West Ham United finally overcame one of their most troublesome opponents, edging past Brentford after a dramatic night in the FA Cup. Following 120 minutes of relentless action that ended in a 2–2 draw, the tie was ultimately decided in a tense penalty shootout at the London Stadium.

The hero of the night was goalkeeper Alphonse Areola. The French shot-stopper produced the decisive moment in the shootout, comfortably denying Dango Ouattara, whose ill-judged Panenka-style attempt proved far too easy to read. That save swung the momentum firmly in favour of the hosts.

Earlier in the match, Jarrod Bowen had been the driving force for West Ham United, scoring twice during regular time to put the Hammers in front on both occasions. However, Brentford refused to go away. Striker Igor Thiago struck twice to pull the visitors level each time, ensuring the tie went the full distance.

When the contest reached penalties, the composure of the West Ham United players proved decisive. The London side converted all five of their spot-kicks with confidence, while defender Konstantinos Mavropanos stepped up to slot home the winning penalty and send the home fans into celebration.

2025-26, England - FA Cup

West Ham - Brentford 2:2 (2:1), shoot-out 5:3
Goals: Bowen, 19 (1:0); Thiago I., 28 (1:1); Bowen, 34 (penalty) (2:1); Thiago I., 81 (penalty) (2:2)

West Ham: Areola; Walker-Peters (Wan-Bissaka, 91); Disasi; Mavropanos; Scarles (Mayers E., 46); Kanté M. (Magassa, 76); Soucek; Traoré Ad. (Summerville, 46); Fernandes M. (Wilson C., 106); Pablo (Castellanos, 60); Bowen
Substitution: Mayers E. (from 46); Summerville (from 46); Castellanos (from 60); Magassa (from 76); Wan-Bissaka (from 91); Wilson C. (from 106)
Bench: Kilman; Potts F.
Yellow Cards: Summerville 80; Soucek 89

Brentford: Kelleher; Ajer (van den Berg S., 97); Collins N.; Kayode M.; Henderson; Yarmoliuk (Jensen Ma., 63); Damsgaard M. (Donovan, 87); Schade (Furo, 106); Thiago I.; Ouattara Da.; Lewis-Potter
Substitution: Jensen Ma. (from 63); Donovan (from 87); van den Berg S. (from 97); Furo (from 106)
Bench: Valdimarsson H.R,; Pinnock