West Ham picked up their first three points since August the 28th as the home side won 2-0 against a Wolves side who have struggled for goals.
Gianluca Scamacca’s first half wonder strike and Jarrod Bowen’s second half goal was the difference in a game where West Ham were clinical in the chances they made and Wolves were not.
Despite West Ham’s goals coming from half chances they had a cutting edge when they needed to, especially on the counter attack.
Whereas, Wolves failed to create anything to trouble Lukasz Fabianski in the opposition goal as most of their shots came from long distance.
For the away side this result summarised their season: they played good football but failed to score and threaten West Ham in an attacking sense.
Gianluca Scamacca and Jarrod Bowen are difference makers
West Ham have struggled for goals this season having only scored three goals before this game. Bowen had failed so far this season to repeat his form of last season and the Hammers' new Italian striker had shown form in the Europa Conference League but this was yet to be replicated in the league.
However, Bowen looked like his confidence was returning as he was more willing to take players on and come inside on his favoured left foot and looked like a threat for the majority of the game and when his chance came in the 54th minute.
Following Thilo Kehrer’s deflected shot, he cut inside on his left foot and in a flash took his snap-shot drilling the ball into the near post of Jose Sa’s goal.
Furthermore, Scamacca had great flicks and tricks to bring players into the game in his role as the lone striker and when Bowen’s shot was blocked and the ball bounced up to him in the 29th minute he smashed the ball into the back of the net to score a wonder goal, his first in the Premier League.
This pair having good link up play and hitting form could be crucial to West Ham as they look to build on this win.
A game of firsts for the home team
This was a game where many positives could be taken for David Moyes’ side. It was their first Premier League goal scored before half time, their first time leading in a home game this season, and Scamacca’s and Bowen’s first league goals of the season.
There may be some worries in being one dimensional at points as they struggled to be a huge attacking threat unless it was from a counter attack but, the outcomes from the game were largely positive for the club from East London and a result they will look to build their confidence from to kick start their season.
Wolves' style of play was easy for West Ham to deal with
For the majority of the game the away team's play style was easy to see. High wingbacks and long, quick switches of play across the pitch.
However, once they had done this, yet again they had little threat going forward and in the box, and their attacks fizzled out.
Moreover, as West Ham played so narrowly, they allowed their opposition to get into space in the wide areas.
When they tried to get through the middle to create chances, there was no space and Wolves failed to create any meaningful chances, with many shots coming from outside the box.
At points the wingbacks were not high enough, so when the ball came to them often it was returned to the centre backs anyway, and Bruno Lage's side then had to restart their attacking moves rather than constantly troubling West Ham.
It is crucial Diego Costa hits the ground running for this struggling Wolves side
Diego Costa returns to the Premier League with a big reputation after his hugely successful time in the English top-flight with Chelsea.
Often this season Wolves play beautiful football, but fail to have a clinical edge, and that was on show in the game against the Hammers.
The fact Wolves are the lowest scorers this season with a mere three proves they have struggled in front of goal this term/
Wolves were at their best when they had a consistent goal scorer in Raul Jimenez before his unfortunate injury, and it is vital for the Midlands club's success this season that he brings them a consistent return in front of goal, or there will be many more games like today where the Wanderers play well and have lots of possession, but have nothing to show for it at full time.