WEST HAM came out on top after their FA Cup last 16 clash with Brentford went all the way to penalties.
The side will now move on to host Leeds United in the quarter-finals, thanks in part to a horrific decision from the spot for Dango Ouatarra.
Jarrod Bowen opened the scoring with an instinctive finish in front of goalCredit: Reuters
Igor Thiago joined Bowen in scoring two goals on the nightCredit: PA
But it was not a straight-forward evening for either team in East London.
The Hammers led on two occasions in the match thanks to two goals from talisman Jarrod Bowen.
Bowen reacted quickest in the box to fire the hosts into the lead after Soucek nodded a corner delivery back across goal.
Keith Andrews’ men hit back with a bizarre goal from their own main man Igor Thiago, who accidentally deflected an effort from his own team-mate past Alphonse Areola.
Both goalscorers would then go back and forth again from their respective penalty spots after consecutive interventions from VAR.
Neither side could then be separated in the 90, as the tie descended into an increasingly nervy affair.
The first period of extra-time produced little of note, with both sides clearly feeling the toll of 105 minutes of football.
And it was a similar case in the second stretch, barring a rocket from Hammers defender Axel Disasi which nearly kissed the crossbar as it flew over in the final moments of the match.
West Ham were lethal from the spot on their way to their victoryCredit: Getty
West Ham profited from the spot mostly thanks to Dango Outarra, whose attempt at a panenka backfired spectacularly.
The attacker chipped his effort, the second of the set, straight into the unimpressed hands of Areola.
Former Arsenal man Konstatinos Mavropanos was given the honour of the decisive penalty, smashing his effort into the top right corner.
Eze Chidiebere Paul
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