Jarrod Bowen and Tomas Soucek helped West Ham secure a crucial 2-1 win over Wolves, providing much-needed relief for Julen Lopetegui in a match labeled as must-win. At the same time, the defeat increases the pressure on Wolves boss Gary O’Neil.
Bowen led the way during a frantic 18-minute second-half spell featuring three goals, two big VAR interventions, and several disallowed strikes. Wolves also had two penalty appeals waved away, adding to the drama of the night.
Amid the tension, the match included tributes to West Ham’s Michail Antonio, recovering from surgery after a car accident, underscoring the stakes beyond football. But on the pitch, Lopetegui’s side delivered an important win, moving nine points clear of the relegation zone.
For Wolves, the result is another blow, leaving them second-bottom and four points from safety. O’Neil’s frustrations with officiating continued as a questionable corner led to Soucek’s goal, and VAR overturned two potential Wolves penalties.
Wolves briefly leveled through Matt Doherty’s strike, but Bowen quickly restored West Ham’s lead with a brilliant solo finish, dedicating the goal to Antonio. Late controversies, including appeals for fouls on Santiago Bueno and Jean-Ricner Bellegarde, left Wolves feeling hard done by, but defensive frailties again proved costly in a heated encounter that ended with clashes between players.
