Boss David Moyes was delighted to see his West Ham United side bring a six-game winless run to an end with a deserved 4-2 triumph over Brentford under the lights at London Stadium.
Top scorer Jarrod Bowen was the hero with the first hat-trick of his career, the 27-year-old notching a quick-fire double inside seven minutes to set the hosts on their way before heading in a third after half-time.
Neal Maupay had pulled one back for the visiting Bees by that point, but full-back Emerson smashed in a 25-yard thunderbolt to make it 4-1 before away substitute Yoane Wissa scored a late consolation.
A first Premier League triumph over Brentford - at the sixth attempt - lifts the Hammers up to seventh in the standings, and behind Brighton & Hove Albion above them on only goal difference.
And among a feast of impressive goals, the bounce back to winning ways and Lucas Paquetá’s eye-catching return, Moyes had plenty of positives to discuss post-match while also suggesting that there is still plenty of room for improvement…
I thought we looked a lot more at it tonight.
I think we’ve played decent football at times over the last few weeks, but we haven’t created enough or taken enough chances. Tonight we were much better.
Jarrod obviously stole the show with his goals, but Lucas [Paquetá] had opportunities, Tomáš [Souček] missed some good chances, and there were others.
It wasn’t perfect, but it was a huge improvement, and scoring four goals at home is always impressive and a nice thing to see happen.
I thought we were much better in the first half than we were towards the end of the game.
It was a really fast start, and that’s what we want. I thought our pressing was very good from the off, and to go 2-0 up so quickly was brilliant.
I certainly didn’t enjoy the last 15 or 20 minutes, though. Not because they came back into the game, because you might expect that, but we didn’t take them by the throat and push on for more.
I’m thrilled for Jarrod [Bowen].
He’s not had that many chances in the last few games, and he’s maybe not been at his best. He had an ankle injury last month and I think that hindered him, but he’s beginning to find his way again now.
He’s always going to love it when Lucas [Paquetá] and Mo [Kudus] are playing on either side of him, because he’s always going to get opportunities to score.
I think anyone who’s watched a lot of us this season will have been excited to see Paquetá back tonight, and linking up with Emerson. Their understanding is so good, and I think Paquetá’s return made a big difference to the team.
Jarrod’s goals - and Emerson’s - were brilliant tonight, and he finished them well. There were lots of good things overall tonight, but Jarrod’s performance was brilliant and I’m delighted for him.
We will need to be better to come away with a result from Everton on Saturday.
We will have to manage the game better and be more organised defensively. I’m disappointed we lost two goals tonight, particularly the second one, and there are areas we need to improve.
Overall though, it’s a really good result. Brentford have become a bit of a bogey team for us over the last couple of years, so it’s good to end that run and get back to winning ways.
