west ham United were under pressure to get a result after a single win from their opening six Premier League matches.
However, the East Londoners showed perfect response on Saturday as they cruised to an emphatic 4-1 success against ipswitch town at the London Stadium.
Julen Lopetegui’s side made a spectacular start to the home encounter, with Michail Antonio sweeping home Jarrod Bowen’s low cross within the first minute.
However, their lead didn’t last more than five minutes as Liam Delap unleashed a superb effort that squirmed past Alphonse Areola.
Kalin Phillips and Jacob Greaves threatened to put the visitors ahead, but the Hammers headed to the break as the happier team after Mohammed Kudus converted from close range.
Bowen put his side in a commanding position on 49 minutes as the 27-year-old hit the bottom corner with a brilliant curling shot.
Delap threatened to reduce the deficit before Lucas Paqueta slotted their fourth to put further gloss on the scoreline.
The National press were effusive in their praise of West Ham’s performance but they were particularly impressed with Jarrod Bowen.
The Sunday mirror gave the 27-year-old 8/10 rating for scoring as well as assisting a goal. They were also delighted with the forward’s good work in the build-up to their fourth goal.
Bowen completed 23 of his 24 passes (96 percent) and created two big chances. He also had three shots on target and registered five key passes.
The victory will likely relieve some pressure off manager Julen Lopetegui before the international break.
The Spanish boss came under a lot of scrutiny after the disappointing results in recent weeks. But he led them to an emphatic victory against Ipswich and that will likely give a big boost to their confidence.
West Ham United boss Julen Lopetegui praised his side’s mentality following their 4-1 victory over the Blues at the London Stadium.
Lopetegui had gone into the game under pressure, the Hammers having failed to pick up a point in their previous three home matches.
“It is always important to win at home,” he said afterwards. “I’m happy for the fans and the players too because they deserve this. It was a hard match, as all the matches in the Premier League are, but we did very well.
“We started very well, but suffered a very early equalising goal. I think after that we had a very good mentality, we kept strong and we deserved to score before we did get the second.
“In the last chance of the half we did score, and we kept going in the second half. We kept looking for goals and in the end we achieved a good victory. It is always a good moment to score a goal!
“But it’s true that we deserved to score before we did, in the last action of the first half. We then got another at the start of the second half and it was important to score at both of those times.
“I would like to highlight the defensive work we did, too. Against this kind of team, the key thing is that we defend very well and we don’t allow them to play us in their style. I think that was important.”
Regarding Jarrod Bowen’s reaction to being left out of the England squad this week, he added: “The best way to show your disappointment as a player is this.
“When you don’t play in one line-up, when you don’t go away with England, it’s this. I think he knows that. He is always ready to help the team.
“He is always ready to work hard, to play well and that’s why he is a very good player.”
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