Wolves’ long wait for a Premier League victory came to an emphatic end as they swept aside West Ham with a commanding 3–0 win at Molineux — a result that significantly intensifies the scrutiny on visiting manager Nuno Espírito Santo.
For Wolverhampton Wanderers, the afternoon represented both relief and release. Having failed to register a league win all season, they struck early and never looked back, overwhelming a West Ham side short on confidence and cohesion.
The breakthrough arrived almost immediately. Inside four minutes, Jhon Arias marked his first league goal by converting a low cross from Hee-chan Hwang, setting the tone for a breathless opening spell. Wolves doubled their advantage soon after when Hwang stepped up from the spot and calmly dispatched a penalty following a clumsy challenge on Mateus Mané.
West Ham’s afternoon deteriorated further before the interval. Teenage midfielder Mané crowned an outstanding half with a thunderous long-range effort, his first goal at this level, leaving the visitors stunned and their travelling supporters audibly furious.
For Wolves fans, the scoreline bordered on surreal. The club had not celebrated a Premier League victory since April of last year, and yet by half-time they were cruising. The second half was played largely at Wolves’ pace, as they protected their clean sheet with minimal fuss and doubled their points tally in one afternoon.
While the home side looked rejuvenated, the spotlight quickly shifted to West Ham United, whose troubles under Nuno Espírito Santo show little sign of easing. The defeat stretched their winless run to nine matches, leaving them hovering dangerously close to the relegation zone ahead of a crucial clash with Nottingham Forest.
After the match, Wolves head coach Rob Edwards praised his players’ patience and commitment, describing the victory as a deserved reward for steady improvement. He also highlighted the importance of delivering the win in front of long-suffering home supporters, framing it as a potential turning point as the new year begins.
Nuno, by contrast, offered a blunt assessment of his team’s display. He apologised repeatedly to West Ham fans, labelling the performance “embarrassing” and admitting it was among the lowest moments of his managerial career. The reaction from the away end — which included boos and chants mocking their own side — reflected the depth of frustration.
West Ham never truly threatened a response. Despite Wolves entering the match without a clean sheet all season, José Sá was rarely tested, underlining the visitors’ lack of attacking spark. Their inability to match Wolves’ intensity or organisation raised serious concerns ahead of the run-in.
For Wolves, there is no sudden talk of safety just yet — but confidence has finally returned. For West Ham, however, the pressure is mounting rapidly, and their next fixture now carries enormous weight in determining the direction of their season.
