Jarrod Bowen says he is delighted to equal Paolo Di Canio’s Premier League record for the most Hammers goals in a single season following his opener in our 2-2 draw with Liverpool.
Bowen had already been denied twice by goalkeeper Alisson before the England international netted his 20th goal of the season with a superbly placed header from a Mohammed Kudus cross.
And, after absorbing Liverpool pressure and conceding twice to go behind in the second-half, the 27-year-old registered his 30th goal involved of the campaign when his inch-perfect cross was nodded into the top corner by Michail Antonio to rescue a point for the Irons.
It is the latest accolade of scintillating, prolific and record-breaking season by Bowen, who also made his 200th West Ham appearance on Saturday afternoon.
And he is eager for even more as David Moyes’ charges aim for a strong end to the Premier League season.
“I had a couple [of close attempts] before my goal. I’ve probably scored the hardest chance out of them all,” Bowen declared. “I just got in and around the box, Mo [Kudus] put a brilliant ball in, and I actually thought the keeper was going to save it when he got a hand to it, but thankfully it went in the back of the net.
“I’m probably more disappointed that I have missed the last couple of weeks where I would have had chances to score even more but I loved every minute of being back out there and scoring is a great return.
“I’ve missed out through injury for the last couple of weeks and know I need to have a big end to the season with what is happening in the summer (UEFA Euro 2024). All I can do is try and play my A game every week. I wanted to do it today, I want to do it again at Chelsea next weekend and also against Luton before we finish at Manchester City. It’s three really big games for us that we can control our own season and destiny with and, with the standards here, we have to win all of those games to qualify for Europe.”
The 2-2 draw at London Stadium keeps the Hammers in the hunt for a fourth consecutive season of European competition next season – and Bowen believes the Hammers’ destiny is still in their own hands.
“We knew it was going to be that way [a traumatic game of football] and coming off the back of last weekend we today was the chance to put it right,” Bowen said. “We were up against a really top side, but we hung in there in the end. We knew we were going to have to suffer off the ball because it is difficult to get after Liverpool with the quality they have got and the intensity that they play at, but we knew if we stayed in the game, we would have a chance and we almost won it at the end,
“There are different moments that you have to go and get the ball, have to pick your moments and we had a couple [of those moments]. We had one where it came to me and my shot was deflected, he [Alisson] saved it and from that corner we scored. There are times we have to defend deep as well and get after them on the counter-attach, which can be so devastating for us. You have to play different ways against this type of opposition as they score us so many problems.”
Bowen also had praise for his strike partner Antonio, and believes West Ham’s top Premier League goalscorer of all-time is back at his devastating best after scoring his fourth top-flight goal in his last seven appearances.
“I’m trying to catch him [Antonio] but he just keeps scoring,” Bowen laughed. “I think the last few weeks we have seen the Michail [Antonio] that I remember when I joined the Club. He’s had a few injuries this season which has delayed him, but he is probably one of our best players, as we have seen again today against two good centre-halves that he can cause anyone problems. The way he headed [the equaliser] back across goal was like a natural centre-forward. He is a focal point for us up front, holds the ball and bullies centre-halves, which allows me and Mo to run behind the defenders. I can’t speak highly enough of him.”
