Jarrod Bowen sends message to Lucas Paqueta after West Ham draw
West Ham star Jarrod Bowen shared a message to Lucas Paqueta on social media following the team’s 1-1 draw with Aston Villa.
Unai Emery’s side opened the scoring early at Villa Park on 26 January, with Jacob Ramsey finding the net in the eighth minute.
However, the Hammers equalised in the 70th minute when Emerson Palmieri headed home.
Paqueta, who played the full 90 minutes, took to Instagram after the game to express his thoughts. He said: “We deserved a better result, important point away from home, thank you all for your support! Recover and focus on the next challenge! Thank You Jesus!” (translated from Portuguese).
Bowen, currently sidelined after sustaining an injury against Liverpool in December, responded to the post with two emojis, including a heart, showing his solidarity with the team.
West Ham need Lucas Paqueta firing to turn their season around
The 27-year-old has recently been deployed in a surprising striker role under Graham Potter, showcasing his versatility during a tough campaign for the East London club.
Despite West Ham’s struggles, Paqueta has been a vital player this season. The Brazilian has started 19 league matches and made 25 appearances across all competitions, contributing five goals.
Against Aston Villa, Paqueta didn’t find the back of the net but delivered an impactful performance. He won nine ground duels, completed five tackles, and delivered two accurate long balls [Sofascore].
However, controversy surrounded him during the match, as former PGMOL chief Keith Hackett accused him of cheating.
Paqueta was fortunate to avoid punishment from the referee, which could have been costly for Potter’s side, especially with crucial fixtures against Chelsea and Brentford looming.
Football Insider Verdict
Bowen’s recent updates about his imminent return and the camaraderie among the squad can given fans a glimmer of hope.
Currently sitting in 14th place, West Ham will need players like Paqueta to maintain their form, as well as the return of key contributors like Bowen, to spark a much-needed resurgence in the latter half of the season.
In other news, West Ham’s deal for this striker may have hit a stumbling block.
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