Curbishley hails Bowyer

West Ham United manager Alan Curbishley has saluted Lee Bowyer after his goal against Wigan Athletic.



Bowyer's first West Ham strike in 35 games rescued his team with an equaliser on Saturday after Austrian Paul Scharner had put Wigan in front at Upton Park.

There were just 12 minutes left when Scharner struck with an acrobatic overhead kick to give Wigan the lead - right against the run of play.

But then came substitute Bowyer's strike just two minutes later and Curbishley said: "Lee has been desperate for a goal. He did everything right to get in there earlier when Luis (Boa Morte) broke through and he just missed out but I was delighted for him when it finally happened."

as sub

He added: "Lee has been great here. He had an injury last season which set him back but when I put him on as sub I knew exactly what I would get from him."

Bowyer, originally on loan at West Ham before joining them permanently from Newcastle United last season, said: "The manager sent me on and said to just keep plugging away and the ball will drop for you. We wasted a couple of chances in the first half and had to fight back but spirit did it for us. We didn't just lie down and accept defeat and we deserved to get a point."