Alan Smith stunned by Jarrod Bowen on Sky Sports after West Ham win v Brighton
Alan Smith was stunned as Jarrod Bowen put West Ham two-nil up against the run of play at the Amex Stadium in their 3-1 win on Saturday 26 August.
The former Arsenal striker described Bowen’s finish as perfect, and Hammers fans would have been feeling the same in what will be seen as a huge victory against a team that were on top of the world prior to kick-off.
The Seagulls had won and scored eight goals across their opening two games of the season, and were overwhelming favourites going into this one, but a Bowen dagger put them two behind despite all of their possession.
Speaking as the co-commentator on Sky Sports [18:49], Smith lauded the attacker, stating: “Absolutely perfect from Jarrod Bowen.
“A heavy, heavy body blow for the home team that, it’s been smash-and-grab. Beautiful finish.”
A counter-attacking masterclass
West Ham set up to stifle the South Coast side and hit on the break, and that is exactly what they did to devastating effect, first through new signing James Ward-Prowse and then again through their Europa Conference League hero Bowen, whose left-footed strike found its way into the bottom corner.
For all the possession and pretty football Brighton played, the Hammers’ low block and determination meant they had no answers, failing to create any real chances of note for the majority of the game despite their attempts at working the space on the ball to stretch West Ham.
The Hammers have an awful record against Brighton in the Premier League, winning none of their 12 games before their victory tonight, and fans will be heading back to East London knowing they’ve pulled off an upset.
Goals against the run of play always feel better than when you’re dominating. Almost as if knowing you’ve nicked points in smash-and-grab fashion, leaving the home fans frustrated, is just that much sweeter as a travelling fan.
West Ham will now look to push on in their season after two very impressive victories across their last two games.
In other West Ham news, the winner has been named in the race for a £25million striker.