

The full-time whistle was greeted by a chorus of boos as Brentford’s players celebrated in front of their travelling support. West Ham, meanwhile, trudged off to jeers, having produced one of their worst performances of the season.

The result lifts Brentford clear of the drop zone and gives them back-to-back wins for the first time this season. For West Ham, the pressure is now firmly on Nuno Espírito Santo, whose side have taken just one point from their last four league games.

With boos echoing around the London Stadium and confidence at rock bottom, Nuno faces a crucial week to steady the ship before next weekend’s fixture — or risk becoming the next managerial casualty of the Premier League season yet again.