West Ham boss David Moyes has received a lot of criticism this season but even the most disgruntled Hammers fan cannot argue against his impact on Jarrod Bowen.
The England international has spent his career playing in wide positions but earlier in the campaign Moyes opted to deploy him as an out-and-out striker.
The outcome has been Bowen hitting 14 goals – his best return in the Premier League – and a first career hat-trick in the 4-2 win against Brentford on Monday.
It was the perfect time for Bowen to repay his manager’s faith in him in that central role, with the pressure having been mounting on Moyes following a humiliating 6-0 home loss to Arsenal on 11 February and then a 2-0 defeat at Nottingham Forest six days later.
Brentford boss Thomas Frank described Bowen as “unplayable” on Monday and for the player himself he could hardly have timed it better, with England boss Gareth Southgate no doubt getting into the business end of determining who makes his squad for this summer’s European Championship in Germany.
“It gets him back in the goals,” said Moyes. “I’m sure if he scores like that he’ll keep in Gareth [Southgate]’s mind.
“If you can play wide and you’re a goalscorer you will be of interest to the international manager.
“Jarrod Bowen at times has looked that way but hasn’t quite got the goals. Some of his performances recently have gone unnoticed because we haven’t won.
“He was Johnny on the Spot and got the goals. He was a threat in other ways too.”
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Bowen’s 14 goals puts him firmly among the top scorers in the Premier League. He is level with Aston Villa’s Ollie Watkins and Dominic Solanke of Bournemouth, one behind Liverpool forward Mohamed Salah and three behind lead striker Erling Haaland of Manchester City.
That tally for Bowen is even more impressive when you consider he has just emerged from a seven-game scoring drought in the Premier League, stretching back to 23 December.
This was also the first time this season he has scored more than once in game – but against Brentford it seemed like almost every opportunity that came his way he converted into a goal, even scoring a rare header.
“I’d never got the hat-trick [before]. It was on my mind,” Bowen told Sky Sports. “I don’t score many headers but they all count.
“It’s a really proud moment for me. You’re always waiting for that third one and it never comes. I got the little glance on the header and it went in. I was so buzzing to get it.”
Bowen said he still feels there is more to come from him as a striker as he continues to learn how best to play in the position.
“I’m always learning,” he added.
“With my energy, I’m always trying to press. It’s difficult. I’m 5ft 9in and up against big centre-halves. I’ve got to know what I’m good at and what I’m not good at. I’m trying to learn a new position in one of the best leagues.”
Now that he is back among the goals, Bowen will be determined to increase his tally further and really give Southgate food for thought approaching the summer.
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