Add as preferred source on Google
Jarrod Bowen was not interested in reflecting on West Ham’s FA Cup fifth-round victory over Brentford.
Instead, he immediately looked to the future in his interview after the penalty shootout on Monday night.
The club captain, who scored the opening goal against Brentford, is not willing to settle for a quarter-final exit.
Bowen has now set an ambitious target for the Hammers to end a 20-year wait in the FA Cup.
We win it on pens 😎 Do you fancy us to beat Leeds and book a trip to Wembley?!
Credit: Getty Images/Ben STANSALL / AFP Jarrod Bowen wants to end West Ham’s 20-year FA Cup final wait
Having inspired West Ham’s Conference League success in 2023, Bowen is determined to win another trophy.
Ahead of the Hammers’ quarter-final match against Leeds, the winger already has his sights set on the final at Wembley.
That would end a 20-year wait since the East London club’s last FA Cup final – a penalty shootout defeat to Liverpool.
“It’s a special feeling,” Bowen said. “I go back to the QPR game where I don’t want to say our season started, but we knew that was the chance to really turn the season around and give us confidence and belief…
“It was important to put in a good performance. We knew it was going to be a difficult game. Every FA Cup game we’ve had has gone to extra time now, but we want to get to the final. We want silverware at this club.
“You can see it up there [on the stand] how many times they have won the FA Cup, and it is a dream of mine to win it.”
Nuno Espirito Santo’s side will now have to balance chasing silverware with avoiding relegation from the Premier League.
Who was West Ham’s BEST PLAYER against Brentford?! 🤔
Photo by Justin Setterfield/Getty Images Jarrod Bowen previews quarter-final clash with Leeds
Despite setting out his desire to make the final, Bowen realises that beating Leeds in the last eight will not be easy.
Daniel Farke’s side are in a similar position to the Hammers, where results in the league and cup hold equal importance.
“Leeds are a really good side and will want to do well in the FA Cup as well, but we saw what we did at home today against a Premier League side,” Bowen added.
Given that Brentford are a stronger team than Leeds, it would be very disappointing if West Ham were to lose in the next round.
Join Our Newsletter
Receive a digest of our best West Ham content each week direct to your mailbox