Bowyer's bow makes point

There were the predicted demonstrations of outrage and disgust that generated scuffles outside the ground before Lee Bowyer's debut for West Ham yesterday but precious few glimpses of incisive skill on the pitch to explain why a player who has had brushes with the law and has been associated with violent incidents that had racist overtones has been parachuted into a club that sits in an area of London with a large Asian and black community.

Given that the Hammers have worked hard on relations with the local population, it was an unlikely signing, even if Bowyer was a boyhood fan of the club. The bottom line was pretty much that. West Ham were bottom of the Premiership going into the match against Newcastle United and Bowyer was relatively cheap after falling out with Leeds United close to the end of his contract. By 5pm, perhaps a few of the doubters might have been swayed as West Ham, although still with a home win in the league this season, managed to draw 2-2 and crawl out of last place. Those who believe West Ham have thrown away their principles will not have been.

Glenn Roeder, the man who signed Bowyer, was bound to want to play down any suggestion that the signing was controversial and had upset some fans and local residents. "I heard that a few people demonstrated before the game, but the majority of people got behind Lee," the West Ham manager said. "I just hope in the course of time that those people are able to come back into the ground and watch us play with Lee Bowyer in the team. Lee got stronger and stronger today – and when he gets to know West Ham and we get to know him he will be a great asset to us."

Bowyer was not really match fit, but his arrival had given the West Ham players a lift. Optimism was high, and it even survived Craig Bellamy's attempt to puncture it with a goal after nine minutes. Joe Cole showed his determination that the Hammers would not be beaten by equalising only five minutes later, and just before half-time Jermain Defoe produced a superb strike to put West Ham ahead. They kept that advantage until nine minutes from time when Jermaine Jenas pounced a loose ball outside the penalty to hammer Newcastle's equaliser into the top corner.

No home win again for West Ham, but at least they moved up the table at the expense of West Bromwich Albion, who must have had the fleeting impression that they would beat Manchester United at The Hawthorns. United contributed to West Bromwich taking the lead after six minutes with Rio Ferdinand clearing poorly and Fabien Barthez failing to cope with Jason Koumas's shot. No matter. Ruud van Nistelrooy quickly equalised and then combined with Roy Keane to allow Paul Scholes to put United ahead. Ole Gunnar Solskjaer added a third and United were only two points off the top and West Bromwich a point adrift at the bottom.

Chelsea went one better than United by scoring four at home to Charlton Athletic, who arrived at Stamford Bridge with the best defensive away record in the Premiership team. Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink started the 4-1 rout with an early penalty, William Gallas added the second and Eidur Gudjohnsen made it 3-0 before Jason Euell pulled one back from the penalty spot. Charlton at least restored a semblance of order after the break conceding only Graeme Le Saux's speculative shot.