Bowen nets hat-trick as West Ham end poor run

A hat-trick from Jarrod Bowen helped West Ham United to snap a six-match winless run in the Premier League as they secured their first victory of 2024 with a thrilling 4-2 home win over Brentford on Monday.

David Moyes’ side moved up to eighth with 39 points, level with seventh-placed Brighton and five adrift of sixth-placed Manchester United. Brentford remain 16th with 25 points, five clear of the relegation zone.

“I’d hoped it was coming. It was needed. Our form in six weeks has been poor. It’s good to score four goals and get a win at home,” Moyes told the BBC.

“(Eighth place) is not bad at this time of the season. We’re always getting a level of criticism but we’re up there challenging.

“There’s a lot of teams with a lot of money and experience. It was only three years ago we were battling to avoid relegation most seasons.”

The hosts grabbed the lead five minutes into the game as Bowen collected Emerson’s pass from the left to slam home a fierce low shot before doubling the lead with a half-volley from close range two minutes later.

Neal Maupay pulled one back for the visitors in the 13th minute following a pass from Keane Lewis-Potter, sliding through the centre of the box to lob the ball over French compatriot keeper Alphonse Areola.

Bowen capitalised on Brentford’s sloppy defending to complete his first ever senior hat-trick with a header on the edge of the six-yard box in the 63rd minute, and Emerson made it 4-1 with a superb long-range shot into the top right corner in the 69th minute.

Yoane Wissa scored eight minutes from time for Brentford, who came close to a stoppage time goal but fell short as they suffered their fifth defeat in their last six games.

“There’s been a lot of games, at Hull City too, where I scored two but couldn’t get the third one,” Bowen said.

“Inside I was really happy for myself to get that first hat-trick I’ve been waiting for many years.

“We knew tonight we could create a home atmosphere with the fans and if we started well they’d respond to it.”

West Ham next play at Everton on Saturday, while Brentford host Chelsea.