A day where double figures were met, both in the gap between Wolves and the bottom three with a 12 point cushion before Leicester and Ipswich play tomorrow and in Jorgen Strand Larsen’s Wolves goals tally with the Norwegian hitting 10 for the season.
The Teams
Wolves: Sa, Semedo, Doherty, Agbadou, Toti, Ait-Nouri (Bueno, 82), Andre (Sarabia, 71), J.Gomes, Munetsi, Bellegarde (Traore, 90), Larsen.
West Ham: Areola, Wan-Bissaka, Mavropanos, Kilman, Cresswell (Alvarez, 45), Scarles (Emerson, 72), Ward-Prowse (Soucek, 71), Paqueta, Guilherme (Soler, 45), Bowen, Ferguson (Fullkrug, 45).
The First Half:
The game started slowly as both sides found each other out, the first chance coming from James Ward-Prowse, no stranger to wonder goals at Molineux who smashed a long range free kick just over.
Still nothing much was happening for either side apart from set plays and opposition mistakes, which Toti was guilty of playing the ball against Bowen who broke free passing to Ferguson but the striker lost in the battle of Ireland as Doherty got a block in forcing his effort wide.
The games best opportunities were coming from set pieces of which no opportunity of note can be found until Agbadou played the ball down the middle of the pitch, cushioned on by Munetsi for Larsen who fired home from the edge of the box, great to see what confidence can do for a striker to take on the difficult opportunity.
Moments later an even easier chance came Wolves way, Joao Gomes marauding through the center of the pitch, Larsen this time touched it on for Munetsi who saw his effort smash off the bar.
The hosts took the initiative for the rest of the half not giving the Hammers a sniff, Gomes and Munetsi both having shots blocked as half-time approached.
The Second Half:
West Ham adjusted their system and personnel at the break, bringing on Fullkrug, Soler and Alvarez. The system change revitalised the Hammers who were pushing forwards although vulnerable on the counter. The first opportunity of the half fell to Bellegarde who fired just over from outside the box.
West Ham continued to dominate possession but much of the half passed without any clear cut opportunities, but fouls aplenty. Wolves again managed to break out with Doherty making a brilliant run found by Gomes in the box who pulled the back from the byline only for Larsen to smash wide.
Eventually West Ham’s pressure turned into some opportunities with Fullkrug, who had been causing problems for some time without taking a shot, saw his effort rebound off the crossbar into the path of Emerson who had come on moments before only for the wingback to hit the side netting with his attempt.
West Ham should have taken advantage of another Toti error. As in the first half overplaying around the back saw Bowen and Fullkrug get the ball back the latter played it through to another second half substitute Soucek who was one on one with Jose Sa only for the Czech international to fire just wide at the near post.
Moments later Wolves found themselves with another counter attacking opportunity with Strand Larsen sending Munetsi through on goal who somehow managed to skew his shot wide, in hindsight the Zimbabwe international might have been better placed to slide the ball back to Larsen as Munetsi never looked comfortable taking the shot on.
As Wolves entered five minutes of additional time the Wolves Coaching Staff were revving up the crowd at every throw and tackle won by the home side, the Game ended with great hold up play from Larsen winning a free kick in the corner which ran down the clock. Molineux erupted, Victor Pereira celebrated with his staff and the bench. Another three points on the board after another mostly positive defensive display.
Wolves found a way to get three points against a very physical opponent who in the second half really put themselves about. A brilliant win with standout performers of Gomes, Andre, Bellegarde, Agbadou and Doherty for me, Strand Larsen with the final word as he hit 10 for the season.
