Thomas is Frank after Maupay’s vital strike
THOMAS FRANK felt Brentford deserved their first win in seven games.
A second-half goal by Neal Maupay proved to be the difference in a contest between the two strugglers.
Despite seeing an injury-time header by Bolton keeper Ben Alnwick going wide, the Bees boss was a happy man.
“One of the most difficult things in life is when you put a lot of work in and you don’t get a reward – that’s unbelievably tough,” he said.
“That can be for fans, the staff working night and day to prepare players and for that it’s pleasing for us.
“It was a solid performance, not a top one but a solid one – we know we have more. The players know that as well.
“But everybody knows that when you are in a bad spell you need that win to push on. The promising thing is that we defended well – especially that desire to keep the ball out of the net.”
Brentford and the impressive Said Benrahma had a lively start, although there was little end product with their corners.
Bolton started to get a foothold in the contest but like their hosts were let down by some poor finishing.
The Bees started the second half on the front foot with an effort by Maupay three minutes after the restart going wide.
But the French forward netted the only goal of the game just after the hour mark, firing home from close range after being supplied by Benrahma.
Bolton sub Craig Noone almost netted for the visitors in the 88th minute when his solo effort went wide.
And keeper Alnwick headed his cross wide deep into stoppage time and almost claimed a share of the spoils
Bolton boss Phil Parkinson praised the attitude of his players. He said: “It’s tough, it was a very tight game and there was very little in it. They started better than us in the first 15 minutes.
“We’ve been in so many tight games recently and our lads just never give in. They keep going right to the end and you’ve got to give us credit for that.” of minutes’ treatment before Deeney stepped up to drill the ball past Lukasz Fabianski from the spot.
His reaction was to run to a corner of the stadium filled only with home fans, execute a failed knee slide, pick himself up, punch the corner flag out of its fixing and then give the rival supporters some lip. He escaped a booking.
A few minutes later, Balbuena, booked for the challenge that gave away the penalty, succumbed to his injury and he was replaced.
West Ham were chasing a fifth win in a row, the first time for nearly 13 years, but the footballing gods were not in the mood to blow bubbles.
Near miss followed bad miss. Javier Hernandez had a shot pushed wide then, after the break, Michail Antonio headed a corner against a post. Arthur Masuaku’s long-range effort was saved by Ben Foster and Robert Snodgrass was denied by a last-ditch clearance.
Hernandez should have converted from close range but nearly missed the ball completely and then Foster made a brilliant save to deny Snodgrass and Antonio hit the bar from the loose ball.
There was still time for Foster to tip substitute Andy Carroll’s effort over the top, before Watford gave the scoreline a lop-sided look when Deulofeu and Pereyra played a neat interchange of passes for the Spaniard to score. Hammers boss Manuel Pellegrini said: “We were unlucky not to at least draw. We had three or four good chances.”