Yahoo Movies West Ham ease to victory over Wolves and heap pressure on Bruno Lage
Scamacca with a stunning opener for the hosts
Bowen doubles lead for West Ham
Bruno Lage's side plummet into the relegation zone
It was only their second victory of the season and their first at home since the first week of April, but West Ham United dispatched a lacklustre Wolverhampton Wanderers with the minimum of fuss. Two goals did it and both involved unfortunate deflections off Wolves players, but there was nothing fortunate about where the three points landed.
With Declan Rice imperious, Jarrod Bowen looking like the Jarrod Bowen of last season and Thilo Kehrer rampant on the right, West Ham have finally hit their stride, although they will face more dangerous opponents than Wolves. “Our finishing was miles more clinical than it has been,” said David Moyes, the West Ham manager. “We were more at it, we had more resilience and more toughness.”
The visitors were booed off at the end by an away support yearning for attacking potency and confused by their most creative player, Ruben Neves, being deployed as a makeshift centre-half. A shapeless team who have just three Premier League goals to their name and a full treatment room, Wolves were the perfect visitors. Their problems run deep and head coach Bruno Lage’s position is in peril.
“Pressure? I’ve felt it since the first day I came here,” he sighed “If a new manager comes in, he’ll face the same problems. Today was hard to take: for the first 30 minutes we controlled everything. The first time they conquered the ball, they scored.”
Beginning October respectively third and fourth from the bottom of the Premier League was hardly how both teams envisaged this season taking shape. Two under-pressure helmsmen reacted in different ways. Moyes plumped for purge, demoting Vladimir Coufal, Pablo Fornals and Michail Antonio to the bench, allowing Craig Dawson and Maxwel Cornet to start a league game for the first time this season.
In contrast, Wolves head coach Lage’s only change from their trouncing by Manchester City last time out was enforced by Nathan Collins’s suspension. Neves’s centre-back role allowed Nelson Semedo to push forwards and new arrival Diego Costa was joined on the bench by eight substitutes without a league start between them this season. Wolves began with their danders up, but when West Ham did amble forwards, they almost scored. Kehrer – as he did for Germany in midweek, looking more at ease as right-back than centre-half – found Bowen with a cute through ball. He cut in and shot for goal.
Jose Sa spilled it and the returning Gianluca Scamacca seemed set to tap in until Jonny’s heroic last-ditch intervention. Wolves’s need for goals became more pressing still when West Ham eased ahead after Scamacca played Bowen through. Once again Bowen cut in. This time, Max Kilman stuck a foot in and the ball fell to Scamacca on the edge of the area. With one touch the Italy international controlled it. With a second he curled his first Premier League goal beyond Sa, albeit with the help of a deflection off Jonny.
Wolves already looked lost, although when a deflected cross fell to Rayan Ait-Nouri on the edge of the six-yard box, the defender unaccountably passed across the box to where nobody was lurking rather than take a shot himself. As in the first half, Wolves began the second half in unthreatening ascendency, but, other than Costa glowering from the bench as he sipped from his can of Red Bull, they lacked menace. West Ham were soon two ahead.
Kehrer lashed a drive towards goal. It cannoned off Kilman into the path of Bowen, who delightfully swivelled around Ait-Nouri before guiding his first goal of the season past Sa at the goalkeeper’s near post and West Ham had scored twice in a league game for the first time this season.
“Jarrod’s a really good player,” noted Moyes. “If he can get five or six goals before the World Cup, he’ll be very close to being on the plane.”
Minutes later, the England international was seen painfully having a dislocated finger popped back into place. When told of the visible detail of Bowen’s misplaced digit, Moyes quipped: “His feet have been doing that at times this season.”
Although Wolves’s ship had sailed, Costa was instantly introduced to a rousing chorus of boos. Pointing, gesticulating and seemingly breathing fire, Costa added devilment, but without competitive action since December rustiness was evident when he put a simple headed chance wide.
“We’re a different team with a striker,” insisted Lage. “I believe it can be Costa. I’m very happy with what he did.”
