Wolverhampton Wanderers secured their first Premier League victory of the season with a convincing 3-0 win over West Ham United at Molineux on Saturday, January 3th, 2026. The match not only marked a significant milestone for Wolves but also amplified the pressure on West Ham's manager, Nuno Espirito Santo.
The home side wasted no time in asserting their dominance, with Jhon Arias opening the scoring in just the fourth minute. Arias capitalized on a cross from Hee-Chan Hwang to put Wolves ahead. Hwang himself doubled the lead from the penalty spot in the 31st minute after Soungoutou Magassa fouled Mateus Mane. Before halftime Mane added his first Premier League goal with a powerful strike from distance, sending the home crowd into raptures and sparking jeers from the visiting supporters, who chanted "You're not fit to wear the shirt" in disbelief.
For Wolves, the victory was a long-awaited breakthrough, as they had not secured a win in the Premier League since April of the previous year. The team's performance was praised by head coach Rob Edwards, who noted the progress and resilience shown by his players. "It's progression," Edwards said. "It was a good performance, great to reward the fans with a win because they've been waiting a long time for that."
In contrast, the defeat extended West Ham's winless streak under Nuno to nine matches, casting further doubt on his future at the club. The team remains four points adrift of safety, with a crucial match against Nottingham Forest scheduled for Tuesday. "I have to apologise to the fans," Nuno Espirito Santo admitted post-match. "We needed much more from our players. The way we started and the way we performed was very poor, it was embarrassing because I don't recall one day that I felt so bad on a football pitch like today."
The match highlighted the stark contrast in form between the two sides, with Wolves showing resilience and a clinical edge in front of goal. The away fans' early chants of impending relegation and boos for their own players underscored the discontent and lack of confidence within the West Ham camp. The second half saw little improvement, as West Ham failed to register a meaningful attack, allowing Wolves to secure a clean sheet and double their points total for the season.
As the new year begins, Wolves will look to build on this momentum, while West Ham faces an uphill battle to avoid relegation. The pressure is on Nuno Espirito Santo to turn things around, but for now, the focus remains on Wolves' hard-earned victory and the renewed hope it brings to their supporters.
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