If ever there was a sign of how consistent David Moyes’ signing of 2020 has been for West Ham United, this long-standing record which Jarrod Bowen has now equalled surely proves his value and the merit of bringing him to east London from Hull City.
The last time a West Ham player scored at least ten times a season in five consecutive seasons was way back in 1988 when the Hammers were managed by John Lyall and had just sold Frank McAvennie to Celtic: Tony Cottee scored ten times in ’88 – for the fifth season in a row- before being sold to Everton for the princely sum of £2.05 million which was a British record at that time.
Cottee- West Ham’s record holder before he was sold in 1988
Fast forward thirty eight years and Jarrod Bowen’s two goals against Brentford took him to ten again this season – for the fifth season in a row and he now becomes the first since Cottee to manage the feat.
West Ham fans will always be grateful that ‘Moyesie’ didn’t dither over the deal to spend £20 million on signing the winger who would become one of West Ham’s all time greats.
Taking Cottee’s record is a testimony to the Hammers’ captain’s consistency and endurance.
Clearly announcing his return to top form on Monday night, Bowen will surely overhaul Michail Antonio’s West Ham record total of 86 Premier League goals before long : JB20 needs just four to equal Antonio’s record so at this rate he may yet surpass Mikey by the end of this season – with any luck helping to secure Premier League survival along the way.
Mr Cottee scored a fair few in excess of 10 in most of those seasons 😊⚒️⚒️