Attempting one last push, Lage chanced a double substitution. And Nunes’s withdrawal in particular was met with a “you don’t know what you’re doing” and “you’re getting sacked in the morning”.
West Ham 2 Wolverhampton Wanderers 0: As it happened
08:04 PM
John Aizlewood's report from the London Stadium
...is now above the line. Thanks for following along this afternoon in what was must needed victory for David Moyes's side.
07:48 PM
Wolverhampton Wanderers captain Ruben Neves speaks
On Sky Sports
We need to stop talking about performances. We always try to play our best to win but it is not enough. We need to make sure everyone goes on the same path.
It is time to look to ourselves. What we are doing in the Premier League is not enough. Having the ball is not enough. It is in our hands to work on it. We know our quality but in a league like this it is not enough. If you don’t train like you play you will not be able to win enough games at the weekend. The good thing is we still have time to change this.
I think everyone, including me can give a little bit more. We are not in good form so something needs to change. The people don’t deserve to see what we are doing at the moment.
It is not the manager’s responsibility it is everyone. We are the ones that can get the results. It is about us not anybody else. We struggled a bit in the beginning with a lot of new players a lot of players going out but no more excuses.
07:47 PM
West Ham goal scorer Gianluca Smaucca speaks
On Sky Sports
It was amazing. We needed to win. Today we worked very hard. We needed a victory. Today it was important to win. Keep going.
07:27 PM
FT: West Ham 2 Wolverhampton Wanderers 0
It was a comfortable win in the end for West Ham, who leapfrog Bruno Lage's side and climb out of the relegation zone.
Conversely, Bruno Lage's side continue to really struggle in front of goal and find themselves in 18th on just six points.
The Wolves manager was met with a “you don’t know what you’re doing” and “you’re getting sacked in the morning” by the increasingly restive away support.
07:25 PM
90+2 min: West Ham 2 Wolverhampton Wanderers 0
Jarrod Bowen finds Declan Rice, whose shot is blocked by Traore.
However, the game has gone really flat and empty in the London Stadium, as the fans know that this game is done.
07:23 PM
90 min: West Ham 2 Wolverhampton Wanderers 0
Just been confirmed, we'll play three added minutes of injury time as West Ham close in on their second victory of the season.
Wolves look down and out....
07:22 PM
88 min: West Ham 2 Wolverhampton Wanderers 0
Antonio runs down the left and cuts the back back for Emerson to hit, but it's too far ahead of his fellow substitute and Boubacar Traore easily cuts it out.
07:21 PM
86 min: West Ham 2 Wolverhampton Wanderers 0
It's so clear that Wolves are lacking firepower in attack and look very unlikely of mounting some kind of comeback at this late stage.
West Ham are doing everything they can to slow down the pace of the game and are well on their way of climbing out of the relegation zone.
07:19 PM
84 min: West Ham 2 Wolverhampton Wanderers 0
Aaron Cresswell catches Traore late and picks up a yellow card as a result.
You feel, West Ham are cruising to victory here without the want of trying.
07:16 PM
82 min: West Ham 2 Wolverhampton Wanderers 0
Antonio is really hassling the Wolves defence and he is doing everything he can to disrupt the visitors flow, challenging for every loose ball and charging at the back line to put Wolves under severe pressure.
07:14 PM
80 min: West Ham 2 Wolverhampton Wanderers 0
West Ham captain creates space for Antonio to run into and the substitute does so, cutting inside before a shot blocked by Neves.
07:12 PM
78: West Ham 2 Wolverhampton Wanderers 0
What a save!
As Emerson flicks forward for Antonio, who smashes the ball across goal, and a flick off Sa almost takes it into the Wolves net before he gathers
Moments before then, Diego Costa managed to keep the ball in the box before laying off to Campbell, whose floated cross to the back post is missed by everyone before bouncing wide of the back stick.
07:10 PM
76 min: West Ham 2 Wolverhampton Wanderers 0
Not pretty reading Wolves fans but your side have the lowest shot conversion rate of all Premier League sides so far this season at 3.7%.
