Graham Potter plays down row between Jarrod Bowen and fan after West Ham defeat
By PA Sport Staff
West Ham boss Graham Potter played down the clash between captain Jarrod Bowen and a frustrated fan after losing 3-2 at Wolves in the Carabao Cup second round.
Jorgen Strand Larsen stepped off the bench to fire in twice in a late three-minute spell as the Hammers struggled to cope in a stirring finish at Molineux.
Bowen was seen to have an exchange with a fan at full-time before being led away by team-mates, quickly taking to Instagram to apologise and vowing to “set a better example”.
Potter was unaware of what was said but described Bowen as a “fantastic captain, servant, player and person for the club”.
“Our supporters have been fantastic,” said Potter.
“They are hurting because of the results we have had and Jarrod obviously cares about the club and the team. He gave everything again and it was just an exchange of views by people who care.
“The most important relationship at a club is between the fans and the team. We need our fans and everyone to stick together.
“The team is suffering at the moment. We are all hurting, I can assure you no-one is celebrating or happy about what we’re doing. We’re all in pain.”
After a tame start, Tomas Soucek and Bowen tested keeper Sam Johnstone midway through the first half but Wolves went into the break a goal to the good.
Jean-Ricner Bellegarde was tripped by Guido Rodriguez and while Hwang Hee-chan’s 43rd-minute penalty cannoned back off the inside of a post, Rodrigo Gomes squeezed in the rebound.
https://x.com/Wolves/status/1960462438614155609
Soucek’s far-post header levelled it five minutes after half-time from a swirling Kyle Walker-Peters cross and with Wolves pressure proving fruitless, the unmarked Lucas Paqueta headed in from close range Bowen’s drilled centre from the right touchline in the 63rd minute.
The hosts kept going, with Strand Larsen, one of four changes with 17 minutes to go, thumping in a rebound from Andre’s drive with eight minutes left.
The Norwegian then headed in Jackson Tchatchoua’s recycled ball after another Alphonse Areola save with six minutes to go to leave home boss Vitor Pereira delighted with a “deserved” first win of the season.
“I feel proud of my players and our supporters,” he said.
“We are building something through the spirit of our team. We made some mistakes but this is normal, we are in the beginning.”
Pereira went on to praise Strand Larsen’s character and commitment amid speculation linking him to Newcastle.
“Jorgen is our player and very important for us,” he continued.
“We will see what happens. I understand football, every player has a price – even (Lionel) Messi or Cristiano (Ronaldo) – but for me, he is very, very important.”