Ahead of the first Premier League (PL) game since the passing of Pelé, West Ham United will join the world in paying tribute to the Brazilian legend. Although the three-time World Cup winner only shone briefly on English shores, his 1970 World Cup battle with the Hammers’ own icon, Bobby Moore, has gone down in history and their post-match embrace is one of football’s enduring images.
West Ham played his Santos side in a friendly three months afterwards in the United States, drawing 2-2, so hold closer links with Pelé than other clubs, even though all will rightly take the opportunity to recognise his contribution to the game this weekend, which starts with Hammers manager David Moyes under pressure following their 3-1 Boxing Day defeat to Arsenal.
That result left them just one point above the Premier League (PL) relegation zone and four straight league defeats have angered fans who will demand a turnaround in results as the Hammers prepare for a series of games against sides they would expect to beat on the basis of their recent top-half league finishes and European exploits.
Moyes’ side can take nothing for granted against Brentford after losing this corresponding fixture 2-1 last season, and after conceding within ten minutes in two of their last four home league games, another poor start could spell danger. Not only must West Ham guard against a sluggish opening, but they must finish better too, with Moyes criticising their second-half defending against Arsenal after they conceded three goals.
Brentford were also disappointed with their Boxing Day for similar reasons as they also let a lead slip, squandering a 2-0 advantage to draw 2-2 against Tottenham, although manager Thomas Frank nevertheless described the result as “impressive”. Frank’s side continue to punch above their weight in the PL though, as their four-match unbeaten run (W1, D3) saw them end Boxing Day in an impressive tenth place.
The Bees should be buzzing about heading to West Ham on the back of last term’s win here and their 2-1 away victory over Manchester City prior to the World Cup break, an extraordinary way to claim their first league away win of the season (D4, L3). That was the latest of many “magic moments” that Frank wants to continue creating after recently extending his contract with the London club until 2027.
Players to watch: Saïd Benrahma has netted West Ham’s last three PL goals, including two penalties and two match openers prior to the 30-minute mark. Also in good form at the moment is Brentford’s Ivan Toney, whose strike against Tottenham saw him match Jamie Vardy’s achievement of 30 goal contributions (G23, A7) in his first 50 PL appearances.
Hot stat: No team has scored fewer first-half goals in the PL this term than West Ham (five).
