Wolves End Winless Run With Ruthless First-half Display Against West Ham
Wolverhampton Wanderers finally tasted Premier League victory this season after a devastating first-half performance swept aside West Ham United 3-0 at Molineux, easing pressure on Rob Edwards while deepening the crisis facing Nuno Espirito Santo.
Wolverhampton Wanderers brought an end to their long wait for a Premier League win with a commanding 3-0 triumph over West Ham United in a relegation six-pointer at Molineux on Saturday evening.
The hosts wasted no time in asserting themselves, striking inside four minutes through Jhon Arias. A sharp move down the right saw Hee Chan Hwang burst past his marker before squaring the ball for Arias, who stretched to convert from close range for his first goal in English football.
Wolves continued to press with confidence and were rewarded midway through the first half when referee Peter Bankes pointed to the spot after Mateus Mane was clipped inside the area. Hwang stepped up and calmly rolled the penalty down the middle to double the advantage, giving the home fans renewed belief after months of frustration.
The contest was effectively settled before the interval as 18 year old Mateus Mane crowned a memorable night by scoring his first senior goal for the club. A quick throw in caught West Ham napping and Mane showed composure beyond his years, firing into the corner to make it 3-0 and send Molineux into celebration.
West Ham attempted to respond after the break, but their efforts lacked conviction and cutting edge. Despite enjoying more possession, the visitors failed to seriously trouble Jose Sa, with Wolves remaining organised and disciplined at the back.
French goalkeeper Alphonse Areola prevented the scoreline from becoming more damaging with a string of fine saves, while Wolves continued to look dangerous on the counter through Mane and Arokodare.
The final whistle confirmed a much needed win for Wolves, who showed clinical finishing by scoring three times from an expected goals tally of just 1.52. West Ham, meanwhile, managed a paltry 0.25 xG and left the Midlands with more questions than answers as pressure continues to mount on Nuno Espirito Santo.
Wolves now turn their attention to an away trip to Everton on January 7, while West Ham will look to regroup when they host Nottingham Forest the day before.
