Bees hammered
Bowen hits treble as West Ham sink brentford to end barren run
LONDON: Jarrod Bowen ended his goal drought with a hattrick as West Ham beat struggling Brentford 4-2 to secure their first win in nine games.
Bowen hadn’t scored in the Premier League since Dec 23, but the England forward got back on track with a stylish treble at the London Stadium.
The 27-year-old struck twice in the first seven minutes before Neal Maupay got one back for Brentford in a frantic opening 13 minutes.
Bowen completed the first hatafter trick of his career the interval before Emerson’s superb longrange blast made it four.
Yoane Wissa reduced the deficit late on, but David Moyes’ side were able to celebrate their first victory since winning at Arsenal on Dec 28.
Ending their longest winless streak in all competitions since 1997 was essential for Moyes, who has come under fire from frustrated fans in recent weeks.
Moyes is yet to decide whether to accept the club’s offer of a new contract, with his present deal expiring at the end of this season.
After losing their last three league games, including a 6-0 embarrassment against Arsenal, and crashing out of the FA Cup at second tier Bristol City, West Ham’s climb to eighth place was a welcome boost for the beleaguered boss.
“We needed to get three points. We played in a much more aggressive fashion tonight,” Moyes said.
“Jarrod was back to his best. He started the season really well, then got injured. If he keeps scoring he’ll be in that England squad for the Euros.”
On his future, Moyes added: “The big thing for me is to see
what happens until the end of the season. I’ve enjoyed it here.”
Relegation-threatened Brentford had slipped down a place before kicking a ball on Monday after Everton’s punishment for breaching Premier
League financial rules was reduced from 10 points to six after an appeal.
Brentford have now lost five of their last six league games and sit below Everton in 16th place, five points above the relegation zone.
Asked about Brentford’s perilous position in the table, boss Thomas Frank said: “I’m unbelievably irritated with our performance so that’s my only focus.
“It’s two steps back again. It’s an inconsistent season so far.”