Wolverhampton Wanderers finally secured their first Premier League win of the season at the 20th attempt, thrashing fellow strugglers West Ham United 3-0 at Molineux. The victory marked a historic day for Wolves and first for new head coach Rob Edwards, providing a welcome boost for a team that had endured a demoralizing run of defeats stretching back to April 2025.

Wolves’ First-Half Blitz

The hosts made a fast start, breaking the deadlock inside four minutes. Hwang Hee-Chan glided past West Ham defender Konstantinos Mavropanos before cutting the ball back for Jhon Arias, who tapped home from six yards to score his first goal for Wolves.

Wolves were awarded a penalty when Mateus Mané was fouled by Soungoutou Magassa. Hwang confidently converted the spot-kick in the 31st minute to double the lead, before Mané capped the first-half rout with a low drive from outside the box. The 18-year-old striker’s goal was his first senior career strike, showcasing his potential as a future star for the club.

Second Half: Game Managed with Confidence

West Ham struggled to respond after the break, and despite slight improvements, Wolves maintained control. The visitors’ winless run extended to nine matches, while Wolves doubled their points tally to six, easing some pressure in the relegation battle.

Wolves dominated possession and created eight shots on target to West Ham’s zero, with the home crowd finally enjoying a thoroughly deserved victory after months of frustration.

Historical Context

Including the tail end of the previous season, Wolves had gone 23 league matches without a win, making them the first team since Bolton Wanderers in 1902-03 to begin a top-flight campaign with 19 winless games. Comparisons with Derby County’s 2007-08 campaign highlighted the scale of Wolves’ previous struggles, yet this result provides a crucial foundation for survival.

Rob Edwards’ appointment on 12 November 2025 has already injected belief into the squad. A 1-1 draw at Manchester United earlier in the week ended an 11-game losing streak, and Saturday’s victory confirmed that Wolves are capable of competing when they perform with energy and ruthlessness.

West Ham Struggle to Find Rhythm

West Ham, managed by Nuno Espirito Santo, were second best throughout and failed to create meaningful chances in the first half. Injuries to key players, including influential midfielder Lucas Paqueta, left the visitors lacking creativity.

Despite switching to a 3-5-2 formation in the second half, West Ham struggled to break down Wolves, failing to register a single shot in the first 45 minutes and creating few meaningful opportunities thereafter.

“It was really bad today,” Nuno admitted after the match, apologizing to supporters. With relegation pressure mounting, West Ham remain 18th in the Premier League, four points behind Nottingham Forest.

Key Performances

• Mateus Mané (Wolves) – 8.51: Scored his first senior goal and was a constant threat in attack. Player of the Match.
• Jhon Arias (Wolves) – 7.55: Opened the scoring and showcased composure in attack.
• Hwang Hee-Chan (Wolves) – 7.70: Assisted and scored, instrumental in first-half dominance.
• Rob Edwards (Wolves) – Tactical setup allowed Wolves to control the game and secure their first win.

What’s Next

• Wolves: Travel to Everton in the Premier League on Wednesday, 7 January (19:30 GMT).
• West Ham: Host Nottingham Forest on Tuesday, 6 January (20:00 GMT), needing a response to stay in the survival fight.