Exclusive: Jarrod Bowen too ‘honest’ as West Ham denied penalty v Southampton
West Ham attacker Jarrod Bowen was denied a penalty during his side’s draw with Southampton, and Keith Hackett has given his verdict on that decision.
The former PGMOL chief and ex-FIFA official exclusively told Football Insider that Bowen is an “honest” player, after the England international did not go to ground then being held inside the penalty area.
West Ham fans have already begun to question Graham Potter, with the former Brighton and Chelsea manager struggling to deliver results since replacing Julen Lopetegui earlier this season.
A 1-1 draw against already-relegated Southampton at the London Stadium on Saturday (19 April) is unlikely to have helped the 49-year-old.
They were though not helped by a crucial penalty decision that came during the second half of that match, where the Irons captain is considered to have helped the referee not award a spot kick by not diving.
Jack Stephens escape punishment for Jarrod Bowen offence
Despite his side’s struggles, Bowen has once again been a shining light for West Ham to attract attention from Liverpool through his form this season.
That was again the case in this match, with the winger having put his side 1-0 up shortly after half time after being teed up by Niclas Fullkrug.
Midway through the second half, the Hammers then saw claims for a penalty turned down after Bowen was held back by Stephens in the Southampton penalty area.
| West Ham last five games | Result |
| Everton (A) | Drew 1-1 |
| Wolves (A) | Lost 1-0 |
| Bournemouth (H) | Drew 2-2 |
| Liverpool (A) | Lost 2-1 |
| Southampton (H) | Drew 1-1 |
With the West Ham ace not going to ground and making little by way of appeal after his opponent’s intervention prevented him reaching the ball, referee Andrew Kitchen elected not to award a spot kick.
VAR also confirmed that decision, although Hackett believes a penalty should have been given to Bowen, and that his reaction may have contributed to him not getting the decision.
‘West Ham unlucky not to get penalty’ – Keith Hackett
After being asked by Football Insider what he made of the decision not to give a penalty to Potter’s side over that incident, Hackett said:
“I think that what you’ve got in Bowen generally is an honest player, to some degree he’s old-fashioned in his approach to the game.
“We are seeing those types of offences consistently go unpunished. This is a defender wrapping his arm around the attacker, restricting the player’s movement, slowing him down.
“Therefore a penalty kick should be the outcome. What he’s probably considered here is he’s moving away from the [goal] area.
“It doesn’t matter the direction, he’s inside the penalty area, for me an offence has taken place and I think West Ham are unlucky they’ve not got a penalty kick.
“But in fairness, you’re dealing with a player who doesn’t necessarily dive, he’ll just continue to play the game, and I think that’s helped the referee in terms of not a huge reaction from Bowen.”
Southampton would go on to net a stoppage time equaliser through Lesley Ugochukwu, ensuring they will not break Derby County’s record for the lowest points tally in a Premier League season.
West Ham are next in action on Saturday afternoon (26 April) when they travel to the AMEX Stadium to take on Brighton.