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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.
With West Ham’s current uncertainty extending beyond the field of play there was much interest taken from the appearance of Amanda Staveley in the stands. The former Newcastle shareholder remains in the running to acquire a stake at West Ham and was to be seen punching the air at Mukasa’s first-half banger. The Manchester City loanee was not the only new recruit to impress, with Arne Engels playing well alongside him in midfield.
What gave off the vibes of being an uninspiring first half ended up being blessed by three goals. West Ham were on the back foot for much of the opening half hour but established a two-goal lead by the 40th minute after a short spell of improved play. The opening goal was a memorable one, hit by Mukasa from 25 yards and cannoning into the net off the underside of the bar. It was a memorable way for the teenage summer signing to open his account, and it came after a piece of smart attacking play that got Kyle Walker-Peters behind Wolves’ defensive line. Seven minutes later, Bowen converted the penalty after swift feet from Joel Piroe confused André into an untimely tackle.
Before Nuno could get his troops into the dressing room and preach the importance of a clean sheet, Wolves hit back.
With West Ham’s defence pushing up to deal with the visitors, a fortunate deflection off the previously bewildered André opened up the opportunity for Munetsi to run into space with the ball at his feet.
The Zimbabwean bore down on goal but kept his calm, checking inside Mavropanos and finishing coolly inside Mads Hermansen’s left-hand post.
With nascent enthusiasm tempered by the late concession, the atmosphere among the home support quietened as the second half began, perhaps in anticipation of further trials. Instead the home side extended their lead in short order and it was Mukasa who struck again. This was a lovely move, starting with a cute through ball from Bowen that Pablo dummied to take four Wolves players out of the game. Receiving on the edge of the box, Mukasa stood up Toti Gomes, shifted to his left and hit a shot that deflected off the Wolves captain and beyond the despairing José Sá.
Wolves responded to the third goal by grabbing hold of possession once more, but without sufficient goal threat. Fer López, sprightly in the No 10 role, missed a headed chance then crashed a drive into the side netting, both after good approach work from Mateus Mané. Up the other end, however, and West Ham proved clinical in another decisive moment. A sharp drive from Bowen, after a one-two with Taty Castellanos, was saved well. Engels’ corner was deep and dangerous and after Mavropanos’s towering header crashed off the bar, the Greek defender then smashed the rebound home on the volley.
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Six minutes after celebrating, Mavropanos had his eyes fixed on the ground, after he got the final touch to a cross from Jackson Tchatchoua to turn it into his own net.
Wolves created no further chances, although they could take solace from the performance of the 21-year-old Cameroon full-back Tchatchoua, who made an impact at both ends, while Mané was dominant on the left-hand side.
All the pair lacked, like the rest of the team, was a final product. On this day, it was West Ham who brought the goods to the party.
