Unbelievable:Angry Jarrod Bowen. announce his resignation and departure today immediately after he was to..……
You might think the fate of David Moyes’s West Ham United depends on Jarrod Bowen. Darkness threatened to consume their seasons, with his Conference League final heroics fading by the day. One hat-trick later, onto a career-best 14 Premier League goals for the season, and everything seems rosy again.
It has been a trying 2024 for the striker and his team. Bowen had not scored a Premier League goal since December and West Ham had not won a league game, but his three here demonstrated his clinical edge. The first was a gorgeous outside-boot finish after five minutes. Two minutes later he had a simpler chance from a Vladimir Coufal pass, but there was the briefest delay to Bowen’s run, to ensure he could sweep it home without breaking stride.
The third, a header, was admittedly made easier by Brentford’s Kristoffer Ajer temporarily forgetting about the concept of marking. All welcome news for West Ham, and Gareth Southgate. “I’m really pleased for Jarrod, I think his performances recently have gone a wee bit unnoticed because we’ve not played well,” said David Moyes. “The goals will obviously be the noticeable things but his all-round play, his work, he was a threat all night.
“If you can play wide and you can play centre-forward and you’re a goalscorer I think you’ll always be interesting to the national manager.”
Bowen scores
Bowen with his second CREDIT: Getty
“Bowen was unplayable,” lamented Thomas Frank. But look beyond his hat-trick, and Emerson upstaging all three goals with a faultless long-range fourth, and the key to West Ham’s success was the returning Lucas Paqueta. Their winless run has coincided with his injury and he was a subtly important presence, linking play with a vision and accuracy which his team have lacked.
This win put Moyes’s side eighth, level on points with Brighton and they have a winnable Europa League round of 16 tie against Freiburg next week. Once again rumours of their demise seem grossly exaggerated.
No-one seems to be panicking about Brentford, but there was cause for alarm throughout this game. They responded well to falling 2-0 down within seven minutes, Neal Maupay finishing with feeling from a neat pass from Keane Lewis-Potter. Two goals later, Yoane Wissa made it 4-2 and they flickered back into life, threatening to deliver the night of angst West Ham had expected.
That never materialised and with 10 defeats from their past 12 games plus Everton’s reduced points deduction, choppy waters are ahead. Frank Onyeka and Zanka were both guilty of woeful complacency on the ball to gift West Ham the chances to score their first two goals. Frank’s side held a very modern stand-up meeting as West Ham celebrated to pick apart their issues, but there are no sophisticated data-driven solutions to early-game brain fades.
Mild shenanigans after the break when league-leading irritant Maupay engaged in a heated disagreement within West Ham coach Kevin Nolan. Colleagues from both sides wisely guided the aggressors apart, by the end they back on hugging terms.
Half time dispute
CREDIT: Sky Sports
West Ham then resumed cagily against a team which did not seem especially threatening, exactly the sort of thing their fans have grumbled about. But this was the pragmatic approach required to nullify any threat of a Brentford comeback. Despite their two goals it never seemed likely and Frank’s team were well beaten. Moyes’s, at last, rose to the occasion.
West Ham United 4 Brentford 2: as it happened, below
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SENIOR SPORTS WRITER, AT THE LONDON STADIUM and
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10:42PM
Think that’ll do it
for our dual-purpose blog. A pair of hat-tricks: Jarrod Bowen for West Ham and then Ellis Simms also grabbing the match ball against Maidstone. Sam Dean’s report of Coventry 5 Maidstone 0 is over here. And Thom Gibbs’s match report of West Ham 4 Brentford 2 is above here. Cheers.
10:36PM
Thomas Frank
“We didn’t hit our level individually and collectively. Bowen was unplayable. We lost the game fair and square.
“Then again, there were decisions. I thought Reguilon was a penalty. For me it was a clear push in the back but lets move on and talk about football.
“We are working very hard on our consistency. We need to find a way.”
10:32PM
David Moyes
“We needed three points. More aggressive. You see the difference Paqueta can make, Jarrod back to his best.
“We were nervous about bringing Paqueta off, I probably should have got him off five minutes earlier but he is the sort of boy who says he is fine but then isn’t five minutes later.
“Top half of the league is good for West Ham, that is the level. There is a wee bit of reality that needs to come in.
“Jarrod went away with England and got injured but he is getting back to it. I hope he goes with the England squad to the Euros.
