Jarrod Bowen believes West Ham United’s 2-2 draw with Leeds United can serve as a platform for the side to kick on in the Premier League.
A share of the spoils at Elland Road ended a five-match losing run for the Irons, with David Moyes’ side putting on a battling and spirited showing against Jesse Marsch’s Peacocks.
Having displayed the grit, determination and passion required to grind out the result, Bowen is adamant the side have now set their standard for the coming fixtures.
“It was a proper fight,” the forward told West Ham TV. “Two teams really fighting. It’s always a great fixture, coming up here to Leeds. With the atmosphere they create, it’s one of the best for me personally. To play in these games, I want to say it’s good fun, but it’s a constant dog fight for 90 minutes.
“The position we’re in at the minute, we need that week-in and week-out. We need that 110 per cent and it is a given. There is no question about that. We give it for each other, and we give it for the fans.
“We’re disappointed to not get three points after taking the lead but, if you look at their reaction after going behind, we perhaps expected it. We take the point and go again.”
Wilfried Gnonto gave Leeds the lead on 29 minutes with a left-footed strike, following quick interplay with Crysencio Summerville, but the Hammers fought back when Bowen was fouled in the penalty area. A VAR check sae the penalty awarded, and Lucas Paquetá grabbed his first goal in Claret and Blue from 12 yards.
Gianluca Scamacca put West Ham in front on 46 minutes with a smart finish from outside the area, although Rodrigo levelled for Leeds with 20 minutes still to play to ensure honours were even at Elland Road.
Bowen was full of praise for his goalscoring teammates but admitted the side missed a crucial opportunity to get a win on the board.
He continued: “Lucas Paquetá took a great penalty. I’m glad he was confident because the way he ran up, I wasn’t! And then Gianluca showed his quality. It was his first real chance and it was in the back of the net. It was great for them and great for us, because we’ve got really good games – good challenges – coming up now. That endeavour and that work rate; we can’t fall below that.
“I’ve spoken recently about the character in this group. We know it is here. We get the penalty to get us back into the game before half-time, which was good for us. I think going in a goal down would have been even more difficult.
“We then come out and score the goal so early on in the second half as well. I think we do need to look at ourselves a bit in that when we do take the lead, we perhaps settle with that rather than going on.
"Of course, we don’t want to leave ourselves too open and be vulnerable, but at the same time I think the game was there to be won. You can look at it in two different ways. It’s a point after the results we’ve had, but it’s probably two points dropped as well.”
News sadly broke of the passing of Joint-Chairman David Gold prior to Wednesday’s fixture. The lifelong West Ham supporter died peacefully at 86, following a short illness.
Bowen paid tribute to David Gold, remembering the Joint-Chairman’s ardent support of the Club and of his own journey as a West Ham player.
Bowen added: “He's a massive loss. I remember when I first signed, and I met him at London Stadium. That first period too, when we were going through COVID-19, he came into the training ground one day and said ‘well done, Jarrod’ in front of everyone! I was so embarrassed but he was a great man for the Club and a massive loss.
“This game was important for him as well. That passion for the Club, your boyhood Club, is unique. My thoughts are with his close family at this time, and with the fans too.”
