‘Brilliant Play’ – One Hammer Leads The Way

After the break for international football and some of the huge distances travelled by players, it was not surprising to see varying energy levels from some of those on display. Another reason, incidentally, why including Antonio in the starting line up raised a few eyebrows. He’d travelled back from Honduras on Thursday, a 17 hour flight. Whilst it was understandable that he was jaded- most of us wouldn’t have been coherent let alone fit for footy-it does perplex me that he wasn’t sat on the bench.

Edson Alvarez however looked to have benefitted enormously from missing out on his own transatlantic trip as he did not make the Mexico squad and trained with the Hammers at home. It looks to have done him the world of good as he was back to near best in terms of energy levels and tackling with gusto.

Jarrod Bowen, however, was on another level: After a lacklustre couple of games at the start of the season, he looks fit and hungry again. We should thank Lee Carsley for keeping him safe from the ardours of 180 minutes of England duty – although the ambitious Bowen would have referred to play major roles instead of cameo substitute appearances- it looks as if it did wonders for his fitness and energy.

His closing down when moved to a central, striker role was exemplary, and leading by example, he set the tone for much of the second half, chasing down lost causes and closing down the ‘Fulham keeper. It was of course being switched on well into added time and chasing a Coufal throw-in that led to Danny Ings‘ goal: Bowen’s tireless energy well over the 90-minute mark meant he just kept the ball in play and managed a superb cut back for Ings.

Alan Shearer – who knows a thing or two about forward play – described Bowen’s assist on BBC MOTD “It’s brilliant play from Bowen, how he’s kept [the ball] in. Danny Ings is free in there … and finishes it off.” 

To be that committed to the Claret and Blue cause, chasing down everything, makes Lopetegui’s choice of Captain look inspired. Whilst Jarrod Bowen might not have got onto the score sheet himself, he led from the front and – who knows- might just have given his coach an idea or two about playing two attackers in future.