07:08 PM
74 min: West Ham 2 Wolverhampton Wanderers 0
David Moyes is shutting shop here, as he opts for a more defensive shape as left-back Emerson replaces West Ham's playmaker.
07:07 PM
72 min: West Ham 2 Wolverhampton Wanderers 0
And ANOTHER chance for Diego Costa!
Diego Costa breaks the hosts line and cuts the ball square to Podence, who cleverly poked the ball into an empty net.
But the goal is quickly deemed offside.
07:05 PM
69 min: West Ham 2 Wolverhampton Wanderers 0
Diego Costa misses a MASSIVE chance!
That was just what the visitors needed to get back into this game at the London Stadium.
It was pinpoint cross from Semedo which landed directly onto Costa's head but the striker fires the header towards the goal , but it is narrowly wide.
He should have scored there!
07:03 PM
67 min: West Ham 2 Wolverhampton Wanderers 0
Excellent footwork from Fornals who usese close control to great enough space for an effort on goal, but the Spaniard's strike goes straight down the Wolves keeper.
07:01 PM
64 min: West Ham 2 Wolverhampton Wanderers 0
Scamacca heads over after firing the hosts ahead and gets a really warm reception from the home fans.
Antonio comes on to replace him.
06:59 PM
60 min: West Ham 2 Wolverhampton Wanderers 0
That is better from the visitors, as Adama Troure catches and Costa can't quite meet with his head!
Then Daniel Podence has a crack from the edge of the box, but it is saved by Lukasz Fabinanski
Bruno Lage's side are gaining momentum.
06:58 PM
57 min: West Ham 2 Wolverhampton Wanderers 0
It's needs must for Wolves and Bruno Lage looks to Diego Costa to rescue the match for his side.
It's his first Premier League appearance since 2017 for Chelsea against Sunderland, so 1, 960 days ago!
06:52 PM
54 min: West Ham 2 Wolverhampton Wanderers 0
GOAAAAALLLLLL
Bowen makes it two!
Kehrer's long shot ricochets off Kilmna and lands in Bowen in the area who dazzles Ait Nouri with a spinning shot, rifling his effort past Sa at the near
06:49 PM
51 min: West Ham 1 Wolverhampton Wanderers 0
Adam Traore goes close but West Ham half-clear Semedo's cross and he half-volleys just wide from 20 yards.
06:42 PM
49 min: West Ham 1 Wolverhampton Wanderers 0
Wolves have dominated the ball again from the start of the half but look at risk every time they lose the ball around West Ham's area.
06:40 PM
47 min: West Ham 1 Wolverhampton Wanderers 0
Remember Bruno Lage has Diego Costa on his bench this evening.
Will he be making an appearance?
06:36 PM
45 min: West Ham 1 Wolverhampton Wanderers 0
Back in action here in east London, as Guede kicks off the second half!
06:24 PM
HT: West Ham 1 Wolverhampton Wanderers 0
Scamacca's opener remains the difference at the break.
The visitors started the game well but West Ham soon found their rhythm and they go into the break with a one- nil advantage.
06:22 PM
45+2: West Ham 1 Wolverhampton Wanderers 0
Goal-scorer Scamacca shows his playmaking abilities to the home crowd with smart ball towards Bowen. who charges into the penalty box, only to see his block defended by Kilman
06:20 PM
45 min: West Ham 1 Wolverhampton Wanderers 0
Podence shows some real burst of pace and fires a strike from outside the penalty box.
But the shot is aimed directly at the West Ham goalkeeper, who is able to comfortably hold onto the effort
06:19 PM
43 min: West Ham 1 Wolverhampton Wanderers 0
A couple of injuries and changes so far in the game, so four minutes are to be added on.
06:18 PM
41 min: West Ham 1 Wolverhampton Wanderers 0
Paul Tierney is getting some stick from West Ham fans, as he does give a very questionable decision for a free-kick against Paqueta for a challenge that seemed very soft.
Definitely not the most popular man inside the London Stadium this evening.
06:16 PM
38 min: West Ham 1 Wolverhampton Wanderers 0
Wolves have recorded over 85% of possession over the last ten minutes played at the London Stadium, but the hosts arguably look the better side.
