Jarrod Bowen may have got the equaliser and James Ward-Prowse may have scored the winner, but West Ham United’s 2-1 win over Tottenham Hotspur was down to the efforts of every single Hammer on the pitch.
That’s how Bowen looks at the Irons’ impressive effort in north London on Thursday evening.
It looked like being a tricky evening at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium for David Moyes’ men, after Cristian Romero’s headed finish on eleven minutes gave the hosts the lead, but Bowen struck back for the visitors to level on 52 minutes.
The attacker then played his role in the winning goal, putting Tottenham goalkeeper Guglielmo Vicario under pressure to allow James Ward-Prowse the time and space to slot home West Ham’s second at the second attempt after initially hitting the post 16 minutes from time.
With three points in the bag, and West Ham six games unbeaten in all competitions, Bowen was thrilled with the efforts of the entire team.
“Everyone, to a man tonight, was excellent,” Bowen told West Ham TV. “And that’s what it takes to win against a top side. Those are the standards and this is what it means.
“We want to enjoy these moments across the whole Club. This is a massive statement and to get results in the Premier League, you have to play like that and hold onto those three points. Credit to everyone, we worked to a man.
“We were a goal down and we were still in the game but I think we were a couple of yards off the pace in the first half. Tottenham are a really good side, take nothing away from them, but we showed them in the second half what we’re about as well. It was, in a way, a classic West Ham performance. We’ve shown some quality on the ball and we’ve come away with three points.”
Jubilation spread through the travelling Claret and Blue throughout the second half, culminating in an almighty roar of approval on the full-time whistle. An impressive noise in an otherwise silenced Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.
To score the goals right in front of the West Ham fans, and then celebrate with them, was particularly special for the No20.
“The away end was unbelievable. To hold on in the end and take three points, especially after the weekend, I think we needed a reaction. A couple of wins in this tight schedule takes us up into those top six places so we have to keep doing it.
“It's poetry to score those goals in front of the away support. It’s the best feeling. I didn’t know how the ball was going to drop to me and I thought it could go anywhere but, thankfully, it went in. You go into the away end and see the scenes and it was even more for Prowsey’s goal too.
“At the final whistle, we had it as well. We weren’t good enough in the first half and we accept that. But to dig in the way we have done, we showed some proper character. Celebrating with the fans after, we’re all over the moon.”
Bowen started Thursday evening’s match in his more familiar position on the right side of attack, with Mohammed Kudus leading the line. As the fixture went on though, the two switched, with Bowen playing up top for the Hammers.
It was in this role that Bowen had a true influence on proceedings in north London.
“If I’m playing through the middle, I’m able to bring my energy to the team,” he added. “I like running around and working hard for the team. On another day, I might have got the ball, gone around the goalkeeper and scored a second, but it fell to Prowsey and I’m sure he was nervous with it on his left foot!
“But we stepped up our pressing in the second half and took the game to them a bit. We went toe to toe a bit more with them and we got our rewards.”
With his goal, Bowen has scored in all seven of his away Premier League outings this campaign, taking his tally to ten for the season and his West Ham total to 50.
The Hammers travel across London again on Sunday, facing Fulham. Bowen is eager to keep his own particular goalscoring run going.
“I didn’t play in the Burnley game so hopefully my own record can keep going,” he added. “I want to keep scoring goals and playing my role in the team. Whether that’s home or away, I want to keep scoring goals and doing my part.”
