West Ham fan protest: Thousands stay at home as pressure builds on David Sullivan and Karren Brady

London Stadium is littered with empty seats as the next phase of planned protests prove a success

West Ham fans made their voices heard in absentia on Monday night as thousands stayed away from the London Stadium in protest, as the club fell to another home defeat.

As the players on the pitch gave new manager Nuno Espirito Santo another alarming look at the job at hand - with Brentford comfortably winning 2-0 - the stands were littered with empty seats as part of a latest phase of protests organised by supporters' group Hammers United, who asked fans to stay at home for the Monday night derby.

An official attendance for the game, which was played on a Monday evening and broadcast live on Sky Sports, has not been confirmed.

A fan holds up a protest banner

Adam Davy/PA Wire

Around 3,000 fans protested ahead of the loss to Crystal Palace last month, and another has been planned next month when Burnley visit east London. Hammers United want chairman David Sullivan and vice-chair Karren Brady to leave the club, claiming broken promises, transfer market failings and poor matchday experiences, among other issues.

Thousands of empty seats were visible inside the 62,000-seater stadium at kick-off, and those numbers only increased as Igor Thiago scored minutes before half-time.

It was a deeply concerning display from West Ham, who mustered just one shot on target and conceded the majority of possession to their visitors. It was pin-drop silence from everywhere but the away end throughout.

The few supporters who did turn up could have been forgiven for thinking the Hammers defence also opted to stay at home, as Brentford racked up 22 shots, of which seven were on target, and five big chances.

Scenes at full-time of another home defeat

Steven Paston/PA Wire

By the time Mathias Jensen sealed a 2-0 win for the Bees in the 95th minute, the London Stadium home stands were close to empty.

Speaking after his first home game, Nuno told BBC Sport: "It's a challenge for all of us. It's up to us to change the momentum and bring our fans back to support us. In four days' time we need a big improvement."

He added to reporters: "I think we are all concerned. You can see our own fans are concerned. Concern becomes anxiety, becomes silence. That anxiety passes to the players. We have a problem.

"It's understandable. It's up to us to change. The fans need to see something that pleases them and they can support us and give us energy ... We are the people who have to pull the fans back together."