1. Saïd Benrahma is magic
Another memorable strike from Benrahma proved to be the decisive moment as West Ham United edged out Brentford at the Gtech Community Stadium.
The No22 returned to sting his former club, for whom he made 94 appearances between 2018 and 2020, striking past a helpless Bees goalkeeper Thomas Strakosha from 20-plus yards.
That moment came eleven minutes from time, with David Moyes turning to the Algerian winger to find the winner from the substitutes' bench, and Benrahma duly delivered.
His fourth goal in his last six competitive matches was enough to send the Hammers into the fourth round.
2. Into the fourth round... again!
Benrahma's strike would ultimately decide the tie and book the Hammers' place in the Emirates FA Cup fourth round draw, which took place on Sunday 8 January. Derby County came out of the hat, followed immediately by ball No10 - West Ham United.
It marks the sixth season in succession that the Irons have reached the fourth round.
David Moyes’ outfit will travel to Pride Park to face the Rams, currently fourth in EFL League One, over the weekend of 27-30 January, with a date and time to be confirmed in due course.
The last fixture against Derby was a 2-1 EFL Championship defeat in December 2011, and, as such, West Ham have won 27, drawn 25 and lost 24 of the previous meetings.
This will be just the second FA Cup meeting between the two clubs, with West Ham defeating Derby 5-2 in the semi-final at Stamford Bridge in March 1923 to secure a place in the first-ever final held at Wembley Stadium exactly 100 seasons ago!
3. That Declan Rice tackle
Quality, wasn’t it?
The skipper stood tall with an impeccably timed challenged on Yoane Wissa to set up the only goal in west London. The ball then fell at the feet of Benrahma who made no mistake from distance.
The tackle was crucial to the Hammers win. At one point, Brentford looked to be breaking forward, but in a flash the ball was in the hosts' net.
Yes, Benrahma will take the plaudits for the finish, but credit has to go to captain Rice for his trademark tackle to set the match-winning move in motion.
4. New boys make their FA Cup mark
Lucas Paquetá and Nayef Aguerd made their respective Emirates FA Cup bows at Brentford.
Following on from a 2-2 draw against Leeds United, where the Brazil midfielder netted his first goal in Claret and Blue from the penalty spot, and Aguerd made his first Premier League start, the duo impressed again in west London.
Paquetá was his tenacious best against the Bees, making twice as many tackles (six) as any other Hammer. The No11 also touched the ball 67 times, second only to Declan Rice,
Morocco centre-back Aguerd impressed as part of a solid back-three to secure his first clean-sheet in Claret and Blue. The No27 made a crucial block to deny speedy substitute Kevin Schade a late equaliser, as the Irons secured a first competitive victory over Brentford since a 4-1 win in April 1993.
