Happy Hammers play while Moyes is away
WEST HAM 4 WOLVES 0
DAVID MOYES may decide to manage remotely more often after this swashbuckling victory from West Ham.
Two goals from Jarrod Bowen, an own- goal by Raul Jimenez and a late strike from Sebastien Haller handed the Hammers and their absent boss an emphatic win and their first points of the season.
Moyes, below, and players Josh Cullen and Issa Diop tested positive for Covid- 19 last week and the Scot was forced to stay at home and liaise with No2 Alan Irvine and his staff.
But with tough fixtures looming, this was a welcome result and performance. The Wolves defence was all at sea and but for some great saves from Rui Patricio, the scoreline could have been embarrassing.
Nelson Semedo, Wolves’ £ 28million capture from Barcelona, was given his debut by Nuno Espirito Santo.
Bowen broke the deadlock after 17 minutes with a wonderful finish after quick thinking from West Ham.
Michail Antonio was fouled by Willy Boly in the centre circle and Pablo Fornals set Bowen away quickly with the free- kick. He ran to the edge of the area before bending a superb shot into a bottom corner. Nuno complained the ball was rolling when Fornals played it – but referee Martin Atkinson allowed the goal. Patricio made saves from Antonio and Soucek that kept Wolves in an entertaining game.
But Moyes’ men got their second just before the hour. Fornals hit the post from Antonio’s cut- back – but Bowen was there to score again.
Adama Traore went off with blood around his mouth, replaced by record signing Fabio Silva. But West Ham soon had a third after 66 minutes, when Jimenez glanced in Aaron Cresswell’s corner.
Substitute Haller then added the Hammers’ fourth goal in injury time.
WEST HAM ( 5- 2- 3): Fabianski 7; Fredericks 6 ( Johnson 49, 5), Balbuena 6, Ogbonna 7, Cresswell 7, Masuaku 6; Rice 7, Soucek 7; Bowen 8 ( Noble 87); Antonio 8 ( Haller 87), Fornals 7. Goals: Bowen 17, 57, Jimenez 66 og, Haller 90. WOLVES ( 3- 4- 3): Patrico 7; Boly 5, Coady 5, Saiss 5; Semedo 5 ( Hoever 72), Moutinho 6 ( Vitinha 72), Neves 6, Vinagre 6; Traore 6 ( Silva 62, 6), Jimenez 5, Neto 6.