“I want to see if I can drive the team on. I enjoy it here and the club has been good to me.” (ducks question about contract)
10:13PM
Jarrod Bowen on Sky
“Incredible. Had a couple of twos but you’re always hoping for that third. I am not really a familiar header of the ball but a little glance and it went in. I was so buzzing to get my first hat-trick. When Maup put the ball in I thought “oh I’m in here!” but you don’t want to miss from four yards!”
“I said tonight to the lads that this one game can change the season.”
Seems like a smashing lad.
9:58PM
Full time: West Ham 4 Brentford 2
That’s an excellent win for the Hammers, who have a dismal record against this opponent in the PL. It now reads played six, one won. No doubt as to the identity of the MotM – and a nice moment as Brentford manager Thomas Frank congratulates Jarrod Bowen on his hat-trick.
9:56PM
90+5 mins: West Ham 4 Brentford 2
Areola with a splendid save. Toney gets up brilliantly for the header and – looking at it on second viewing – this is an absolute worldie of a save. West Ham right under the pump.
“Too little too late from the away team,” says Gary Neville. “They should have been putting these balls into the box ten minutes ago.”
9:52PM
90+ mins: West Ham 4 Brentford 2
Brentford have seven minutes of added time but they don’t seem anywhere near their best.
Toney looking to get something going with a good bit of hold up play and patience to play it across but Norgaard cannot do the business at the far post.
9:43PM
GOAL! West Ham 4 Brentford 2 (Wissa 83)
Wissa with a nice shimmy and dip, opens up the body and a bit of space to the goalie’s left, tucks it away neatly and that’s given Brentford a bit of a lifeline.
Against most teams I’d say it would just be a consolation but this Hammers group look pretty low on self-confidence.
9:40PM
Full time: Coventry 5 Maidstone 0
Never in doubt after Ellis Simms netted his second after just 14 minutes. He notched his hat-trick within 35 minutes. To their credit, Maidstone kept their opponents quiet for the next 53 minutes but Tavares put some mustard on the scoreline with two late goals and five, maybe, feels a little bit harsh.
9:37PM
GOAL! Coventry 5 Maidstone 0 (Tavares 90+1)
Ah, shame. A goalkeeping error hands Tavares the simplest chance he will ever get and it’s all coming apart at the seams for the non-League outfit.
9:36PM
GOAL! Coventry 4 Maidstone 0 (Tavares 88)
Tavares thumps home the fourth as Cov show no mercy.
9:34PM
85 mins: Coventry 3 Maidstone 0
Can Maidstone maybe nick one? Been fairly solid in the second half, albeit that Cov have taken their f off the g.
9:31PM
GOAL! West Ham 4 Brentford 1 (Emerson 69)
Emerson Palmieri with a thuderbison! He’s absolutely smashed it, what a hit. One touch and then full pongo from 25 yards. Tremendous strike from Emerson ‘Lake And’ Palmieri.
9:28PM
66 mins: West Ham 3 Brentford 1
Blatant and rather pathetic dive as Nørgaard gets into the Hammers area from the set piece, West Ham’s players are not happy. And there’s a bit more verbals on the benches, looks like T Frank is involved now.
9:25PM
GOAL! West Ham 3 Brentford 1 (Bowen)
Our second hat-trick of the evening! Jarrod Bowen. Kudus with a well aimed cross, good movement from Bowen and he gets in position to nod it home.
9:20PM
Barry Fry’s in!
Legendary manager, most associated obviously with Peterborough and Barnet but he had a spell managing Maidstone in the 1980s.
9:14PM
55 mins: West Ham 2 Brentford 1
Reguilon is making a complete balloon of himself. He has already been booked for a bad tackle from behind with a side order of yap, and now he’s carved Soucek in half from behind and is protesting about that being given a foul too! Those of a betting persuasion will be firing him up for a red in this half, he’s asking for it.
9:09PM
50 mins: West Ham 2 Brentford 1
Second half is underway. Brentford’s guys STILL grizzling to the referee about the Reguilon penalty shout on 16 mins.
Bit of verbals and very minor handbags (clutch purses?) between Brentford players and Hammers bench as they emerged from half time. Looked like they were debating the 16 minute Reguilon penalty claim? Maupay, who loves a bit of it, and Kevin Nolan, who loves a bit of it and does furthermore look like he could put Neal Maupay bye-bye before returning back to the Daily Star breaktime crossword and an XXL Mighty Meaty without breaking sweat, are the belligerents.
Half time dispute
CREDIT: Sky Sports
Second dig yet to get going in the first five.
