West Ham United are top of the Championship after Jarrod Bowen scored twice in a dramatic 3-2 victory over Bolton Wanderers.
Nuno Espírito Santo’s side twice surrendered a lead during a frantic first half at the Toughsheet Community Stadium before their captain struck again after 77 minutes to secure a third consecutive league victory.
Bowen opened the scoring after 13 minutes, only for Ethan Erhahon to respond five minutes later.
Rúben Rodrigues then put Bolton ahead from the penalty spot before Konstantinos Mavropanos restored parity with his second Championship goal in three matches.
The decisive moment came 13 minutes from time.
Joël Veltman, introduced from the bench during the second half, supplied Bowen and the West Ham captain delivered the goal that eventually secured all three points. The final match data recorded Bowen’s goals in the 13th and 77th minutes, with Mavropanos scoring in the 31st.
Bowen strikes before frantic Bolton response
West Ham arrived searching for their first Championship away victory and made an encouraging start.
Bowen put Nuno’s side ahead after 13 minutes, continuing his increasingly important contribution since dropping into the second tier.
The advantage lasted only five minutes.
Erhahon levelled for Bolton before the hosts completely turned the game around when Rodrigues converted from the penalty spot after 27 minutes.
West Ham suddenly found themselves 2-1 down against a side that had entered the evening after three consecutive Championship defeats.
They did not trail for long.
Arne Engels provided the delivery for Mavropanos to equalise four minutes later, sending the sides into the break level after an extraordinary opening half-hour.
Mavropanos has now scored in two of West Ham’s last three league games after also finding the net during the 4-2 victory over Wolves.
Jarrod Bowen wins it for West Ham
The second half was much tighter.
Nuno turned to his bench, introducing Veltman, Manor Solomon, Joël Piroe and Lewis Orford as West Ham searched for another breakthrough.
It arrived through the player they have relied upon so often.
Veltman supplied the assist and Bowen finished to make it 3-2 after 77 minutes.
This time West Ham protected their advantage.
FotMob’s final numbers show the Hammers created 2.16 expected goals compared with Bolton’s 1.40, despite both teams finishing with 11 shots. West Ham also recorded 24 touches inside the opposition box to Bolton’s 22.
It was not the controlled defensive display Nuno saw in the 3-0 victory over Derby County, but the result may prove even more significant.
West Ham have now won three consecutive Championship matches after failing to win any of their opening three.
They have also finally ended the away problem examined in our pre-match look at West Ham’s opportunity at Bolton.
There was a historical barrier broken too.
Our Bolton vs West Ham head-to-head guide showed the Hammers had not won away against Wanderers since November 1995.
That wait is finally over.
West Ham go top of the Championship
The result becomes even bigger because of events at St Mary’s.
Swansea City began Tuesday night top of the Championship on 11 points but were beaten 3-1 by Southampton.
West Ham therefore climb from eighth to first after six matches.
Nuno’s side also reach 11 points, but tonight’s one-goal victory takes their goal difference to +5 while Swansea drop to +4 following their two-goal defeat.
The Championship table permutations before Bolton showed that top spot was available if both results went West Ham’s way.
That is exactly what happened.
Three games ago, West Ham were still searching for their first Championship victory.
They now have nine points from nine, a first away league victory of the campaign and, for tonight at least, first place in the Championship.
