West Ham United 2-0 Norwich City: Jarrod Bowen scores twice as hosts claim comfortable win
By Steve SutcliffeBBC Sport
Last updated on .From the section Premier League
West Ham forward Jarrod Bowen is “knocking on the door” for an England call-up, according to Hammers boss David Moyes.
Bowen scored both goals against bottom club Norwich City to lift his side above Arsenal into fourth in the Premier League table.
The former Hull City player, who signed in a £20m-plus deal in January 2020, has eight goals in all competitions this season, including three in his last two appearances, and has a further eight assists in 2021-22.
Asked after his side’s fourth straight league and cup win whether Bowen was ready for an England call, Moyes told BBC Radio 5 Live: “It’s Gareth [Southgate] who makes the decisions and Gareth has picked really well over the last few years.
“I think he is knocking on the door because he’s beginning to score and is getting assists.
“But the competition to get in the England team – especially those wide areas – is incredible. It’s a really difficult job to get in the team but he’s doing a great job for West Ham and that’s what I’m interested in.”
The Hammers’ third consecutive top-flight win saw them move two points ahead of fifth-placed Arsenal, who have a game in hand, and four above Tottenham, who are sixth and have played three games less.
“We have to try to keep it going,” Moyes added.
“As long as we are around the mix and European places, that will be really good but if we can hang on the coat tails of teams above, that is what we will try and do.”
“I don’t think being fourth this moment in time means an awful lot, apart from showing we have been consistent.”
Bowen’s strikes condemned Norwich to their sixth straight defeat in the Premier League, with his first coming from Vladimir Coufal’s inviting cross just before the break and his second arriving in the 83rd minute when he turned in Arthur Masuaku’s ball.
The hosts were below their best, but still created several other excellent chances that should have amounted to a more handsome margin of victory.
Bowen had an earlier effort ruled out by VAR, with Nikola Vlasic deemed to be offside and interfering with Norwich goalkeeper Tim Krul, and also hit the woodwork twice, while Michail Antonio blazed over from close range.
On a disappointing evening for the visitors, Adam Idah went close to levelling with the score at 1-0, but saw his drive pushed on to the post by home goalkeeper Lukasz Fabianski.
Bar that attempt, however, Dean Smith’s side offered little in attack and have now failed to score a top-flight goal for 540 minutes.
Hammers take control with more intensity
After half an hour of this contest there was little to choose between either side, with the pre-match pyrotechnics arguably offering more excitement than the attacking play on show.
However, the Hammers clicked into gear shortly after, with Moyes barking out instructions and urging his players to provide more intensity.
Bowen’s first disallowed goal only served as a warning to Norwich, who quickly fell behind in the 42nd minute when he rose above Ben Gibson to direct a header into the bottom left corner.
The 25-year-old produced the kind of performance that is only likely to underline his credentials as a prospective England player.
Bowen’s tally of being directly involved in an impressive 16 goals in all competitions this term is the most by an English player operating in the top flight.
The only complaint that could be levelled at Bowen against Norwich was that he didn’t add to his two-goal tally, clipping an effort on to the bar and firing against the right-hand post when well placed.
Only six sides in Premier League history have accumulated fewer points than Norwich after 20 games.
And if their dismal run continues for much longer their hopes of survival look forlorn even if they are still currently within touching distance of fellow strugglers Watford, Newcastle and Burnley.
Smith’s side were neat and tidy in possession but produced just three shots on target, with Idah’s the only one of any note.
Aside from Teemu Pukki, who has scored five times this season, only three other players have registered a top-flight goal.
Unless the Canaries can add some firepower to support their Finland international frontman it is difficult to envisage them pulling off a great escape in their remaining 18 fixtures.
