Try GOLD - Free

Bowen the only plus as West Ham limp to line

The Guardian

|

May 05, 2025

West Ham have played leading roles in plenty of awful games down the years but surely none have been quite this pointless or downright insulting to the paying public.

- Jacob Steinberg

Bowen the only plus as West Ham limp to line

At least there was an excuse for Tottenham, whose season rests on them holding their nerve in the Arctic Circle this week. There is no equivalent silver lining for West Ham. They are limping towards the finish line and the only takeaway from this performance is that only a major overhaul of a stale, demotivated squad will help them avoid further turmoil next season.

There has been no uplift since Graham Potter, whose side look likely to finish 17th after they missed a chance to overtake Spurs and extended their winless run to eight games, replaced Julen Lopetegui in January. West Ham have taken 14 points from 15 games under Potter and they approached this meeting with Ange Postecoglou's B Team with a staggering lack of enthusiasm. Jarrod Bowen and Aaron Wan-Bissaka were the only players to emerge with any real credit. A passionless 1-1 draw, secured when Wan-Bissaka sent Bowen through to cancel out Wilson Odobert's early goal, was met with deserved boos at a bored London Stadium.

MORE STORIES FROM The Guardian

The Guardian

England in for reshuffle with Roebuck and Steward out

Injuries to Tom Roebuck and Freddie Steward look likely to trigger an eye-catching reshuffle in England's backline for the Test against Fiji on Saturday.

time to read

2 mins

November 05, 2025

The Guardian

The Guardian

Divisive legacy A key player in making case for 'war on terror'

Dick Cheney came to be seen as a moderate in his later years for his staunch opposition to Donald Trump, but he also stands accused of paving the way for Trumpism by undermining the independence of intelligence agencies and US adherence to international law.

time to read

3 mins

November 05, 2025

The Guardian

Johnson scores but sees red as four-star Spurs dispatch Copenhagen

It was the moment when the Tottenham home crowd could forget about their recent frustrations and lose themselves in the joy of it all; the glorious release.

time to read

3 mins

November 05, 2025

The Guardian

Reeves could cut green levies from energy bills

Rachel Reeves is considering slashing funding aimed at making homes more energy efficient to pay for a reduction in energy bills, sources have told the Guardian, as the chancellor looks for ways to ease the cost of living in this month's budget.

time to read

3 mins

November 05, 2025

The Guardian

LIV or LXXII? Players force Saudi Tour into 72-hole switch

LIV Golf has backtracked on one of its founding principles by announcing tournaments in the fourth season of the Saudi Arabian-backed league will be played over 72 holes.

time to read

1 mins

November 05, 2025

The Guardian

He may have been estranged from his party, but Republican paved the way for Trump

He was the embodiment of America-first ideals before Donald Trump and his Maga movement hijacked the phrase.

time to read

2 mins

November 05, 2025

The Guardian

The Guardian

Theatre review Harewood captivates in starry classic that offers beauty without depth

David Harewood was the first Black actor to play Othello at the National Theatre in London almost 30 years ago.

time to read

2 mins

November 05, 2025

The Guardian

The Guardian

Mac Allister lights up Liverpool as sorry Real finish a distant second

Ultimately it was not about who was back at Anfield but what was back.

time to read

3 mins

November 05, 2025

The Guardian

Art of the possible Residents run show at local gallery

I used to see this place on the street but I didn't know what was here - I didn't even know it was an art gallery,\" says Felix, a 20-year-old nursing student.

time to read

2 mins

November 05, 2025

The Guardian

The Guardian

Reduce exams and boost life skills - school review

The review of England's curriculum has recommended reducing the amount of content and emphasis on exams and instead focusing more on life skills and “enrichment”.

time to read

3 mins

November 05, 2025

Listen

Translate

Share

-
+

Change font size