Divine Mukasa proved decisive as West Ham edged out Wolves 4-2, earning their inaugural three points of the campaign after last season's drop to the Championship. The match, held at the London Stadium, saw the Hammers overturn a sluggish start to claim a much‑needed win, while Wolves, also relegated from the Premier League the previous year, suffered their first defeat under new boss Cesar Peixoto.
The scoring opened with a spectacular long‑range effort from Mukasa, the on‑loan Manchester City midfielder. In the 33rd minute he unleashed a powerful drive from beyond the 20‑yard mark that struck the underside of the crossbar before rattling home.
The goal came against the flow of the game, catching Wolves off guard and signalling a shift in momentum. West Ham’s transformation was evident as they pressed higher and forced Wolves into defensive errors. Jarrod Bowen added to the tally shortly before halftime. After drawing a foul inside the box, the referee pointed to the spot and Bowen coolly slotted the penalty past goalkeeper Jose Sa, sending the home crowd into raptures.
The penalty came after Wolves defender Andre lunged at Joel Piroe, prompting the spot‑kick. Bowen’s composure under pressure highlighted his growing influence in the attacking third. Wolves responded quickly, with Marshall Munetsi finding the net in the 43rd minute.
After a swift counter‑attack, Munetsi out‑paced Max Kilman and finished low beyond Hermansen’s outstretched dive, narrowing the deficit to 2‑1. The goal restored belief to the visitors and set the stage for a tense final ten minutes of the first half. The second half opened with Mukasa doubling his haul in the 53rd minute.
Receiving a precise pass from Bowen on the right flank, he took a touch and struck the ball, which deflected off defender Nasser Djiga before looping over Sa’s outstretched hands. The goal underscored Mukasa’s knack for finding space and timing his runs into the box.
West Ham’s lead expanded further in the 64th minute when centre‑back Konstantinos Mavropanos, who had earlier contributed a goal for Wolves, turned the tables. After a corner was cleared, Mavropanos rose to meet the rebound, his header ricocheting off the crossbar before finding the net on the second attempt. The strike made the score 4‑1 and seemed to seal the outcome.
Wolves managed to pull one back in the 69th minute, albeit an unfortunate one. Mavropanos, attempting to thwart a cross from Jackson Tchatchoua that was headed towards substitute Jordan James, inadvertently diverted the ball into his own net. The own‑goal reduced the margin to 4‑2, offering a glimmer of hope for the visitors.
Throughout the match, West Ham’s manager Nuno Espirito Santo expressed relief at the result, noting the importance of the win for the squad’s confidence. He praised Mukasa’s all‑round contribution, highlighting the young midfielder’s positioning, ball distribution, defensive work, and finishing ability.
"I’m delighted not only for the goals but for the way he played in midfield," Santo said. "His movement, his support, and his defensive effort are all promising signs for his development." On the Wolves side, Cesar Peixoto admitted disappointment but acknowledged the quality of the opposition.
He pointed out that Wolves created several chances but were undone by defensive lapses and an unlucky penalty. "Their first goal was a spectacular strike that is hard to defend against," Peixoto remarked.
"We were disorganized for a few minutes and gave away the penalty. The third goal was a bit lucky, and the fourth felt unfair." The match also featured notable moments beyond the goals. Early in the game, West Ham’s Raul Jimenez missed a clear opportunity after a perfect pass from Jackson Tchatchoua, sending his shot wildly wide. A subsequent effort from the same corner saw Jimenez’s shot bounce off the turf and over goalkeeper Mads Hermansen, striking the crossbar.
Later, Mateus Mane also struck the bar after a cross that Kyle Walker‑Peters failed to clear properly, illustrating the fine margins that defined the encounter. The win alleviated some of the pressure on Nuno Espirito Santo, especially as potential investor Amanda Staveley attended the game representing a consortium interested in acquiring a significant stake in the club.
The presence of the prospective buyer added an extra layer of intrigue to the evening, underscoring the club’s ambitions both on and off the pitch. In his post‑match press conference, Santo emphasized the need for continued improvement, acknowledging lingering mistakes that still required correction.
"We need to be more focused, concentrate better, and show determination," he said. "The attacking play was much more effective, and that’s the direction we want to continue in." Peixoto, for his part, highlighted the resilience of his squad despite the loss. "The team stayed organized until the end and fought hard," he noted. "We have to improve certain aspects, but the effort was commendable." Overall, the 4‑2 victory marked a pivotal moment for West Ham, providing a morale boost and a tangible step towards climbing the Championship table.
The performance of Mukasa, Bowen, and Mavropanos, coupled with a solid defensive display, suggested that the Hammers could build on this momentum as the season progresses. Meanwhile, Wolves will need to regroup quickly, addressing the defensive frailties that cost them dearly in a match that could have propelled them to the top of the league had the result been different.