9:02PM
57 mins: Coventry 3 Maidstone 0
Maidstone making a decent fist of things, they are in the oppo half and have got it in the mixer once or twice. But you don’t need me to tell you that there’s no way back from 0-3.
8:50PM
Half time: West Ham 2 Brentford 1
Enjoyable game, especially the first 15. West Ham are what you might call unconvincing front-runners. Confident in predicting more goals.
8:48PM
45 mins: West Ham 2 Brentford 1
Soucek and Toney will both feel they should have scored good chances as the half comes to an end but offside flags at both ends spare their blushes.
8:44PM
40 mins: West Ham 2 Brentford 1
Funny sort of a game in that West Ham started like a steam train but now look a bit awkward and anxious. Brentford rallied hard after going 2-0 down and then scored but they themselves are not quite at their best. Ivan Toney has been quiet.
8:38PM
Half time: Coventry 0 Maidstone 0
Ellis Simms was given three excellent chances and he has himself a hat-trick. Coventry have had 15 shots and hit the target with seven. Covolan Cauagnari has already made seven saves in the Maidstone nets and I’m sure he’s going to get plenty of work in the second half as well.
8:30PM
Thom Gibbs writes
“Not sure anyone had “pulsating mega-goalfest” down on their Monday Night Football bingo card but this is the magic of the FA Carling Premiership.
“Noise of the crowd feels instructive, yelps of relief and delight for West Ham’s two goals, but it’s all Brentford in the stands now as the home crowd settle into nervy and vulnerable near-silence. You sense they are ready to really turn on their team, its manager, the general state of things if things go south tonight.
“Game has settled down since its unexpectedly bonkers opening minutes, which is probably what Moyes wants. Plenty of joy for both teams down their right-hand sides, Reguilon often exposed against Soucek and Lewis-Potter looking bright for Brentord.”
8:26PM
GOAL! Coventry 3 Maidstone 0 (Simms 35)
Simms has a hat-trick! As Sam Dean says, he looks too good for Maidstone and he’s netted his third. Palmer had an effort from distance, it was a pretty decent stop from the Maidstone keeper but unluckily for him, he dishes the rebound straight up to Simms, who tucks it away for the match ball.
Simms: 3
The Simms: 3 CREDIT: Action Images via Reuters
8:25PM
24 mins: West Ham 2 Brentford 1
Reguilón chops down Kudus,and then – absurdly – starts effing and jeffing at the ref, who rightly books him. Could arguably have booked him for the tackle alone, but Reguilón made sure with the verbals.
8:23PM
21 mins: West Ham 2 Brentford 1
As you’d expect from a side who have no win in eight, West Ham look short on confidence and that goal has really rocked them back. They go into their shells.
Paqueta, though, gives some energy by getting forward and filing a volley not far wide.
Mohammed Kudus shoves over Sergio Reguilon in the box and the Spanish international needs no second invitation to hit the deck in the penalty area. Albeit that Sergio made a meal of it, I think that was a penalty. Certainly Brentford are upset that there’s not so much as a VAR. (16 mins)
8:14PM
GOAL! West Ham 2 Brentford 1 (Maupay 13)
Terrific game unfolding at West Ham! The Bees have pulled one back.
Keane Lewis-Potter finds Neal Maupay, who scores past Alphonse Areola.
8:11PM
Sam Dean on Ellis Simms
“Ellis Simms played in the Premier League for Everton. Kasey Palmer played in the Premier League for Huddersfield Town. These are very good footballers and, I am sorry to report, they are too good for Maidstone United. Two Palmer assists, two Simms goals. And that might just be game over…”
8:10PM
So busy starts to both games
Coventry two-nil up in 14 minutes, West Ham two-nil up in just seven.
8:08PM
GOAL! West Ham 2 Brentford 0 (Bowen 7)
Another one! Brentford overelaborate, lose it. Bowen and Kudos link up superbly and cut them open, played out to the right and back in again and there is Bowen to make it two!
Bowen scores
CREDIT: Getty
8:06PM
GOAL! West Ham 1 Brentford 0 (Bowen 5)
West Ham have just missed a sitter as Vladimir Coufal crosses for James Ward-Prowse to flick on with the header. Tomas Soucek has managed to hoof it over the bar from six yards.
But there’s no time to fret about that because they come straight back at Brentford and have taken the lead. Emerson Palmieri fed Bowen, who stroked an attractive shot home from 15 yards or so.
8:04PM
Thom Gibbs at West Ham
Easy to become a bit blasé about every Premier League game being basically sold out, but very much not the case here at the London Stadium. Plenty of vacant seats, especially the upper reaches of the stands. Looks like the top rows of seats have been covered by tarpaulin, which is more the behaviour I expect of an arena band who aren’t as popular as they once were than a David Moyes football club.
