Jarrod Bowen produced another captain’s performance as West Ham United beat Bolton Wanderers 3-2 to move top of the Championship.
The Hammers were made to work for their third consecutive league victory at the Toughsheet Community Stadium.
Bowen opened the scoring before Bolton turned the game around, only for Konstantinos Mavropanos to equalise from Arne Engels’ delivery. Bowen then struck the decisive goal during the second half to secure West Ham’s first Championship away victory of the season.
Here are the ReadWestHam player ratings from a dramatic night in Bolton.
Mads Hermansen – 6
Conceding twice will frustrate the goalkeeper after finally collecting a clean sheet against Derby.
Neither goal defines his performance, however, and West Ham eventually did enough defensively to protect the lead once Bowen restored it.
Kyle Walker-Peters – 6
Returned to the starting XI as Nuno rotated at right-back.
West Ham’s defence never looked quite as comfortable as it did against Derby, but Walker-Peters helped them get through a difficult away assignment before being replaced.
Konstantinos Mavropanos – 8
Another huge contribution.
Mavropanos stepped up when West Ham had fallen 2-1 behind and turned Engels’ delivery into the equaliser after 31 minutes.
That is now two goals in three Championship matches for the centre-back.
West Ham conceded twice, so this was not a flawless defensive display, but his goal completely changed the momentum of the first half.
Max Kilman – 6
A considerably more difficult evening than the Derby victory.
Bolton repeatedly made West Ham work and scored twice during a chaotic opening half-hour. Kilman nevertheless helped the Hammers settle after the break and protect the decisive 3-2 lead.
Ollie Scarles – 6
Booked after only seven minutes, which gave the young defender an awkward situation to manage for the remainder of the game.
He got through it without the early yellow becoming a major problem.
Arne Engels – 7
Another productive contribution from the summer signing.
Engels supplied the assist for Mavropanos’ equaliser and continues to give West Ham quality from midfield and dead-ball situations.
He has quickly become one of Nuno’s most dependable players.
Mohamadou Kanté – 6
Given his first start following his goal from the bench against Derby.
Not quite the explosive impact of Saturday, but useful minutes in a much more demanding midfield contest.
Divine Mukasa – 7
Another mature performance from the youngster.
Mukasa continues to look increasingly comfortable as a regular first-team player rather than somebody merely filling a gap in Nuno’s squad.
This was a different challenge from the comfortable Derby victory and he again handled significant responsibility.
Jarrod Bowen – 9 STAR MAN
Who else?
West Ham needed their captain and Bowen delivered twice.
He opened the scoring after 13 minutes and, after Bolton had twice changed the complexion of the game, stepped up again for the winner with 13 minutes remaining.
Bowen has been West Ham’s standout attacking performer during their recent improvement and this was the clearest example yet of his importance.
The Hammers were not at their best.
Their captain still found a way to win the game.
ReadWestHam Man of the Match.
Edvin Austbø – 6
A first West Ham start after his superb goal-and-assist cameo against Derby.
There was no repeat of Saturday’s spectacular impact, but this was valuable experience for the £10million signing.
Bolton provided a much more physical and competitive test and Austbø should benefit from getting his first start under his belt.
Pablo – 6
Returned immediately to the starting XI after his calf issue.
Understandably did not look completely sharp and was unable to provide the goal threat West Ham might have hoped for, but getting him back onto the pitch is useful with Taty Castellanos unavailable.
Substitutes
Joël Veltman – 7
Made a genuine difference.
Veltman came from the bench and provided the assist for Bowen’s winning goal, giving the veteran a direct role in West Ham leaving Bolton with all three points.
Exactly the sort of contribution Nuno needs from a deeper squad during this schedule.
Joël Piroe – 6
Unable to continue his recent scoring run after being introduced, but offered West Ham fresh legs in attack as the contest opened up.
Manor Solomon – 6
Added another attacking outlet from the bench while West Ham pushed for the winner.
Did his job without producing the decisive moment himself.
Lewis Orford – 6
Another useful Championship appearance for the academy midfielder.
Helped West Ham manage the latter stages after Bowen restored the lead.
West Ham’s 3-2 victory at Bolton means Nuno’s side have now won three successive Championship games.
Even better, Swansea City’s defeat at Southampton has left the Hammers top of the Championship table.
There were defensive issues to address.
But with Bowen deciding another game and West Ham continuing to find different ways to win, the direction of travel is becoming increasingly difficult to ignore.
