It was a match between two disjointed sides, two teams trying to carve out new identities following the drop into the Championship. In the end West Ham won thanks to a bit of luck, a degree of resolve and, crucially, a sharpness in front of goal that took them away from Wolves and reduced the pressure on Nuno Espírito Santo, for a few days at least.

First-half goals from Divine Mukasa and Jarrod Bowen, the latter from the penalty spot, were complemented by two more in the second; Mukasa secured his brace alongside a goal for Konstantinos Mavropanos. The defender doubled up himself too, albeit by scoring at his own end, as Wolves tried to claw their way back into contention. The visitors also added a decent goal from the midfielder Marshall Munetsi to their tally. For all their obvious technical ability, however, César Peixoto’s side lacked the hosts’ sang-froid at the crucial moments and that proved the decisive factor.

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