BBC pundit compares Jarrod Bowen to Ian Wright after West Ham United loss v Liverpool
Shay Given has said West Ham star Jarrod Bowen’s header against Liverpool was “Ian Wright-like”, as he was full of praise for the forward’s performance.
Given praised the brave decision made by Bowen to throw himself at the ball with a diving header, something he claims we don’t see enough of in the modern game.
Bowen scored what was an equaliser for the Hammers just before half-time after a strong first-half showing from David Moyes’ team before two goals from Darwin Nunez and Diogo Jota ultimately saw the hosts take all three points.
Given was speaking live on Match of the Day 2 [24 September, 59:19], joined by Wright and Mark Chapman, where he stated: “It [the header] is a throwback, I was saying off-air it was Ian Wright-like,” which was met by laughter from Wright in the studio.
The Irishman then followed up his claim: “I said it in the green room, it’s an Ian Wright header. But you don’t see many headers like that all joking aside, he’s brave, it’s a brilliant header from Bowen.”
Given is right, you don’t see many like that
A diving-headed goal has become a rarity in the modern game, with players unwilling to put their head in an area where a boot may be, but Bowen’s decision to throw himself in front of the covering Virgil van Dijk ultimately proved the right one.
Bowen was able to stoop and throw himself in front of the defender who stuck out a leg but was unable to get there, with the winger’s sharp movement and quick thinking allowing him to direct the ball into the bottom corner.
If he had tried to nip ahead and get his foot to the ball, it would likely have been dealt with by the experienced Van Dijk, but the surprising option proved to be the right one for Bowen who made it four goals in six games so far this campaign.
A comparison to Ian Wright, one of the country’s greatest-ever goalscorers, is nothing to be dismissed, and the West Ham star’s performances have earned him that high praise. He will now be looking to continue his good form.
In other West Ham news, one Sky Sports pundit was wowed by a Hammers ace v Liverpool.