Christian Eriksen pulls the strings as Brentford see off weary West Ham

The Christian Eriksen-inspired state of grace continues to guide Brentford to safe, Premier League shores of contentment.

A maiden season in the top tier was almost guaranteed in the seismic, generation-spanning, memorable 4-1 win at Chelsea last weekend. And another London derby triumph, here at the Community Stadium against West Ham, a team tilting at the Europa League, was fully deserved. Thomas Frank’s side were brighter and sassier going forward, with Eriksen and Rico Henry the pick of Brentford’s bunch. Second-half goals from strike partners Bryan Mbeumo and Ivan Toney, the currency.

Tired West Ham’s top-four hopes are appearing increasingly remote – and on this evidence, hustled and harried throughout, the impression was that their Europa League adventures are a main concern. David Moyes also has to contend with an injury to Kurt Zouma, ahead of their quarter-final second leg at Lyon on Thursday.

Frank made two changes to the vibrant team which stormed Stamford Bridge. It was, in reality, probably asking too much for them to emulate similar drama, but they largely coasted here.

Centre-back Zanka was a late addition, coming in for Pontus Jansson, absent from from the match-day squad due to illness, while impact winger, Yoane Wissa, who scored Brentford’s fourth goal at Chelsea, replaced Mads Roerslev. Christian Nørgaard took over the hosts’ captaincy for the day from Jansson.

Manuel Lanzini was in the West Ham side, meanwhile, after recovering from the effects of a car crash. He was one of three changes to the team that earned a 1-1 draw at home to Lyon on Thursday in the Europa League quarter-final first leg, chosen ahead of former Brentford striker Saïd Benrahma, who dropped to the bench. Alphonse Areola, West