Neil Lennon and Joe Cole hail 'talismanic' Jarrod Bowen's impact at West Ham - 'Best bit of business in 25 years'

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Jarrod Bowen was denied a goal that would have taken his tally for the Premier League season to eight in West Ham's 2-0 victory over Leicester. But the Hammers captain impressed once again in the comfortable victory that has left Leicester City still five points from safety. Beforehand, Bowen was labelled "one of the best bits of business" at West Ham in 25 years by TNT Sports expert Neil Lennon.

Bowen among 'best piece of business' in 25 years at West Ham - Lennon

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Jarrod Bowen is amongst the best signings at West Ham in a quarter of a century, according to TNT Sports expert Neil Lennon.

The Hammers captain scored the winning goal in last weekend's memorable 1-0 victory over Arsenal at the Emirates, and he was heavily involved again as his side made it back-to-back wins by beating Leicester 2-0 on Thursday night.

And Lennon, alongside Joe Cole live on TNT Sports, was full of praise for Bowen's influence at the London Stadium.

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"He just sets the example," former Celtic manager Lennon said. "I've never seen him not have an impact in a game at some stage. He's so direct, so fit, he keeps going, he's a really good finisher. I just love watching him play.

"I think he's been one of the best bits of business West Ham have done in 20, 25 years. He's like Joe [Cole] was here, that talismanic sort of figure, but he does it through quality, great attitude, determination.

"Let's not forget, he came from the Championship, so he's a hungry boy, and he's never lost that hunger, he's just got better and better."

Bowen strike ‘somehow found a way through’ as own goal doubles West Ham lead

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Cole added: "He loves this club, he's a hero at this club. If football stopped tomorrow, he'd be here at this club. He's the right man to captain this side and take this club into the next generation. He's been absolutely outstanding.

"The club are really, really lucky to have him here in his peak years. What he's done in the last four years, we know there's been sniffs from the Liverpools of this world, Arsenals, I'm sure they've been queuing up to get him."

Bowen's form has helped steer West Ham away from danger of relegation this season, and he was very nearly on the scoresheet again in the victory over Leicester. His 43rd-minute shot was deflected in off Jannik Vestergaard and given as an own goal by the defender.

"I'm doing my best. What defender wants an own goal? Four yards out, you've got to give it [to] me, haven't you?" Bowen, who returned from a foot fracture earlier this month, told TNT Sports.

"I'm feeling good. That was my third 90 minutes since coming back from injury, and when you're coming back from injury there's nothing that compares to a game. I've had some really good minutes, I feel in a really good place, I've scored a couple of goals - not tonight but hopefully by about 11 tonight they change their minds and give it to me! That's probably the only disappointing thing; as an attacker, you want the goals."

'You've got to give it to me, haven't you?' - Bowen on 'only disappointing thing' in West Ham win

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The focus will soon towards international football, with a welcome break for Premier League clubs after a busy period coming up in March. And Bowen has aspirations of making the cut for England under Thomas Tuchel.

"It's an exciting time, new manager's come in," he said. "There's not been an international camp since November, so it's been a long time. Sometimes that's a good thing to get a good base and play week in, week out. That's what I'm trying to do.

"Since I got the injury, it was just making sure I worked as hard as I possibly could to get back and then when I'm out there to do what I know I can do, and if that takes me to a national call-up it takes me to a national call-up. If not, I'll keep doing exactly what I'm doing and keep trying every single time. It's always there because playing for your country is an honour, but if it doesn't come it doesn't come, if it does, brilliant."

Highlights: West Ham ease past Leicester to seal back-to-back victories

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'Composed' Potter a 'perfect fit' for West Ham

While Bowen took the plaudits, it was another productive evening for Graham Potter, who recorded his third win as West Ham manager.

And Cole backed Julen Lopetegui's replacement to be a success with the Hammers.

"The more I look at him on the bench as a West Ham manager, I think it's the perfect fit," he said. "He's composed, he's measured; tactically, we've seen what he's done with Brighton and Swansea.

"He'll be a much better manager from his experience at Chelsea. What happened at Chelsea could've happened to any manager. That was carnage, what was going on there at the time.

"He's come out of there unscathed and [this is] the perfect job for him, young players to work with and players he knows.

"As long as the people buying the players allow the manager and his staff to have the final say on who comes through the door, you've got half a chance."

West Ham return to action with a home clash against Newcastle in the Premier League on Monday, March 10.

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