West Ham are much more dangerous of the two sides; Bruno Lage needs to work out quickly how to convert their possession into goal scoring opportunities at half time or I'm afraid to say this game will sadly slip away from them.
06:13 PM
36 min: West Ham 1 Wolverhampton Wanderers 0
It was a half chance as goal scorer Scamacca's cross comes in towards the back post and Soucek nods it down but Jarrod Bowen can't quite get onto the flick.
06:08 PM
34 min: West Ham 1 Wolverhampton Wanderers 0
Pabio Fornals is on for him, an enforced change as Cornet appears to have suffered an ankle injury.
06:07 PM
32 min: West Ham 1 Wolverhampton Wanderers 0
There is another stop in play as Cornet goes down holding his leg; possibly giving Fornals the opportunity to come and on and impress the manager.
06:04 PM
29 min: West Ham 1 Wolverhampton Wanderers 0
GOAAAALLLLLLL
Gianluca Scamacca opens his Premier League account with a brilliantly taken goal. He held the ball up and played into Bowen. The England forward cut inside and went to shoot but was tackled, it popped up to Scamucca, who took it so well on the volley, a slight nick off Jonny and in.
What a finish from the Italian and West Ham lead.
06:02 PM
24 min: West Ham 0 Wolverhampton Wanderers 0
Bowen has started well and sends Soucek down the right. But he overhits the cross which found Cornet, who met it on the volley but smashed it way, way over.
05:59 PM
21 min: West Ham 0 Wolverhampton Wanderers 0
Another Portuguese midfielder is booked for late foul on Bowen.
Finally Wolves decide to take off Neto due to an ankle injury and replace with Adama Traore on the right-side.
Moments before, Scamacca fired a horrendous free-kick effort into the stands.
05:56 PM
18 min: West Ham 0 Wolverhampton Wanderers 0
The game continues here and ten-man Wolves charge up the pitch thanks to some clever footwork from Nunes.
He wins a free-kick on the edge of the area, which the visitors fail to capitalise on.
05:54 PM
16 min: West Ham 0 Wolverhampton Wanderers 0
Worrying scenes for Bruno Lage as Neto takes to the floor holding his ankle.
This could be a major blow for Wolves so early in the contest at the London Stadium.
05:51 PM
14 min: West Ham 0 Wolverhampton Wanderers 0
That was close from the hosts, as Declan Rice sprays a pass out to Kehr, who finds Bowen. The England forward had to cut inside and it was spilled by Sa. Scamacca steers wide at the rebound but the forward should really do better from that distance.
05:50 PM
12 min: West Ham 0 Wolverhampton Wanderers 0
That was a brilliant counter move from West Ham and Jarrod Bowen is fouled on the half-way line by Neves, who receives the first card of the game.
05:45 PM
10 min: West Ham 0 Wolverhampton Wanderers 0
A first real half change for West Ham as Scamacca is able to cut inside and shoots wide after a Cornet flick on, however he is later flagged offside but it was a decent move from the Italian forward.
05:43 PM
8 min: West Ham 0 Wolverhampton Wanderers 0
In these early exchanges at the London Stadium, the visitors are threatening in the penalty box.
They are playing the ball with ease in a bid to probe through West Ham's defence and at times its working effectively; it's a bright start for Bruno Lage's side.
West Ham goalkeeper Fabianski is forced into action again at Jonny steps up from centre back to drill a shot on target, but Fabianski is able to quash the danger and make the save.
05:40 PM
6 min: West Ham 0 Wolverhampton Wanderers 0
A great play from Nunes, as he is able to skip past Kehrer in the penalty area and has excellent chance against Fabianski, but the new signing slashes his foot at the ball and it unfortunately cannons towards the corner flag.
In all honesty, it's poor attacking followed by poor defending.
05:38 PM
4 min: West Ham 0 Wolverhampton Wanderers 0
That was sloppy play from the West Ham captain as Podence forces a save from Fabianski from distance after some poor control from Declan Rice in midfield.
