Stuart Pearce believes Jarrod Bowen proved to West Ham that he can lead the line as a centre-forward with his performance against Manchester United, via football.london.
David Moyes fielded Bowen at striker on Wednesday night after resting Michail Antonio, despite travelling with the squad. The 31-year-old was available to feature if selected and was not nursing any fitness issues. But left out of the matchday plans as a tactical choice.
West Ham were without Antonio against Manchester United on Sunday as he served a one-game suspension for his red card. Referee David Coote sent the attacker off for two yellow card offences during the Hammers’ goalless draw with Southampton.
Moyes called on Said Benrahma and Bowen to play central roles in place of Antonio against Manchester United on Sunday. The pair combined for the Irons’ only goal of the 2-1 defeat, with Bowen drifting across the forward line and laying the ball off to Benrahma to net.
Only Bowen featured for West Ham at Old Trafford in midweek and while he did not score, Pearce believes the £22m winger proved a point with his ability to play through the middle.
“I think probably, and bear in mind the goalkeeper [Alphonse Areola] made his debut this evening,” Pearce said. “He was good, and I thought Jarrod leading the line was magnificent, playing in probably not his favourite position. But he’s proved to us he can lead the line.
“He was competitive, and he was a thorn in the side of the United defenders all night. So, he’s come out with massive credit from the game. Without a doubt, they were two of our top performers tonight. No doubt about that, and we’re absolutely delighted with how they’re performing for the club.”
Did Bowen prove he can play at striker for West Ham like Pearce claims?
Bowen strived to stretch the Manchester United defence whenever West Ham pushed up the pitch in Wednesday’s Carabao Cup affair. He created an early chance for Alex Kral to score after collecting possession on the left. But Eric Bailly blocked the midfielder’s shot.
The Hammers kept pushing and soon took the lead through Manuel Lanzini, with what proved to be the only goal. Although Bowen and the Argentine midfielder were particularly dangerous in search of a second to try and seal the win.
Bowen, despite Pearce’s praise and West Ham winning, will have left Old Trafford slightly disappointed not to have scored, however. He ran his heart out, but spurned a chance in the third-minute before finding Kral. Skidding his shot wide of the post from 12-yards out after Andriy Yarmolenko outmuscled Alex Telles on the flank.
Bruno Fernandes also closed Bowen down in the late stages when he appeared free to run at goal. He also tried to go it alone in the final minute of the game, yet Dean Henderson blocked the low driven effort at his near post.
But Bowen ran the channels intelligently and was tireless in trying, with his tenacity unquestionable. Polish the shooting boots, and there would be no doubting his ability to produce through the middle for Moyes.
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