LONDON, March 10 — West Ham moved into the FA Cup quarter-finals with a 5-3 penalty shoot-out win against Brentford, who paid the price for Dango Ouattara’s spot-kick blunder yesterday.
Nuno Espirito Santo’s side twice blew the lead as Jarrod Bowen’s double was cancelled out by an Igor Thiago brace to force extra-time in the 2-2 draw at the London Stadium.
But in the shoot-out, Brentford winger Ouattara attempted a chipped ‘Panenka’ penalty, but his woeful effort was straight at West Ham keeper Alphonse Areola.
It was an awful mistake by the Burkina Faso international and West Ham took full advantage.Bowen, Valentin Castellanos, Callum Wilson, Tomas Soucek and Konstantinos Mavropanos all converted their spot-kicks, ensuring West Ham will host Leeds in April for a place in the semi-finals.
The east London club’s first FA Cup quarter-final for 10 years is welcome respite in a difficult season.
They sit third bottom of the Premier League table, behind Nottingham Forest on goal difference, with nine games to save themselves from crashing into the Championship.
“The fans deserve this moment of joy for the way they support the team through bad times,” Nuno said.
“I’m very proud. The players are delighted because it was a tough one. Brentford is an amazing team but we contained them and created a lot of chances.
“The boys are enjoying playing in the London Stadium, the atmosphere is good.”
Seventh in the Premier League and in contention for European qualification, Brentford missed the chance to reach the quarter-finals for the first time since 1989.