Those who have braved the long walk from Westfield will be cheered by the return of Paqueta for West Ham, given how their season has unravelled without him. The bubble machines have tooted their last and Brentford have just kicked off.
8:04PM
GOAL! Coventry 2 Maidstone 0 (Simms 14)
Similar sort of goal to the last one, Simms making a clever little run through, more central this time. Again the ball is correctly timed and again his finish is very efficient. I’m sorry to say that this one might be over already. Palmer with the assist once again.
8:02PM
We are underway at West Ham
their record against Brentford is awful.
7:59PM
GOAL! Coventry 1 Maidstone 0 (Simms 9)
Sadly, they cannot. Undone by a nice little through ball, there’s some big holes in that back line and both left back and the left centre half will want to have a think about their positioning. Felt like one of those attempted offside traps where one’s gone and the other hasnae.
Anyway, it’s slipped through for Ellis Simms, who takes a regulation chance very well. Palmer the man who played the ball through.
7:57PM
Maidstone having a good go
Can they keep it tight for a bit?
Tell you what, we’ve shown no fear when we’ve got the ball. Of course, Coventry having majority but we’ve looked ok so far.
CC 0-0 MU | 9′
— Maidstone United (@maidstoneunited) February 26, 2024
7:53PM
3 mins: Coventry 0 Maidstone 0
A mix-up at the back for Maidstone. Wright fires in a hard shot on the turn and that’s a decent stop in the Maidstone goal by Covolan Cauagnari.
7:49PM
Kick off at Coventry
The non-League side have made a busy and bright start, bags of energy and pushing up with plenty of fizz and pressing energy.
Sam Dean is at the game for HMDT. Here is his first dispatch.
“Maidstone are the lowest-ranked team to reach the last 16 of the FA Cup since Blyth Spartans in 1978. They sold around 5,000 tickets for this and the away fans have been having a lovely evening so far. The football has only just started, though…”
7:44PM
Gary Neville on Poch bottle comments
on last night’s bottle comments. “It is a harsh word. I don’t want to use expressions like man up. But this is top level football and you are going to get scrutiny. I work for Sky Sports and my job is to deliver lines.
“Some managers have an aura, an unbeatable spirit. I played under one.”
‘Blue billion-pound bottle jobs’ signals the second coming of Gary Neville, football pundit
7:41PM
George Elokobi
the Maidstone manager seems like a total star. He’s geeing up the fans, tremendous stuff.
7:33PM
Banner this sick filth
Enjoyable stuff as West Ham fans take aim at Moyes… looks like they might have kept the banner in the attic in case needed further!
West Ham fans unfurl ‘Moyes Out’ banner as Nottingham Forest extend their dire run
David Moyes was asked about his thoughts on the ‘Moyes Out’ banner on display at Craven Cottage on Saturday ‘I can’t really answer that, can I? They can do that if they choose to do so.’ pic.twitter.com/MfKUZvPS4B
— West Ham Football (@westhamfootball) April 9, 2023
7:29PM
Coventry come into this
after their worst performance of the season. Mark Robins says “he is looking for a reaction”, and he has tried to bring that about by changing SIX players from the team that was soundly beaten by Preston North End at home in their last outing. Robins called that “one of our worst performances in years”.
7:27PM
Premier League teams
7:24PM
FA Cup teams
7:12PM
KEY FACT
The referee for the Coventry game, Michael Salisbury, is NOT from Salisbury. He is in fact from Lancashire. You may remember him as the chap who, when acting as a VAR, missed a key foul in a Spurs v Brighton game. That was April last year and I think he was removed from the Premier League firing line, such was the drama.
7:07PM
Teams for West Ham vs Brentford
Key man Paqueta back for the Hammers!
West Ham: Areola, Coufal, Zouma, Mavropanos, Emerson Palmieri, Soucek, Alvarez, Lucas Paqueta, Ward-Prowse, Kudus, Bowen. Subs: Fabianski, Johnson, Antonio, Ings, Ogbonna, Aguerd, Mubama, Scarles, Earthy.
Brentford: Flekken, Jorgensen, Ajer, Mee, Lewis-Potter, Onyeka, Norgaard, Jensen, Reguilon, Toney, Maupay. Subs: Wissa, Ghoddos, Strakosha, Collins, Damsgaard, Baptiste, Janelt, Roerslev, Yarmolyuk.
