Jarrod Bowen returned to the West Ham United team with a bang on Monday night, netting the opening goal of his side’s eventual 2-1 defeat to Chelsea.
The Hammers skipper had been absent since suffering a foot injury in the home meeting with Liverpool on 29 December but, after just over a month on the sidelines, he gave a swift reminder of what he is all about by latching onto Levi Colwill’s underhit backpass and finishing confidently beyond Blues stopper Filip Jørgensen.
Bowen’s strike had the Claret and Blue Army hopeful of a rare triumph in west London, only for Chelsea’s second half comeback to derail his side – and ultimately that feeling of disappointment was what dominated the No20’s thoughts at full-time.
Having headed into the interval with the advantage, Bowen felt his side could have gone on to take the points, but he is determined to take the positive energy generated by Graham Potter’s opening games in charge into the closing stretch of the campaign.
“I hate being injured, not being part of the team and not being out there helping the lads,” Bowen began. “It was never a question of how long I could play tonight. It was just 'put me out there so I can run around and be back with it'.
“I ended up playing 90 minutes and, yeah, it felt good out there. I just wish we were sat here speaking having got something from the game and not losing it.
“It’s a disappointing night, ultimately, with the result. There were things that maybe went a little bit against us. A deflected goal and a questionable foul on the halfway line and, then right at the end, Mo [Kudus]'s chance as well that gets blocked [by Tosin Adarabioyo].”
“So, yeah, it was disappointing from being in the lead at half-time and coming away losing.
The Irons were unhappy with the award of Pedro Neto’s 64th-minute equaliser that began the Chelsea comeback, after Bowen appeared to be deliberately blocked off by Colwill to start the move on the halfway line.
Neto eventually profited, and although Bowen felt the play could easily have been called back for that earlier infringement, he insisted his team should have dealt with the shift in momentum better.
He explained: “It felt like he wasn't on the line I was taking, where I was running to. Usually you run into the closest centre-half to you, but I almost ran left all the way around and it was the left centre-half that came across to block me. So, yeah, I think it's a foul, but ultimately it didn't get given by the referee and we had to deal with that.
“I don't think we did well enough after it went 1-1 and then conceding again so they make it 2-1. There are lots of things for us to learn, but then, on another day, Mo’s chance at the end [goes in]. The guy makes a great block.
“Aaron [Wan-Bissaka] has made a good block on the cross [from Cole Palmer for the second Chelsea goal] and it flies in the back of our net. Tonight was one of those nights and, of course, you want to be positive, but you never want to lose a game.”
On the positive side, there was a full Hammers debut for Andy Irving, who gave a committed performance in the visitors’ midfield, while youngsters Ollie Scarles, Lewis Orford and Luis Guilherme were all given valuable minutes.
Bowen was impressed with their contribution and is sure there is more to come.
"Andy's worked incredibly hard and been incredibly patient,” Bowen added. “I get on really well with Andy. I've had a lot of chats with him and always told him that I know his time will come because I've seen it in training.
“He looked comfortable. He looked at home with it, and I know that will be many more for Andy and the young guys as well.
"This Club has taken pride in the years of players coming through and being real good names here for West Ham.
"The manager's not afraid of [putting them in] and if you're good enough, you're old enough.
"I think that gives a lot of confidence to everyone. And, you know, there's a real good spirit about the group and a real energy.
“I've been watching it for the last few weeks and the lads look different. The lads have got real good energy about them. The manager's driving that every single day.
"I think it's a really exciting time. Obviously, you've got Prowsey (James Ward-Prowse) coming back now as well [from a loan spell at Nottingham Forest], which is a real buzz for the lads.
"And you've got Evan [Ferguson] from Brighton as well, and it will be good to meet him. There are obviously players coming back from injuries too, so, there's really good players coming into the group.
“On to Brentford...”
