West Ham 2 – 1 Wolves

Jarrod Bowen and Tomas Soucek scored to assist West Ham and Julen Lopetegui to a well-deserved 2-1 win over Wolves in what had been billed as a must-win recreation for the Hammers boss – and on the similar time, placing the strain on Gary. O’Neil.

On an evening of drama, pressure and controversy, West Ham skipper Bowen emerged because the hero on the finish of a wild 18-minute second half which noticed three objectives scored – with Matt Doherty equalizing for Wolves both facet of two West Ham objectives. – and two large VAR calls made. The sport additionally noticed two different strikes overturned and two Wolves penalty appeals turned down by officers.

The stakes had been saved in perspective all through the night time by demonstrations of assist for Hammers quantity 9 Michail Antonio, who underwent surgical procedure on Saturday after a automobile accident, however in footballing phrases it seems to have been a big success for Lopetegui, whose work seemed to be on-line.

It's additionally a harmful defeat for Wolves head coach O'Neil, who’s underneath strain himself, together with his facet nonetheless languishing second within the desk and 4 factors from security. He can level to a number of key choices that value him and his crew dearly.

O'Neil can cite a protracted listing of controversial calls which have gone in opposition to him throughout his tenure and there was one other on Monday night time, with West Ham's Aaron Wan-Bissaka slightly than Wolves' Toti showing to get the touchline closing on the ball earlier than the match. A nook was awarded from which Soucek, unmarked, launched his header.

VAR got here to Wolves' rescue when Mohammed Kudus thought he had tapped however was clearly offside – and the striker noticed one other effort canceled out in related circumstances within the closing minutes. However the visiting teaching crew had been left aggrieved when Stockley Park officers did not suggest an on-field evaluate when Emerson threw Goncalo Guedes to the bottom as he rushed into the West Ham field.

Wolves had been stage seconds later, with Doherty heading in Rayan Ait-Nouri's low cross. Nonetheless, his celebrations for his first purpose in a 12 months had been short-lived, with Bowen virtually immediately placing the Hammers again in entrance with a trademark twisting run. and low end.

He held up an Antonio shirt throughout his celebration and West Ham supporters chanted the lacking striker's title as their crew lastly secured an essential victory which they hope shall be a launching pad. They’re now 9 factors above the drop zone.

Wolves may level to a possible Kostas Mavropanos foul on Santiago Bueno earlier within the transfer for that Bowen purpose, whereas one other VAR name was made in opposition to Wolves late on, with Mavropanos allowed to convey down Jean-Ricner Bellegarde within the floor by stepping on his foot. .

Joao Gomes missed a superb likelihood within the first half to place them in entrance, however their frail protection was uncovered once more, with Mavropanos lacking his personal opener in that first 45 earlier than the injury was carried out after the break. The complete-time whistle noticed captains Bowen and Mario Lemina go head-to-head, with Lemina later pushing his personal teammates and training employees on the finish of a high-pressure night.

Lopetegui: We dedicate this victory to Antonio

Western Ham chief Julen Lopetegui:

“We’re comfortable, we dedicate the victory to Michail and his household. It has been laborious these final days – the final week – the final days particularly. He deserves it. We love Michail very a lot, he’s a particular individual for us .I’m positive he’ll overcome this dangerous second and are available again. Immediately the perfect factor we are able to do is convey him victory.

“We didn't begin the primary half nicely. We scored a purpose from a set piece, all the time essential. The crew confirmed character and good mentality. [after the equaliser]. Having this type of mentality will assist us rating extra factors.

“We deserved to win, we had plenty of probabilities, plenty of corners. We overcame a foul second.”

O'Neil: Easy choices went in opposition to us

Wolves chief Gary O'Neil:

“We gave ourselves an opportunity to get one thing out of the sport. You’ll be able to see the blokes are nonetheless 100% dedicated and able to struggle and provides it their all. We most likely dominated the sport with good probabilities and good instances. After which we let ourselves go by dropping our marking in a nook, which apparently wasn't a nook, I heard it got here out final from Wan-Bissaka.

“We couldn't discover a technique to flip the scenario in our favor right now. However some choices additionally went in opposition to us in a giant recreation. Massive moments. Some choices that appeared fairly easy labored in opposition to us .”

On Mavropanos' problem on Bueno earlier than Bowen's purpose: “It's a blatant foul on Santi Bueno and there's no likelihood it's a distinction part. The ball continues to be in the identical space. They may discover causes, and naturally they may, and I perceive that there shall be grey areas and the wording of the rule will be interpreted in several methods Nevertheless it was a blatant foul on Bueno within the seconds main as much as the purpose.

“What do you imply it’s not a foul?!” – Carragher on key choices for West Ham objectives

Sky Sports activities' Jamie Carragher on Soucek's purpose:

“It's not a nook, however you’ll be able to't criticize the officers there. You're speaking about issues going in opposition to you – that's coming from Wan-Bissaka. Wolves have to defend the free-kick higher.”

On Bowen's purpose:

“For me, Mavropanos jumps for the ball and he fouls the defender on the bottom. He doesn't react an excessive amount of and Bowen scores shortly after.

“He jumps for the ball, he tries to catch it and he simply jumps on the defender's again. What do you imply it's not a foul?!”

Historical past of the match in statistics

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