Wolves faltered again as West Ham claimed a 2-1 victory in a match filled with emotion at the London Stadium. The visitors’ defensive woes from set pieces proved their undoing, allowing West Ham to capitalize and secure the points, despite an unconvincing overall display.
The Hammers remain in a precarious position, hovering nine points above the relegation zone but seven away from European contention. Their performance lacked inspiration, and while the victory offered a momentary reprieve, the underlying issues in their play persisted. The win was especially poignant as it came in the shadow of Michail Antonio’s absence following a severe car accident that left the striker with a broken leg. Antonio’s teammates honored him with pre-match tributes and special shirts, and his absence was deeply felt throughout the game.
The match started cautiously, with Wolves showing discipline in their defensive structure. Sitting in a low block, they limited West Ham’s opportunities during the first half. When a chance did arise, Rayan Aït-Nouri made a crucial block to deny Carlos Soler’s goalbound effort. For much of the opening period, neither side truly asserted themselves, though West Ham’s sporadic surges hinted at their attacking potential.
Wolves created a significant opportunity when Jørgen Strand Larsen set Matt Doherty free down the right flank. Doherty’s cross was met by João Gomes, who somehow failed to convert at the far post, epitomizing Wolves’ inability to capitalize on crucial moments. This miss would come back to haunt them.
After the break, West Ham began to find more rhythm. A debatable corner, won by Aaron Wan-Bissaka, shifted the momentum. Jarrod Bowen’s delivery from the resulting set piece found Tomas Soucek, who looped a header past Wolves goalkeeper Sam Johnstone. It was another example of Wolves’ struggles to defend set plays, their fifth such concession in as many games.
Wolves briefly rallied, with substitutions injecting some much-needed dynamism. The introductions of Jean-Ricner Bellegarde and Gonçalo Guedes caused West Ham problems, and there were heated penalty appeals when Guedes appeared to be pushed by Emerson Palmieri, who was already on a yellow card. Another penalty claim arose after Konstantinos Mavropanos clipped Bellegarde, but the referee remained unmoved.
Wolves found a moment of inspiration when Doherty smashed home Aït-Nouri’s cross to level the score. However, their joy was short-lived. West Ham responded almost immediately, exploiting more defensive fragility from their opponents. Bowen, demonstrating his quality, twisted past Guedes and delivered a sublime shot into the corner to restore the lead.
Bowen’s celebration was heartfelt, as he held aloft a shirt bearing Antonio’s name. It was a tribute to the absent striker, whose influence and leadership have been instrumental for West Ham over the years. The gesture resonated with the crowd, encapsulating the emotional weight of the evening.
Wolves had chances to equalize again, but luck and precision eluded them. Their efforts underscored a frustrating theme: the inability to convert promising moments into tangible results. Manager Gary O’Neil, while proud of his players’ commitment, acknowledged the growing pressure on his position. With Wolves entrenched in the bottom three and boasting the worst defensive record in the league, questions about his future loom large.
For West Ham, the victory offered temporary relief, though it masked deeper concerns about their style of play and consistency. The emotional boost of winning for Antonio was significant, but the team must address its broader shortcomings to climb higher in the table.
The evening ended in tension, with Mario Lemina clashing with Bowen after the final whistle, an incident that reflected the frustrations bubbling within the Wolves camp. The midfielder needed to be restrained by teammates and staff, further highlighting the strain on a side battling relegation.
As the dust settles, the focus for both teams will shift to their next challenges. For West Ham, it is an opportunity to build on this result. For Wolves, the clock is ticking to reverse their fortunes and restore confidence.
