West Ham 4-0 Wolves. Didn’t see that coming after the first 20 minutes, if I’m honest. Wolves started the better side and had us rocking early on, but once we settled, there was only ever going to be one winner.
The big turning point was that opener just before half-time. From there, the confidence flowed, the passes stuck, and suddenly West Ham looked like a completely different team. By the end of it, Wolves were chasing shadows and the Hammers were enjoying themselves.
And let’s be honest, this was about individuals stepping up. Some big performances, one outstanding one, and a proper statement result when it mattered most as West Ham moved above Spurs and out of the relegation zone.
West Ham player ratings vs Wolves as Mavropanos steals the show
Hermansen: 7 Seemed to misjudge a header which fortunately went wide. Made an easy save from Armstrong. Not a huge amount to do but yet another clean sheet.
Walker Peters: 7 Called into action early and wasn’t found wanting. One of the better players in the first half. Gave Bowen a good option at times and justified his selection ahead of Wan Bissaka. Did well to stop an excellent Bueno dribble down the wing after he’d beaten two men already.
Most Read on West Ham News
Mavropanos: 10 Called upon three times within the opening couple of minutes as Wolves began brightly. Always trying to make something happen with his long passes. Dinos made the difference after 42 mins when he put the team 1-0 up after heading in a Bowen cross. Volleyed home his second and West Ham’s 4th from a corner. Looking like a very good shout for Hammer of the year.
Disasi: 7 Overworked like the whole West Ham defence in the first half. Won more than his fair share of headers.
Diouf: 6 Like a few of his teammates, struggled to find his accuracy early on as the Hammers made a nervous start. Gave the ball away in dangerous positions twice in the opening 45 where West Ham were very lucky not to concede. Looked more confident after half time as Nuno’s boys started the second 45 well. Almost scored an own goal but we were 3-0 up at the time.
Soucek: 7 Lucky not to have a broken ankle after Bellegarde went in with studs showing. Made a crucial block after 50 minutes. Really unlucky to concede a freekick from a referee who was far too card happy.
Fernandes: 9 Wonderful chipped pass to Summerville should have yielded a goal. Played another wonderful crossfield pass to Walker Peters on the half hour mark. At the heart of West Ham’s best work.
Bowen: 8 Great footwork and exchange with Fernandes. The first half opening was summed up when Bowen dribbled the ball out of play when under no pressure. Should have done better with a chance created by Taty and Pablo. Had another half chance after a Mavropanos knockdown. As he often does though, provided a telling contribution with a delicious cross to set up Mavropanos to put West Ham ahead on 42 mins. Hit the bar on 53 mins with a long range curling effort just like he did against Leeds last week. Pounced on a Wolves error to create the Hammers 3rd for Taty Castellanos who half scuffed the ball past Sa. Made a big contribution.
Summerville: 7 Lost the ball straight away giving Wolves possession from which they almost scored. Blazed miles over with a good chance on 13 mins. Produced a very good cross which caused the Wolves defence a nervous moment but then gave the ball away for a third time moments later. Clearly very rusty from his time out and was more of a help to the visitors attack than West Ham’s early in the game. Tried to lob Jose Sa from long range on a counter attack and got it all wrong. Played a crucial role in pinching the ball and setting up West Ham’s second. Got better and shook off the cobwebs as the game went on. Good to have him back.
Pablo: 7 Failed to make the most of a clever Taty dummy early in the game. Did well with a bouncing ball and created a half chance for Bowen. Had a decent shot on target and forced a corner just before half time. Wonderful flick set up his strike partner for the second.
Castellanos: 9 Involved in some of the build-up and played a good pass to Bowen. Both him and Taty worked tirelessly. Conceded a poor freekick from which Wolves hit the bar. Scored two goals in the space of a minute as he latched onto Bowen’s pass after dispatching his first from Pablo’s flick. His goals were just reward for a good all round display.
West Ham 4-0 Wolves: Taty grabbed a brace
Substitutes
Potts:6 On for Pablo on 77 mins
Traore:6 Replaced Summerville as part of a double swap. Shot just wide having been set up by Bowen. A good run down the wing set up Bowen as West Ham swarmed Wolves at the end of the game.
Wilson:6 Replaced Taty on 81 mins
Magassa:6 On for Fernandes after 85 min