West Ham secured their seventh win in nine matches with a 3-0 victory over Wolves, thanks to a first-half brace from Mohammed Kudus. The recent thrashing at Fulham was an anomaly as Kudus’ performance once again proved the team’s strength.
The summer recruit scored against Freiburg on Thursday, helping David Moyes’ team top their Europa League group. Kudus’ third and fourth goals in his last five matches set West Ham on their way. Wolves attacker Pablo Sarabia had an effort ruled out for offside by VAR Jarred Gillett. But the hosts deserved their victory, with Jarrod Bowen rounding off the scoring 16 minutes from time.
Moyes made minimal changes from their midweek win, while the visitors were without number one goalkeeper Jose Sa due to a shoulder injury. Back-up goalkeeper Dan Bentley was thrust into action. Matheus Cunha tested Hammers keeper Lukas Fabianski with a snapshot in the 12th minute, but it was West Ham doing most of the pressing.
Wolves ventured forward to force their first corner after 22 minutes, but it contributed towards West Ham’s opener. After Craig Dawson’s flick-on was cleared, Paqueta found Kudus, who carried the ball before he cut inside and rifled home with his left foot from 25 yards. Kudus’ second goal came just 10 minutes later.
Wolves had been punished for losing their shape twice before a frantic period ahead of half-time saw Bowen’s low strike hit a post and a flurry of cautions handed out. O’Neil received a yellow card himself, not long after West Ham full-back Vladimir Coufal escaped punishment for catching Bellegarde with his arm, to compound a miserable first 45 minutes for the away side.
The visitors’ intent after the break was much improved, and they thought they had reduced the deficit in the 58th minute when Sarabia tapped home. Yet a three-minute VAR check deemed Sarabia had been marginally offside from Nelson Semedo’s cross.
It denied Wolves a superb team goal, and while they regrouped admirably, West Ham hit them with a sucker-punch in the 74th minute. Bowen exchanged passes with Paqueta and put on the afterburners to speed past Dawson before tucking his finish into the corner for his 10th goal of the season.
Overall, it was a well-deserved victory for West Ham in front of their home fans, showcasing their strength and determination as they continue their impressive run of form.