Wolverhampton Wanderers hosted West Ham but they were put to the swords by the in-form Jesse Lingard. What a revelation he has been for West Ham. The loan move away from Manchester United has done him a world of good. He single-handedly dragged his team into the top 4 while displacing Chelsea.
Wolves have been struggling and you would expect West Ham to edge this based on their form but they did it exceptionally with their first-half blitz.
Jesse Lingard opened the score when he ran the whole length of the field to brilliantly place the ball into the back of the net, away from the gracious hands of Rui Patricio, in the 6th minute.
Fornals doubled the lead in the 14th minute after Lingard orchestrated the goal that led to the goal as well. Lingard wasn't done and in the 38th minute, Lingard ran again and displaced 5 players by sneaking a pass-through to Bowen (who came in for the injured Antonio) who wasted no time by smashing his effort to the goalkeeper's near post to make it 3-0. Bowen scored with his first real involvement in the game.
Wolves were determined to reduce the deficit before half time break and they got it after Traore's brilliant run which saw him skipped a lovely challenge that led to the goal. He found Dendoncker who scored brilliantly by leaving Fabianksi rooted to the spot with a lovely header.
The half time ended and West Ham was in control of this tie. Wolves knew they had it all to do in the second half.
Bowen could have scored his second goal in the 54th minute when he was perfectly played through with a lovely cross but he could only steer his header wide.
West Ham thought they have grabbed their 4th in the 59th minute when Soucek scored but he handled the ball in the build-up to his goal and the referee ruled the goal for a handball, much to the relief of Wolves.
Wolves reduced the deficit in the 68th minute when Fabio Silva was played through on goal and he brilliantly scored with a right-foot shot to make it 3-2. Wolves could have scored the 3rd to draw his side level when Dendoncker flashed over the rebound effort that fell to him after Fabianski initially saved a goal-bound effort.
Both teams had series of chances to either extended their lead or to draw level or reduce the deficit with some impressive attacking football from both but Lingard was the difference in this game.
Wolves did everything in the second half to get at least a draw but they were unable to get it. The first half blitz from West Ham did more damage to Wolves and that proved to be the difference. West Ham now back in 4th place, knocking Chelsea to 5th.
Thank you for your time.
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