Wolverhampton Wanderers finally ended their long wait for a Premier League victory this season, delivering a commanding 3-0 performance against a woeful West Ham United at Molineux on Saturday, 3rd January 2026.
Early Blitz Settles the Contest
The match was effectively decided in a dominant first-half display from the hosts. Jhon Arias opened the scoring after just four minutes, sliding in to convert Hwang Hee-chan's low cross for his first Wolves goal. The South Korean forward then turned scorer from the penalty spot on 31 minutes after referee Peter Bankes penalised Soungoutou Magassa for bringing down Mateus Mane.
The irrepressible teenager Mane wasn't finished, however. He capped a superb individual performance by curling a brilliant 18-yard strike into the bottom corner before the break to give Wolves an unassailable 3-0 lead. West Ham failed to register a single shot on target throughout the entire 90 minutes, much to the delight of the home supporters who taunted their former manager Nuno Espirito Santo.
Pressure Mounts on Nuno as Hammers' Woes Continue
The result represents a disastrous return to Molineux for Nuno, who is now under severe pressure to keep his job. West Ham remain entrenched in the relegation zone, four points from safety, after extending their winless run to nine league games. The Portuguese coach, who was sacked by Nottingham Forest earlier in the season, saw his side offer no meaningful response, with Magassa blazing a rare chance over the bar.
Nuno's decision not to introduce new £21.8 million striker Pablo Felipe from the bench underscored the game's status as a lost cause. Given the short tenures of his predecessors Julen Lopetegui and Graham Potter, the club's hierarchy may soon be considering another change in the dugout.
A Glimmer of Hope for Wolves and Edwards
For Wolves boss Rob Edwards, this was a monumental and deserved first win at the helm. Buoyed by ending an 11-game losing streak with a midweek draw at Manchester United, his side played with confidence and purpose. While their fate still looks bleak with just six points on the board, the victory provides a vital morale boost for players and fans alike.
Wolves continued to create the better chances after the interval, with West Ham keeper Alphonse Areola forced into good saves from Hugo Bueno, Mane, and Yerson Mosquera to prevent a more emphatic scoreline. For one afternoon at least, it was Wolves who were celebrating and West Ham left to contemplate a deeply troubling future in the Premier League's bottom three.
