Jarrod Bowen hailed West Ham United’s Club-wide spirit following 1-1 Premier League draw with Brighton & Hove Albion.
After a low-octane first half, the game warmed up early in the second period, with Mats Wieffer firing the Seagulls in front six minutes after the break.
However, conceding seemed to ignite the Hammers, with captain Bowen playing a central role in their equalizer seven minutes later, running onto Tomáš Souček’s through ball before testing goalkeeper Bart Verbruggen with a rasping shot. The ball bounced up and Mohammed Kudus followed in to head into the roof of the net.
The fighting spirit showed by the Irons was epitomised by Bowen, who never stopped running for his team in a game that was played in a difficult time for the Club he loves, culminating in the loss of teenage Academy of Football goalkeeper Oscar Fairs and the father of Head Coach Julen Lopetegui in recent days, and tributes were paid to both ahead of kick-off at London Stadium.
Speaking after the final whistle, Bowen said the way everyone associated with the Club has conducted themselves during a challenging period that has also seen striker Michail Antonio hospitalised following a car accident, showed that the West Ham family is as strong as ever.
"I think today more than anything was for the little boy and for our manager’s father," he began. "And of course, Micky is still fighting. It’s been a difficult couple of weeks for us, but the thing is that West Ham is a real family Club.
"We have a really good group and we always come round for each other. We always support each other in tough times. This tough period will add more unity to the team, overall.
"When awful things happen like they have, it really brings everyone together, especially for our manager. He’s the one in charge of us, we have a lot of respect from him and we know it will have been difficult for him today. To be standing there on the touchline today is full credit to him. We wanted to win that game for the manager and for the manager’s father. Obviously, that didn’t happen, but we still put everything out there."
Focusing on a game that ebbed and flowed and in which both teams created opportunities to win after the Hammers' leveller, Bowen conceded that the hosts did not produce their very best, but could still be content with the final result achieved.
"It could have gone either way," he observed. "I think in the first half we were on top a bit more, and in the second half we kind of took our foot off the gas a little bit. They had some big chances in the second half, so in the end I think a draw was a fair result.
"I think any point in the Premier League is a good point. We went to Bournemouth on Monday and conceded late, but nearly won the game. And again, here against Brighton, who are a really good side, it could’ve gone either way, so we’ll take a point.
"We wanted to win the game, but we’re going to Southampton on Boxing Day, and we have an opportunity to go there and win the game. We have a lot of games coming up, and a lot of good chances to put points on the table."
Finally, the skipper hailed goalscorer Kudus, who did brilliantly to keep his header under the crossbar and earn a point for his side.
"He brings a lot more than goals to the team," Bowen confirmed. "The way he dribbles with the ball, and the work he does without the ball as well. He’s a great asset for the Club, and I’m really happy for him. He deserves it and I’m sure he’ll score many more this season."
