Wolverhampton Wanderers scored two late goals to earn all three points against a blunt West Ham United. Raul Jimenez and Pedro Neto scored in the last 20 minutes to put the game beyond the Hammers at the London Stadium, while winger Adama Traore changed the game with his introduction from the bench.
The result leaves David Moyes’ just outside the relegation zone, but only due to a slightly superior goal difference. Wolves, meanwhile, kept the pressure on Chelsea in fourth. They are now just two points off the Champions League places.
Wolverhampton Wanderers Double Sinks West Ham United
Adama Traore Key in Wolves Win
Despite starting on the bench for the match, Wolves winger Adama Traore came off the bench and looked threatening immediately.
The Spanish winger burst down the right-wing, beat two players and delivered an inch-perfect cross for team-mate Raúl Jiménez. The Mexican striker rose highest and powered in his header with just 20 minutes remaining.
Traore was then involved in the decisive goal which put the game beyond reach. He received the ball in a central area, drew in two players, danced past them and laid the ball out to an overlapping Matt Doherty. His far post cross found Pedro Neto at the far post who smashed home a superb first-time volley past Łukasz Fabiański.
Neto sealed all three points for the visitors with five minutes remaining, but it was the electric performance of Traore that proved the difference. There were few chances for each team in the match, but the 24-year-old found the spark needed to prove the difference.
West Ham Situation Becoming Desperate
The loss to Wolves leaves the Hammers precariously above the relegation zone. Wolves dominated this fixture and Moyes’ side struggled to carve out any clear cut opportunities.
Pablo Fornals came closest in the first half, running in behind after a long ball was played over the Wolves defence. But the midfielder showed little composure and smashed the ball high and wide from six-yards out.
Michail Antonio then hit a long-range effort just over the bar with the game at 1-0, but it didn’t test Rui Patrício.
West Ham’s recent form is showing no improvement. The Hammers now have one win in their last ten and secured just five points from their last 30 available to win. They have not kept a clean sheet since January 1 this year.
West Ham face a difficult run of fixtures over the next few weeks. They take on Tottenham Hotspur next and will also play Chelsea and Manchester United in their final eight games.
However, they will also play teams around them so the matches against Aston Villa and Watford in July could be crucial if Moyes’ side are to remain in the Premier League.
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