Jarrod Bowen achieved something Mark Noble, Matthew Upson, Kevin Nolan, Declan Rice and Kurt Zouma were all unable to achieve in their West Ham United careers – captaining the Hammers to a Premier League victory at Manchester United.
It was 18 years and 16 games since Carlos Tevez scored the Irons’ winner at Old Trafford to complete the Great Escape in May 2007, and Bowen was proud and happy to have ended that unwanted run of results.
The England international forward played a central role in the win, too, scoring the all-important second goal from the outstanding Aaron Wan-Bissaka’s low cross after Tomáš Souček had flicked Mohammed Kudus’s cross into the net to give West Ham a first-half lead.
Bowen’s goal was his first at Old Trafford and yet another vital strike for the Hammers, helping his team climb above the Red Devils and Tottenham Hotspur in the table and reward the Claret and Blue Army for their loyal support throughout an at times frustrating 2024/25 season.
Finally, Bowen paid tribute to his friends and fellow 2023 UEFA Europa Conference League winners Aaron Cresswell and Vladimír Coufal, who performed admirably at the end of a week when they learned they will be leaving the Club when their contracts expire in June…
Regardless of where we are at, that was a big win, and you could tell from the celebrations in the stand and on the pitch?
“It’s fantastic and a real big moment as we've had games this season, recently as well, where we've been leading the game [and not won], and it was so important that we got this over the line.
“We knew how important it was going to be, and we've spoken about wanting to finish the season on a high. You never want ‘what ifs’, you never want ‘regrets’ at the end of the season, in the time off that we get, so I think it's so important to win today, win next week [at home to Nottingham Forest], and win the following week [at Ipswich Town].
“That's been our mindset, that's been our ambition and we've done that today.”
That first goal, Tomáš’s goal, we had 30 passes before we scored it, which shows the way we can play…
“Yeah, it does, and I think it's just a bravery thing, a mindset thing for us to take the ball. We know we can do it, we've done it. We went to Liverpool away and took the ball really well, and on another day we would have got something from that game.
“Brighton away, we've done the same, and it's not easy to go there. We know what happened with that result, but we know we can do it. As soon as we cross that line onto the pitch, it's down to us to do it and keep the ball.
“I didn't realise it was 30 passes, but Tom got in the box and Mo put it on the plate to get a really good goal.”
And then you got your goal?
“I'd never actually scored at Old Trafford before! There have been a few stadiums this season that I've wanted to score and you know me, I love scoring goals, and scoring goals and winning games is even better.
“But it wasn't just me, it was Mo pressuring, winning the ball back, which he does so well, he works so hard to win the ball back, and then Az putting it on a plate for me and then it was down to me to finish and to have that moment in front of the away fans.
“It’s not been a good season but they've showed up week in, week out, home and away, and to reward them with three points and a performance, a clean sheet like we have today, it gives you that fire in your belly to win a game for them, your teammates, the group, and all the fans who travel miles and miles, week in, week out.
“To have that moment after the game where we're celebrating three points, it's a real special moment.”
How did it feel watching the last 15 minutes after you were substituted?
“I was watching at the end, as I came off about the 75th minute, so we were 2-0 up and I just wanted that time to fast-forward as quickly as possible!
“I think we needed a win, we needed the three points. We've had a couple of games where we've drew and then the Brighton game obviously we thought we were going to win the game and ended up losing, so to win a game, it gives you a shot of confidence that you probably don't even realise.
“It’s a relief more than anything. We know we've gone up in the table now. It's still not hiding away from the season that we've had, because we haven't had the season that we wanted but the mindset going into this game and the remaining two is to win every game, to shoot right up into the table, and that's all we can do.”
Just lastly, two of the lads that started today found out they would be leaving the Club in June, but you wouldn't have known it, as Aaron and Vladi put in a hell of a shift, and you also share the table with Danny Ings and Łukasz Fabiański at Rush Green too – what a contribution they’ve made?
“Yeah, they have, and it's always difficult times. Those are players in the changing room who have been here longer than I have, then Vlad came in a similar time to me, and Ingsy is such a big character in the dressing room as well.
“The performances that Cress and Vladi put in today were a credit to themselves, really, and in the way that they've trained and applied themselves every single day. They are top professionals, top friends, top teammates and like I said, you wouldn't know they've had disappointing news this week.
“Having that moment that the fans gave them at the end as well is really special for them because they're embedded in this Club as well and they've achieved a lot with this Club, and it's going to be a sad day when they go.
“Like I said, it's always a difficult time when you lose friends as well as teammates as well, but, I think their attitudes coming into training every single day, supporting the lads, going out and playing 90 minutes and winning today, it's a full credit to themselves.”
