Tomas Soucek cancelled out an early opener from Bryan Mbeumo as West Ham United fought back to hold Brentford to a 1-1 draw in their Premier League London derby at the Gtech Community Stadium.
History was made within just 38 seconds of kickoff in front of the 17,000-strong crowd, as one-minute Brentford incredibly replicated their lightning-quick attacking feats from their losses to Tottenham Hotspur and Manchester City.
After the Hammers failed to properly deal with a Kevin Schade cross, Fabio Carvalho kept the ball alive and headed for Bryan Mbeumo to score a wonderful volley, as the Bees became the first team to ever score in the first minute in three straight Premier League fixtures.
Mbeumo's exquisite volley also saw him overtake Ivan Toney and set a new record number of Premier League goal contributions for Brentford (48), but even though Thomas Frank's men looked threatening every time they got the ball to their wide men, Alphonse Areola was not seriously troubled after.
The hosts often lost possession with poorly executed balls over the top and soon came under the cosh from West Ham, but Julen Lopetegui still had no real danger man in attack as several chances flew over the bar.
However, with a couple of changes in playing personnel, Lopetegui's men came out a different beast in the second half and got their reward for their unrelenting pressure when Tomas Soucek pounced on a blocked Michail Antonio effort.
Soucek's leveller preceded a period of relentless pressure from Brentford, who also had a few penalty appeals waved away, but Lopetegui's crop held firm to steal a morale-boosting point, one that leaves the hosts 12th and the Irons 14th in the fledgling standings.
More to follow.
BRENTFORD VS. WEST HAM HIGHLIGHTS
Bryan Mbeumo goal vs. West Ham United (1st min, Brentford 1-0 West Ham)
© Imago
A penny for the thoughts of Lopetegui as Brentford find the back of the net within one minute of kickoff for the third game running! The Bees surge down the right and Kevin Schade delivers a dangerous ball, which Alphonse Areola punches away.
However, West Ham do not deal with the danger properly, and Fabio Carvalho heads the ball back into the mixer for Mbeumo, whose exquisite volley finds the top corner.
There is a brief VAR check for offside, but the goal stands, and Brentford become the first team in Premier League history to score in the first minute three games in a row - this one was timed at 38 seconds.
Tomas Soucek goal vs. Brentford (54th min, Brentford 1-1 West Ham)
Get in, Tomáš! 🙌 pic.twitter.com/pHsMIFxdij
— West Ham United (@WestHam) September 28, 2024
Does anybody remember Jack Wilshere's astonishing tiki-taka goal for Arsenal against Norwich City about a decade ago? This one gives it a fairly good run for its money!
Lucas Paqueta does brilliantly on the left and drives infield before laying off Jarrod Bowen, who plays a couple of one-twos with Soucek inside a crowded Brentford box.
Eventually, the ball falls to Michail Antonio, whose shot is blocked, but Soucek is there to hook the ball into the far corner from close range. Fully deserved from West Ham, who have been well on top in the second half.
MAN OF THE MATCH - TOMAS SOUCEK
The driving force of the West Ham unit, Soucek was heavily involved in the intricate passing sequence that led to his equaliser in the second half, but his all-around display was something to behold too.
Indeed, the Czech midfielder made four key passes, two tackles and two interceptions in an all-action performance, and one that certainly merited the point it got.
BRENTFORD VS. WEST HAM MATCH STATS
Possession: Brentford 57%-43% West Ham
Shots: Brentford 8-17 West Ham
Shots on target: Brentford 3-2 West Ham
Corners: Brentford 7-6 West Ham
Fouls: Brentford 2-11 West Ham
BEST STATS
3 - Brentford have become the first team in Premier League history to score in the opening minute in three consecutive games. Lightning. #BREWHU
— OptaJoe (@OptaJoe) September 28, 2024
Michail Antonio is the first ever player to be directly involved in 100 Premier League goals for West Ham,
— Squawka (@Squawka) September 28, 2024
◉ 67 goals
◉ 33 assists
The Hammers' all-time top goalscorer in the PL breaks another record. 👏 pic.twitter.com/shDEUOagVF
WHAT NEXT?
Today's London derby was the first of two successive Saturday 3pm home kickoffs for Brentford, who return to the Gtech Community Stadium to take on Wolverhampton Wanderers next weekend.
Meanwhile, West Ham return to the London Stadium on October 5 for a home showdown with Ipswich Town.
Ben Knapton
