West Ham United 2 – 1 Wolves | Final Whistle, First Impressions

Sky sports’ pre match analysis honed in on West Ham being one of the worst in the Premier League at defending fast breaks whilst Wolves were the 4th best at hitting teams on the break. I’m hoping somebody in Lopetegui’s camp showed him the same stats.

West Ham started brightly, Bowen in the middle with Soucek supporting as a ’10’ during early attacks. Summerville especially looked lively running at defenders on the left hand side.

The ninth minute and sixty thousand people applauded and sang Michail Antonio’s name. Hammers first pressure on 22 minutes came from Bowen’s sprinting first onto the loose ball in the box-great speed – but hitting it straight at the Wolves keeper.

Soler should have scored five minutes later after a fabulous, Paquetá-like through ball from Summerville into the box – taking too many touches, the Spaniard’s shot was blocked. Similarly, Wolves should have scored on a break from the right when Gomez somehow missed from 5 yards.  End to end stuff. Kudus almost scored- but shovelled away by Johnston. Another corner. This time Mavropanos shot over from a Kilman head-back across from the far post.  8 attempts by 34 minutes.

Notable how Summerville is doubled up on by two defenders pretty much every time he has possession: Good defensive work  and discipline from Wolves. Summerville sent cartwheeling by a bad block when running at full tilt-  I hope there’s no lasting damage from that! Half time. 9 corners, more than 10 chances. No goals. Another chapter of ‘Lopetegui’s last 45 minutes’ awaits.

Second half begins and Wolves’ Doherty finally received a yellow card after a string of bad challenges against Summerville and Alvarez. Crysencio will need an ice bath tonight. A great break from Wan Bissaka along the whole length o the pitch won West Ham a corner..Hit right to the back post and Tornado Tom Soucek looped in a header which nestled in the far corner. Very soft, but very welcome. One – Nil West Ham.

Now Wolves would have to come out and play, leaving more space at the back. Expect more goals! And sure enough, Summerville running through, passed to Bowen who turns and centred and Kudus got the tap in. Trouble is he’s offside on the VAR check.

Again Summerville clattered, another Wolves yellow card. Paquetá entered, Soler withdrawn.

Emerson makes a dreadful shove on his attacker  in the box- having got the wrong side – in what looked to me like a very decent Wolves penalty shout which VAR declined to refer. Odd. No matter as Wolves level one minute later using the width  of their wingbacks, Doherty sliding in to shoot low past Fabianski. One-all. And Wolves deservedly level, to be honest.

And then there’s that Bowen genius again, jinking on the edge of the box and firing perfectly  into the corner. Wonderful goal and classy holding up of Antonio’s ‘9’ shirt too. Great, classic Jarrod Bowen strike.

However much I’d like to think this game is done and dusted, Wolves keep breaking and have a couple of attempts: Mavropanos also getting away with contact in the box when another referee would have given a penalty. Todibo back in from the cold and ‘on’ with Cresswell and Rodriguez to try and shut this one out for the last 5 minutes. Kudus again denied by the linesman’s offside flag after good intricate passing in the Wolves box.

So, Lopetegui gets a win – three points to West Ham. What it means – we’ll have to wait and see. Does Lopetegui survive? Thanks to his Captain, the man of the match..’Probably’.