Cameroon international Bryan Mbeumo found himself in a familiar position on Saturday, scoring within the first 37 seconds for Brentford in their 1-1 draw against West Ham at the Gtech Community Stadium. Despite his early goal, the match extended the Bees’ winless run to three games, leaving Mbeumo and his team searching for answers.
The quick-fire goal, which came almost immediately from kick-off, marked the third time in as many games that Brentford managed to find the back of the net in the opening moments. Mbeumo’s strike sent waves of optimism through the home crowd, raising hopes that Thomas Frank’s side could regain their winning momentum. However, as has been the case in recent matches, the early lead was not enough.
West Ham equalized in the 54th minute through Tomas Soucek, who capitalized on a blocked shot by Michail Antonio to score from close range. Brentford’s inability to hold onto their advantage has become a recurring issue, and Mbeumo admitted as much in his post-match reflections.
“A frustrating game at the end,” Mbeumo said to beeplay after the match. “I think we were on top in the first half, but when the second half started they came back soon… we pushed at the end but didn’t find a way.”
Despite dominating large parts of the first half, Brentford struggled to maintain control as the game wore on. The Bees pressed for a late winner, but their efforts fell short. Mbeumo highlighted the team’s challenge in controlling games from start to finish, noting that managing a lead and maintaining intensity throughout 90 minutes is something they need to improve.
“It’s hard to control the game from the start to the end; you need to suffer during games. I think we need to work on some bits when we get to this phase,” the 25-year-old winger explained.
Despite the disappointment, Mbeumo’s individual form remains a bright spot for Brentford. With five goals in his first six appearances this season, he has been a key figure for the West London club. The forward attributes his fine form to hard work on the training ground, particularly focusing on his finishing.
“We work a lot in training to try and score every time on set-pieces,” Mbeumo said. “I do a lot of finishing during training, especially if I miss something, I always try to reproduce it and I think this is something you can always work on.”
Mbeumo’s dedication and tireless efforts are clearly paying off, but Brentford will need to address their recent struggles if they hope to climb the Premier League table. With matches coming thick and fast, Thomas Frank’s side must find a way to convert early dominance into sustained control over the course of the game.
As the Bees continue to search for their first win in three matches, Mbeumo’s leadership and work ethic will be crucial in helping the team bounce back. For now, Brentford remains in mid-table, with hopes of turning their fortunes around in the coming fixtures.
The Cameroonian winger’s frustration is a reflection of the team’s current mood, but with the right adjustments, Brentford can put their winless streak behind them and rediscover the form that has made them one of the most exciting teams to watch in recent seasons.
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