Igor Thiago Brentford – Foto: X.com/ Brentford
Brentford is beating West Ham 1-0 at halftime in the eighth round of the Premier League, played on Monday, October 20, 2025, at London Stadium in London. The validated goal was scored by Brazilian striker Igor Thiago at the 43rd minute, assisted by Kevin Schade. Another Thiago goal in stoppage time was disallowed for offside after a VAR review. The match, still ongoing, is refereed by Andy Madley and broadcast on Disney+ and ESPN.
West Ham, managed by Nuno Espírito Santo, aims to turn the score around in the second half, while Brentford, coached by Keith Andrews, holds the lead. The game has been marked by intensity and clear goal-scoring chances.
- Igor Thiago had three shots in the first half, one hitting the post.
- West Ham held 45% possession, compared to Brentford’s 55%.
- Alphonse Areola made two key saves, preventing a larger scoreline.
- Kevin Schade won four aerial duels, crucial in attack.
One to the good at the break 💪 pic.twitter.com/8Xtm8bV5Di
— Brentford FC (@BrentfordFC) October 20, 2025
Details of the validated goal
At the 43rd minute, Kevin Schade received a long ball from Yehor Yarmolyuk and advanced down the right. After beating Emerson Palmieri, he passed to Igor Thiago, who shot low. The ball deflected off Alphonse Areola but went into the bottom left corner. The goal was upheld after a quick VAR check, securing Brentford’s lead.
The move highlighted Brentford’s efficiency in counter-attacks, with Schade exploiting gaps in West Ham’s defense. Thiago, the team’s top scorer, notched his fourth Premier League goal.
Goal disallowed in stoppage time
In the 45+9th minute, Igor Thiago scored again after a Jordan Henderson free-kick. He headed freely past Max Kilman, but VAR spotted an offside on Schade in the build-up. The disallowance sparked protests from Brentford players, but Andy Madley upheld the call.
The review took nearly two minutes, with the referee checking the monitor. The London Stadium crowd, already urging a West Ham comeback, cheered the decision.
Match context at halftime
West Ham, with 4 points, sits 19th and struggles defensively, conceding 12 goals this season. Brentford, with 7 points, is 16th and relies on Thiago and Schade’s speed to maintain the lead.
The game saw tension, with West Ham’s Tomas Soucek needing medical attention after a clash at the 22nd minute. Brentford dominated shots, with 13 against West Ham’s 5.
Tactical strategies in play
Brentford uses a 4-3-3, with Thiago central and Schade on the wing, focusing on quick transitions. West Ham’s 4-2-3-1 relies on Jarrod Bowen and Crysencio Summerville for creativity, but their defense struggled with aerial balls.
Nuno Espírito Santo signaled adjustments at halftime, possibly bringing in Mohammed Kudus to bolster the attack. Keith Andrews is likely to stick with counter-attacking tactics.
First-half numbers and highlights
Igor Thiago leads ratings with an 8.1, followed by Schade at 7.8. For West Ham, Summerville has a 7.2, with one potential assist blocked. Areola, despite conceding, prevented a bigger deficit with key saves.
- Brentford had 6 shots on target, West Ham 2.
- Thiago won 60% of his duels, proving pivotal.
- West Ham committed 7 fouls, Brentford 4.
Second-half expectations
With a tight scoreline, West Ham will push for an equalizer, while Brentford aims to hold the lead. The 62,000-strong London Stadium crowd keeps the energy high for a potential comeback. The match remains open for more goals.
