Manuel back to square one
SATURDAY’S win against Chelsea suddenly seems an awful long time ago for Manuel Pellegrini.
And on this evidence it may have only been a temporary reprieve for the West Ham boss.
Pellegrini is under pressure again after a disappointing display at both ends of the pitch saw Wolves win easily.
“You’re getting sacked in the morning,” chanted the Molineux crowd, although that would be premature, even after Leander Dendoncker and Patrick Cutrone gave the Hammers what they deserved.
David Martin, the star of the Chelsea win on his debut, was forced to push over a Raul Jimenez flick from a Jota cross in the early exchanges.
But the West Ham goalkeeper could not repeat his Stamford Bridge heroics, although there was nothing he could do about Wolves breaking the deadlock in the 23rd minute.
Ryan Fredericks certainly could though.
The right-back lost his man Dendoncker from a Joao Moutinho corner and the big Belgian struck home.
In response, the Hammers went close when Declan Rice headed straight at Rui Patricio from Robert Snodgrass’ corner.
It then took a stunning stop from Patricio to keep out Pablo Fornals’ curler from the edge of the area.
At the other end, Diogo Jota was foiled by Martin moments before the break, while Adama Traore’s pace threatened the visiting defence.
Wolves should have made the game safe early in the second half but Dendoncker headed over from Jonny’s cross.
West Ham then had Martin to thank as he denied Jonny, who appeared destined to score from Jimenez’s tempting delivery.
And Pellegrini’s side should have taken advantage as Snodgrass was sent clear by Fornals but took a heavy touch.
Wolves chances continued to come more frequently, with Romain Saiss heading wide from Moutinho’s corner, while Jimenez shot wide after charging forward.
Martin then made a decent stop to keep out Jimenez’s effort after a superb Traore break.
But Wanderers sealed the win four minutes from the end when Pedro Neto set up fellow sub Cutrone, who calmly finished.
Boss Nuno Espirito Santo said: “Thursday the players have a day off after 21 days without one.”