It was a match between two disjointed sides, two sides trying to carve out new identities following the drop into the Championship. West Ham won thanks to a bit of luck, a degree of resolve and, crucially, a sharpness in front of goal that took them away from Wolves and reduced the pressure on Nuno Espírito Santo, for a few days at least.
First-half goals from Divine Mukasa and Jarrod Bowen, from the penalty spot, were complemented by two more after the interval, as Mukasa secured his second alongside a goal for Konstantinos Mavropanos. The defender doubled up, too, albeit by scoring at his own end, as Wolves tried to claw their way back into contention, and the visitors could also claim a decent goal from Marshall Munetsi. For all their obvious technical ability, however, César Peixoto’s side lacked the hosts’ sang froid at the crucial moments and that proved the decisive factor.
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