NUNO ESPIRITO ADMITS WESTHAM 'PROBLEM'

West Ham manager Nuno Espirito Santo admitted, "We have a problem," after West Ham's lackluster 2-0 home loss to Brentford on Monday.
A night that started with a boycott by a section of Hammers fans ended with those that remained in the London Stadium booing the home side off the field as Igor Thiago and Mathias Jensen's goals secured capital Brentford a first away win of the season, with the Bees having merited to have triumphed in this Premier League match by a more comprehensive scoreline.

Nuno's maiden home game in charge also coincided with a stay-away protest by supporters' groups, who are opposed to the club's board.

Defeat meant the Hammers lost their opening four home matches of a campaign for the first time in their history, with this loss coming on the same day as former boss Graham Potter, sacked by the club last month, was unveiled as Sweden's new manager.

"Not good enough. Poor," Nuno said following a defeat that left West Ham 19th in the Premier League, with just basement side Wolves below them in the table. "Fairly, Brentford won the game, they were the better team.

"I think we are all worried. You can see our own fans are worried. Concern becomes anxiety, becomes silence. We have a problem."

The Portuguese boss, who was previously in charge of Premier League Nottingham Forest, added: "It's normal. It's our job to change. The fans need to see something that makes them happy and they can push us and give us energy."

The only surprise on Monday was that it took Brentford 43 minutes to score.

Maximilian Kilman's wretched attempt to clear a simple ball over the top allowed Kevin Schade to get in behind and knock the ball back to Thiago.

Hammers keeper Alphonse Areola got a hand to his shot but the ball deflected away and into the far post.

Thiago, out for most of last season through injury, netted again before halftime, but was denied by VAR for offside.

Thiago and Schade also hit the woodwork before Brentford finally sealed the game in injury time when Keane Lewis-Potter pulled the ball back for fellow substitute Jensen to smash into the net's roof.