Julen Lopetegui came out on top in the battle of the under-pressure managers as West Ham beat Wolves 2-1 at the London Stadium.
Tomas Soucek and Jarrod Bowen were on target in the second half either side of Matt Doherty’s strike to hand the Hammers a huge boost – and plunge Wolves boss Gary O’Neil into huge trouble.
The defeat leaves Wolves four points adrift of safety in 19th, with the Irons now nine points clear of the drop zone.
Both managers went into the game, dubbed ‘El Sackico’ under huge pressure and that appeared to spread onto the pitch during a tetchy opening that lacked quality.
The only moment of note came ni the ninth minute when fans showed their support for injured striker Michail Antonio, who remains in hospital after being involved in a car crash on Saturday.
But both could easily have gone in at half-time in front after two huge chances for both sides in the final 10 minutes before the break.
The first came the way of the away side, with Toti Gomes somehow missing the target after two brilliant passes from Jorgen Strand Larsen and Matt Doherty.
It was then the Hammers’ turn to miss a gilt-etched chance, with defender Kostas Mavropanos unable to keep his shot down after former Wolves captain Max Kilman had headed a corner back across goal.
The hosts went ahead shortly after the break through a familiar source – Soucek from a corner.
The Czech midfielder made their 10th corner of the game count as he scored his fourth goal of the season after heading Jarrod Bowen’s kick back across goal and over Gomes at the far corner.
Tomáš Souček with a HUGE goal for West Ham! ⚔️ pic.twitter.com/cyyIWkAs1q
— Sky Sports Premier League (@SkySportsPL) December 9, 2024
Mohammed Kudus thought he had doubled West Ham’s lead after finishing off Bowen’s ball across from the left but a lengthy VAR check deemed the goal to be offside, handing a lifeline to Wolves and O’Neil.
Wolves were left furious at the denial of a penalty with just over 20 minutes remaining after Emerson tripped Goncalo Guedes inside the box, but nothing was given after another VAR check.
But it did not matter as Doherty scored a huge goal, finding the net with a fine left-footed finish after Rayan Ait-Nouri’s delivery.
Matt Doherty puts Wolves BACK into the mix! 🐺🔥 pic.twitter.com/Pe58XxTWhE
— Sky Sports Premier League (@SkySportsPL) December 9, 2024
But O’Neil’s reprieve was all too short-lived as, with Wolves virtually only just finishing their celebration, Bowen opened his body and found the corner for a huge goal.
West Ham are back in front again!
Jarrod Bowen with a touch of class 😮💨 pic.twitter.com/mr7ZAYmGiV
— Sky Sports Premier League (@SkySportsPL) December 9, 2024
Wolves were denied two more penalties before West Ham had the ball in the net again, only for another Kudus effort to be chalked off.
