Wolves took another step towards safety with a hard-fought victory over West Ham, moving 12 points clear of the relegation zone. A solitary goal from Jørgen Strand Larsen proved to be the difference as Wolves held on to secure three valuable points. Head coach Vítor Pereira, clearly delighted with the result, celebrated fervently with his players and fans, demanding more noise from the stands during injury time to see the team over the line.
The victory was especially significant for Wolves as it further distanced them from their relegation rivals. Ipswich and Leicester, who both have a game in hand, will be level on matches after their upcoming fixtures, but Wolves have managed to build a crucial buffer. Pereira’s side now faces Ipswich on Saturday in a match that could practically end any lingering concerns about relegation, though the head coach will be banned from the touchline for that game.
Wolves were not without their nervous moments, especially in the final stages of the match. Despite their dominance before the break, they were left to hang on after Niclas Füllkrug hit the bar and Tomas Soucek missed a golden opportunity to equalize, firing wide when Toti Gomes inadvertently presented him with a perfect chance. The tension in the stadium was palpable, but the final whistle brought a massive sense of relief, with Pereira and his players celebrating a crucial win.
“This is a fantastic feeling,” said Pereira after the match. “I am a very simple guy, I like to be with them [the fans], I like to feel part of the family. Feeling the happiness of the supporters is, for me, the most important thing. Football is not all about tactics, it is about connection and team spirit.” The manager expressed pride in the unity of the team, who are now reaping the rewards of their collective effort.
West Ham, on the other hand, never really got going. Their best chance came in the first half when Evan Ferguson, making his first start for the club, failed to capitalize on a great assist from Jarrod Bowen. The winger’s cross into the box found Ferguson, but the Irish striker struggled to control the ball and the opportunity was squandered.
The only goal of the match arrived in the 35th minute, and it came in a somewhat unfortunate manner for West Ham. Strand Larsen found space on the edge of the box and unleashed a shot that deflected off Maximilian Kilman, now a West Ham player, and into the net. The goal left Kilman with a sinking feeling, having been involved in a controversial VAR incident during this fixture last season, when he thought he had scored a late equalizer only to see it ruled out.
Before the goal, Wolves had been the better team, controlling possession and dictating the pace of the game. The Brazilian midfield duo of André and João Gomes, the latter of whom recently signed a new five-year contract, were key in securing the advantage. Their excellent performances helped cover for the suspended Matheus Cunha, as Wolves won all three games in which Cunha has been absent.
Wolves had a chance to extend their lead early in the second half when Gomes surged forward and set up Strand Larsen, whose pass found Marshall Munetsi. Munetsi fired a shot from the penalty spot, but his attempt struck the crossbar. Wolves’ dominance continued as they grew in confidence, though the match became increasingly scrappy, with a number of fouls and confrontations breaking out on the pitch.
Graham Potter made a triple substitution at half-time in an effort to turn the tide for West Ham, and while they gained a greater foothold in the match, they never managed to break down Wolves’ defense. The Hammers thought they had a strong penalty claim when Matt Doherty kicked Füllkrug in the face, but referee Tony Harrington was unmoved, instead booking the striker for his protests.
Despite the nerves in the final moments, Wolves held firm, and the 1-0 win was fully deserved. Pereira and his players will savor the victory, knowing they are now in a much stronger position to secure their Premier League status for another season.
