“We’re in trouble now”: Bowen goes on extraordinary rant as West Ham make worst start in 51 years after 2-1 Leeds defeat | OneFootball

West Ham United have set a new unwanted record after falling to a 2-1 defeat against newly promoted Leeds United at Elland Road.

The Hammers have endured an awful start to the season, and Nuno Espirito Santo’s arrival hasn’t helped their cause, with the Portuguese manager still waiting for his first win.

West Ham were pegged back early in the end-to-end contest against their Yorkshire counterparts.

With just three minutes on the clock, Nuno’s side were already on the back foot after Brenden Aaronson tucked home a rebound from close range.

Former Tottenham Hotspur centre-back Joe Rodon added to West Ham’s woes on the quarter-hour mark, heading home a pinpoint corner from Sean Longstaff.

West Ham created a few decent chances, but they couldn’t muster a response until the 90th minute when Mateus Fernandes glanced home a low cross from Jarrod Bowen.

West Ham rallied late on, but Fernandes’ first goal for the club wasn’t enough to spark the turnaround they needed to snatch a point.

The Hammers have now lost three consecutive Premier League games, having already set an unwanted record against Brentford. They’ve also stretched their winless run to six games (D1, L5).

The defeat against Leeds confirmed their joint-worst start to a top-flight campaign in 51 years after taking just four points from their opening nine games.

Speaking after the game, West Ham captain Bowen went on an extraordinary rant, calling on his teammates to “roll your sleeves up” and fight to reverse their fortunes.

“Not good enough,” Bowen said (via BBC). “We started well against Brentford the other day and wanted to do the same, but the way we defended the goal was really poor. We wanted to get back into it.

“From a corner again, it’s not brave enough. It always felt like one goal could get a bit of confidence. We did that, but it’s too late.

“The only way this will change is if we step up and show some fight. We need more of that. It’s easy to hide and be scared almost. It’s easier said and harder to do sometimes. Roll your sleeves up and dig in.

“No one will give this to us. We’re in a real situation, and we have to face the reality of that. You have to face up to the reality of where we are, and we’re in trouble now.”