Wolves 1-0 West Ham: Hammers lose again and remain in relegation zone

Wolves 1-0 West Ham: Hammers lose again and remain in the relegation zone as pressure increases on David Moyes with Daniel Podence’s strike the difference at Molineux

• Wolves beat West Ham 1-0 in a relegation six-pointer in the Premier League
• Daniel Podence’s goal after 48 minutes was enough to secure the three points
• The Hammers remain 18th and in the relegation zone after their third loss in four
• Pressure continues to increase on David Moyes amid his side’s poor run of form 

Wolves’ winner came from a West Ham corner and now David Moyes really is in one.

After seeing Julen Lopetegui’s side fly from back to front to score the game’s only goal, all Moyes can do is wait. Wait and see if that dreaded call comes. Wait and see if he is summoned to a meeting with co-owner David Sullivan. Wait and see if he is in charge for Everton next week.

Moyes walked towards the away end at full time, applauding the supporters who had made the 300-mile, six-hour round trip to Molineux. All he got in return were V-signs and a few remarks not suitable for publication after this seventh successive outing without a win.

Daniel Podence’s strike was enough for Wolves to claim victory against West Ham at Molineux

Pressure continues to increase on David Moyes’s side, who are still in the relegation zone

The downward spiral continues for West Ham, whereas for Wolves, they’re on the way up. Daniel Podence’s winner – a walloped finish to a counter-attack after West Ham’s corner at the other end – led to wild celebrations.

The supporters sang Lopetegui’s name. They feel safe in his hands, sensing he knows what is needed to steer Wolves clear of relegation.

There was no Craig Dawson for West Ham. Not because of injury. Nor illness. Dawson’s absence was owing to a bid from another club, and that club happened to be Wolves.

In contrast to Moyes, Wolves manager Julen Lopetegui heard fans sing his name at full time

West Ham defender Craig Dawson was left out the side due to being subject to a recent bid from Wolves

Moyes didn’t like the timing. He described it as ‘destabilising’ and in his mind, there was no way West Ham could use Dawson against the team that may soon sign him.

Was losing Dawson a blow? Yes and no. Yes, because he had started their last six Premier League games. No, because West Ham had lost five of those outings, drawing the other.

So in a strange way, an enforced change might not be the end of the world. It gave West Ham the chance to try something new, and that came in the form of Angelo Ogbonna and Nayef Aguerd in central defence.

It was over to them to stop Wolves’ new signing, Matheus Cunha from Atletico Madrid, who was making his home debut. Within minutes, the Brazil forward was ordering the fans to make more noise.

Ruben Neves controlled proceedings for the home side at Molineux on Saturday afternoon

With Wolves dominating the ball, and Ruben Neves pinging passes for fun, West Ham’s fans were frustrated. ‘Oh Said Benrahma,’ they sang about the man they wanted to see start. Instead the forward, the best of a poorly-performing bunch this season, was warming the bench.

West Ham came closest to opening the scoring before half time when Lucas Paqueta’s cross was headed on by Tomas Soucek. The ball fell to Coufal. He had a long time to think about where to place his shot. Perhaps too long, as his poor attempt was blocked by Hugo Bueno.

Wolves finished the first half as they started it – on top. Their only issue was the lack of clear-cut chances being created as Neves’s umpteenth attempt from distance was blocked.

West Ham fans chanted for the introduction of Said Benrahma, who was eventually brought on

Yet Wolves took the lead after 47 minutes – and it came from a West Ham corner.

Wolves scrambled clear from their own six-yard box and Nelson Semedo was away, breaking forward at speed. He passed to Matheus Nunes, whose cross was deflected by Aaron Cresswell.

Luckily for Nunes, the ball fell into the path of Podence. Coufal tried to get up to block but couldn’t. Podence blasted his shot beyond Lukasz Fabianski and it was 1-0.

Podence was mobbed by his team-mates at full time after scoring the winner in the match

The goal was his fifth of the season as Wolves continued their fine form since the break

‘Oh Said Benrahma,’ sang West Ham’s supporters. Again. This time Moyes listened. Soucek was replaced by Benrahma to cheers.

In the 75th minute, Wolves thought they had scored again. First, Neves’s curled attempt crashed off the underside of the crossbar. Then, Rayan Ait-Nouri’s rebound smacked the right-hand post. Then, Neves blasted over. The Wolves fans’ gasps got louder with each miss. Close, but no cigar.

Amid six minutes of stoppage time, Raul Jimenez scored but it was narrowly disallowed for offside. West Ham desperately went in search of a late leveller but it never came. Another defeat, and that could be that for Moyes.

MATCH FACTS 

Wolves: Sa, Semedo, Collins, Kilman, Bueno (Toti 83), Nunes, Neves, Moutinho (Traore 73), Hwang (Lemina 73), Cunha (Jimenez 64), Podence (Ait-Nouri 64)

Subs not used: Sarkic, Jonny, Hodge, Campbell

Manager: David Moyes 

West Ham: Fabianski, Coufal, Aguerd, Ogbonna, Cresswell, Rice, Soucek (Benrahma 60), Paqueta, Bowen, Fornals (Scamacca 76), Antonio

Subs not used: Randolph, Johnson, Zouma, Lanzini, Downes, Kehrer, Emerson

Manager: Julen Lopetegui

Referee: Simon Hooper 

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