The day the prodigal kept his head down

Controversial signing has an uncharacteristically anonymous debut. By Jason Burt at Upton Park

The moment came just five minutes in. The ball was there, maybe 60/40 against him, but the kind of challenge Lee Bowyer relishes. The kind of tackle on which he has earned his reputation and his (on-the-field) notoriety. This time, however, he pulled out and allowed Newcastle's Clarence Acuña the ball.

Maybe, just maybe, he thought about what the headlines would say. Another yellow card, another accusation of thuggery. Maybe, even on his debut, it was a time to keep his head down for once.

The moment was almost as startling as the justification for Bowyer signing for West Ham in the first place – the claim that he was coming home to the club he loves. It was a line recycled again before kick-off by the stadium announcer, Jeremy Nicholas. "At number five is lifelong West Ham fan Lee Bowyer," he said. "Good luck, Lee." That number five shirt – which he was pictured holding for the cover of the match programme – sandwiched him in the West Ham pantheon between the number four worn by his professed Upton Park hero, Billy Bonds, and the number six of Bobby Moore. He has some way to go before he earns the same respect, despite being touted in the morning tabloids by David O'Leary, his former manager and the man who also labelled him a liar, as a future captain.

At 2.59pm, it was to the stand named in honour of the late England captain that Bowyer ran out, past a phalanx of press photographers and the sign that claims West Ham is "The Academy of Football" on to the turf for the start of the match. He went straight to the goal and volleyed the ball right-footed into it. It must have been a relief.

Although the warm-up had been subdued, this time the West Ham crowd gave him the reception he undoubtedly craved. Talk of protest banners, yellow cards, season tickets being returned was silenced.

After all, they are used to the return of the odd prodigal son – even the odd villain – in these parts. Upton Park is just a training run away from the McDonald's restaurant on the Isle of Dogs where Bowyer, seven years ago, showed the first youthful flashes of the temper that has made him untouchable for many in football.

His signing may have raised fears of polarising the community but it galvanised his team-mates. Bowyer himself was a peripheral figure at times, stationed on the right of midfield and often neglected.

He did not make a single tackle in the first half, had two half-hearted shots at goal, struck three corners and made two headers. That was it, apart from one mouthful directed at an assistant referee. Well, not everything can change.

Four minutes into the second half his chance of glory came but he struck his shot straight at Shay Given. Sixty seconds later and Joe Cole was unable to find him with the goal beckoning. Cole shot wide instead. Thereafter Bowyer faded and began to drift further and further infield. It was not until the 70th minute that he committed a foul, a harmless clip of an opponent's heels.

He was clearly not fully fit after missing Leeds United's last five games with an Achilles injury. It meant his final appearance for them was that infamous night in which he stamped on the head of a Malaga defender. Funny how much it hurts standing on someone else.

For the final 10 minutes he was moved into the central midfield place he craves, just as Newcastle United got the equalising goal they deserved. It was a time to dig deep, a time for the kind of performance that Glenn Roeder clearly feels Bowyer can give his fragile, young side.

There was one saving tackle on Craig Bellamy, one surging run that released Jermain Defoe and one overly ambitious shot. But, that apart, his finest form did not come.

At the end he wearily felt for his ankle as he acknowledged the muted applause of the crowd. He was the last player to leave the pitch.

It was a draw which means that although his team are off the bottom of the table for now, at least, we await judgement on Lee David Bowyer's move to West Ham.