Brentford’s Neal Maupay spoke of his pride after scoring his first goal since his return to the club in the summer.

The Frenchman found the net during the early stages of his side’s 3-2 victory over West Ham United. Frank Onyeka’s half-volley looked to be heading off target, before Maupay intervened and headed beyond Alphonse Areola from close range. It was a goal he celebrated by belly-sliding in front of the home supporters.

“I didn’t know what to do,” said Maupay, who last scored for the Bees against Preston North End in May 2019.

“It’s been a long time since I scored a goal, so I didn’t know how to act! It was good to get back on the scoresheet – my first goal back here and my family was in the stand.

“It means a lot. I love the fans, I love my team-mates and I love the club – I love everyone here.

“Last season I didn’t play much, I had a very tough time, so I’m happy to be back here in a good environment. I enjoy being here. The people here at this club are amazing, but I knew that already.

“To be part of Brentford’s history in the Premier League is what it’s about for me.”

West Ham responded well to falling behind, scoring twice in seven minutes in the first half, but Brentford rallied after the break and ended the match on top thanks to Konstantinos Mavropanos’ own goal and Nathan Collins’ towering header.

And Maupay praised the group’s resilience after their third-straight Premier League victory.

“I thought we weren’t quite on it during the first half,” he said.

“We started well and scored the first goal, but they scored two quick goals. Especially their first goal, there was a lack of communication.

“But what I love about this group is the calmness. We knew that if we kept doing the right things and kept working hard, it would come.

“We had chances at the end of the first half, which is what [Thomas Frank] said at half-time: ‘Score the next goal and we’ll go from there.’”