05:36 PM
2 min: West Ham 0 Wolverhampton Wanderers 0
Bowen makes a fast start for the hosts and appeals to Paul Tierney for a free kick on the edge of the area, but the referee waves play on,
Jonny has slotted in at centre half alongside Kilman in a conventional back four, which answers the question of how Bruno Lage planned to start today.
05:32 PM
Kick-off
Away we go here, West Ham starting on the front foot.
05:30 PM
The teams are out
Just minutes to go here until kick off as Declan Rice and Ruben Neves lead out the two sides.
05:29 PM
"Once the players bed in, West Ham will pick up points'
Jamie Redknapp speaking on Sky Sports isn't surprised by West Ham's slow start to the season but feels the London club will be fine once their new signing settle in.
05:24 PM
Bruno Lage on Diego Costa
That was a big question – my team is completely different with a striker in the team. He’s been training really good for two weeks. But not only that, the way the people around him, the wingers, can play with his influence in the team.
05:07 PM
Pre-match stats via Opta
West Ham have won three of their last four Premier League games against Wolves (L1), having won just two of their first eight against them in the competition before this (D1 L5).
Wolves have kept a clean sheet in five of their last eight Premier League games against West Ham, though they have lost each time they’ve conceded in this run.
West Ham are winless in their last six Premier League home games (D3 L3), last having a longer run between August 2002 and January 2003 (12 games).
Wolves are without a win on the road in the Premier League in each of their last seven games (D2 L5); they haven’t gone eight such games without a victory since August 2018 (D3 L5), with seven of those games taking place in 2011-12. However, that run was ended with a 1-0 win over West Ham.
04:46 PM
Team news explained
Diego Costa was among the Wolves substitutes. The former Chelsea striker signed for Wanderers earlier in September having left Brazilian side Atletico Mineiro in January.
Summer signings Maxwel Cornet and Gianluca Scamacca were handed starts in attack for West Ham.
04:40 PM
Wolves starting XI
Sa, Semedo, Jonny, Kilman, Ait-Nouri, Neves, Nunes, Moutinho, Neto, Podence, Guedes.
04:40 PM
West Ham starting XI
Fabianski; Dawson, Kehrer, Zouma, Cresswell; Soucek, Rice; Bowen, Paquetá, Cornet; Scamacca
04:36 PM
Team news...
...details from the London Stadium coming up!
01:58 PM
Good afternoon
Seventeenth meets 18th in this evening's Premier League contest at the London Stadium, as West Ham United host fellow strugglers Wolverhampton Wanderers.
David Moyes's side occupy a spot in the regelation zone at present, while their visitors are only one place and two points better off.
Claiming back-back to wins in the Europa Conference League is all well and good but West Ham's success on the continent did not translate into improved domestic fortunes when they travelled to face Everton just before the international break.
West Ham have really struggled in front of goal continued as Neal Maupay struck the only goal of the game in a 1-0 victory for Everton and West Ham's next few games could supposedly make or break David Moyes' s tenure in the hotseat.
A tally of just two defeats from their last seven outings, in all competitions may look good on paper, but football matches are not played on paper, and West Ham now set out to end a six-game winless streak at the London Stadium in the the Premier League- not since 2003 have they endured a longer such run.
In order to do so, the hosts will likely have to achieve something that they are yet to do in the Premier League this season-score in the first half- as Wolves' attacking prowess following the half-time interval has been virtually non-existent this season.
Wolves are dangling just above the dotted line in 17th place and travel to the London Stadium still waiting for their first away win of the new Premier League season.
Bruno Lage can be slightly encouraged by the fact that his side boast the joint-best defensive record on the road so far, being one of the five teams to have conceded just three goals in away matches but the visitors have a gone a miserable seven Premier League away games without a win since prevailing at Everton in March.
A goal from Tomas Soucek was enough to hand West Ham a 1-0 victory over Wolves in this fixture last season- a third triumph from their last four league game against Lage's side- and Moyes is seemingly fighting for three points and his job in tonight's game.
Ahead of kick-off at 5.30pm, we'll be bringing you team news, live updates, and latest reaction after the match too.
