Having suffered heavy away defeats to Brighton and Chelsea in their opening two league fixtures, Luton returned to the newly-revamped Kenilworth Road with a point to prove in their long-awaited first home match in the league.
The visit of in-form West Ham, however, promised to be another stern test of the Hatters’ top-flight credentials, and true to form, it was the visitors who edged a closely-fought opening 15 minutes, with Said Benrahma firing a sharp volley wide of the near post.
Roared on by the fervent home support, the Hatters gradually grew into the contest as the first half progressed, although clear-cut chances came at a premium, with both defences holding firm.
Despite a growing sense of confidence among the Luton players, it was West Ham who produced the all-important breakthrough eight minutes before the interval, as Lucas Paqueta brilliantly picked out Bowen at the back post, giving the winger the simple task of heading home from six yards to put the Hammers ahead.
The hosts emerged after the restart desperate to gain a foothold in the match, but it was West Ham who remained the more threatening of the two sides in the final third, with Emersen seeing a well-taken strike disallowed for a marginal offside.
Having tasted defeat just once in their last 11 home encounters, Luton refused to lose hope with time ticking into the final 20 minutes, however, a distinct lack of cutting edge in front of goal continued to prove problematic for the Hatters as West Ham closed in on victory.
Any hopes of a late equaliser were finally put to bed five minutes from time when Zouma rose highest in the six-yard box to head home from James Ward-Prowse’s delivery, securing a third consecutive league win for the Hammers in the process.
A stoppage-time consolation from Mads Juel Andersen gave the home fans something to cheer about late on, but it did little to alter the final result, as Rob Edwards’ side look to bounce back after the international break following a difficult introduction to the top flight.
Flashscore Man of the Match: Lucas Paqueta (West Ham)