2025-12-08 11:33:49
Jarrod Bowen has admitted West Ham’s 1-1 draw with Brighton and Hove Albion is “disappointing”, but insists players “have to trust VAR”.
The captain, 28, saw his superb late strike cancelled out in stoppage time at the Amex Stadium on Sunday (07.12.25) as the Hammers were denied victory in the Premier League once again.
Bowen had put West Ham ahead after 73 minutes with a powerful finish, seemingly securing a valuable away victory after a disciplined display, but Georginio Rutter’s, 23, late leveller – awarded despite a lengthy VAR check for a possible handball – left the Irons with only a point three days after their dramatic comeback draw at Manchester United.
Speaking to the club’s media, Bowen said: “It’s disappointing. The other night we go 1-0 down and get a goal to go 1-1.
“It’s a different emotion tonight, and to be ahead for around 20 minutes and feel like we were going to win the game, then not, is disappointing. I thought we were disciplined, we competed really well, and we didn’t do enough to see out the game.”
Rutter’s equaliser sparked controversy, but Bowen refused to criticise the officials.
He said: “Sometimes things go against you. But ultimately, I think you have to trust the technology that we’ve got, and if that’s the consistency level and they want to say they didn’t see a handball, that’s fine.
“We trust the referees. We trust the VAR to get involved if they think something needs getting involved with, and they didn’t today, so we have to accept that.”
Bowen’s goal ended a two-month drought, taking him to four goals and one assist this season, and he hopes it sparks a stronger run over the festive period.
He said: “I think I’ve been pretty unfortunate for a few weeks. You can either let it eat you up inside, but the most important thing is the team.
“Being captain, having that responsibility, you need to be the focal point even without scoring. Goals and assists are always nice, but if they don’t happen, I don’t let that affect my performances.”
Bowen praised West Ham’s squad depth, highlighting performances from Maximilian Kilman, 28, Guido Rodriguez, 31, and 18-year-old Ezra Mayers, who made his senior debut for the Irons in the match.
He said: “To be a team that wants to do well, you have to have everyone buying into it. Max hasn’t been in the team for a couple of weeks but defended the box really well. Guido hasn’t played for a long time and was excellent.
“Young Ezra getting his debut was brilliant. It shows what kind of team we have.”
With nine points from their last six matches, Bowen believes West Ham’s spirit will be vital over Christmas.
He said: “We’re going into a busy time, and we’re going to need a lot of players.
“We need to show the same work-rate and spirit. That’s going to be massively important going into the new year.”
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