West Ham Punish Woeful Wolves Defence In 2-0 Rout
West Ham United secured a much-needed 2-0 victory over Wolverhampton Wanderers at the London Stadium on Saturday afternoon, capitalizing on the visitors’ defensive frailties to move up to 15th in the Premier League table.
Lacklustre Wolves Defence Exposed
West Ham’s victory was largely due to the woeful performance of Wolves’ defence, who failed to cope with the hosts’ attacking threat. The Hammers took the lead after just 11 minutes when Gianluca Scamacca slotted home from close range after a defensive mix-up between Wolves goalkeeper Jose Sa and defender Toti Gomes. The Portuguese defender was at fault again just before half-time when his poor clearance fell to Tomas Soucek, who lashed a thunderous strike into the top corner.
Defensive Statistics Highlight Wolves’ Woes
The defensive statistics from the match paint a grim picture for Wolves. They conceded possession 58%, made just 4 tackles, and allowed West Ham to fire in 13 shots on goal. In contrast, West Ham won the ball back 42% of the time, made 15 tackles, and forced Sa into 5 saves.
| Team | Possession | Tackles | Shots on Goal |
|---|---|---|---|
| West Ham | 58% | 15 | 13 |
| Wolves | 42% | 4 | 5 |
Ings Impresses In West Ham Debut
In addition to their defensive struggles, Wolves also failed to create many attacking chances. Their only real opportunity came in the second half when Hwang Hee-chan fired a shot just over the crossbar. West Ham, on the other hand, looked dangerous going forward throughout the match. Danny Ings, making his debut for the Hammers following his loan move from Aston Villa, impressed with his movement and link-up play. The England international had a hand in both of West Ham’s goals and could have had a goal of his own if not for a fine save from Sa.
Solskjaer’s Tactical Switch Backfires
Wolves manager Julen Lopetegui made a tactical switch at half-time, bringing on Nelson Semedo and Matheus Nunes in an attempt to add more attacking impetus. However, the change failed to have the desired effect, and Wolves continued to look toothless in the final third. Lopetegui’s frustration was evident at the final whistle, as he cut a forlorn figure on the touchline.
Conclusion
West Ham’s victory was a deserved one, as they took full advantage of Wolves’ defensive deficiencies. The Hammers played with greater intensity and purpose, and they were rewarded with three points that will give them a much-needed confidence boost. Wolves, on the other hand, have now lost three of their last four Premier League matches and are in desperate need of a turnaround. Lopetegui will have to find a way to shore up his team’s defence and create more chances going forward if they are to avoid relegation this season.
