West Ham ease pressure on Lopetegui with win
Soucek loops header into net for opener before Doherty levels
Bowen restores lead with fine solo effort
Defeat increases pressure on Wolves boss O'Neil
Tributes paid to Michail Antonio
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Hammers boss Julen Lopetegui and Wolves' Gary O'Neil are the managers with the two shortest odds - by some way - to lose their job next.
So much so the game has been dubbed 'El Sackico' on social media.
Both managers received chants of "you'll be sacked in the morning" from their own fans last week as Wolves lost to Everton and Leicester beat West Ham.
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Re: Rich’s message at 19:06. I take it he hasn’t looked into the underlying statistics. Off the top of my head it’s two clean sheets since February, 3 wins in 27 in the league stretching back to last season and 36 goals conceded in 14 games this season. O’Neil can’t organise a defence and needs to go, regardless of the result tonight.
Will, Wolves fan
West Ham v Wolves (20:00 GMT)
Gary O'Neil did a good job in keeping Wolves safe last season, after Julen Lopetegui's departure three days before the campaign started threatened to derail things.
They finished 14th, 20 points above the relegation zone.
But this season they are 19th with just two wins from 14 games - and were demolished by fellow strugglers Everton during the week.
With 22 goals, they have scored more than some teams in the European places going into the weekend - but their 36 goals conceded is a league high.
Despite that he was nominated for November's manager of the month award.
BBC Radio WM reporter Mike Taylor said: "With exquisitely painful timing, the Premier League announced that Gary O'Neil had been nominated for the November manager of the month award, an hour or so before he was due at a press conference that most Wolves supporters assumed he would not still be in a position to take."
However O'Neil was not "sacked in the morning" as fans predicted after they had been singing that during the loss against Everton.
West Ham v Wolves (20:00 GMT)
Image source, PA MediaJustin Kluivert scored a hat-trick of penalties in Wolves' 4-2 home loss to Bournemouth
Wolves have conceded more goals than any other Premier League side this season, letting in 36 goals in their 14 games.
Their past two games have seen them lose 4-2 to Bournemouth and 4-0 to Everton - they most recently shipped four or more goals in three consecutive league games in September 1985.
West Ham v Wolves (20:00 GMT)
Image source, Getty ImagesSpeaking on Thursday, Wolves manager Gary O'Neil said: "I don't think about me personally, I think for the team and where we are in the league.
"I can only keep going until things change. As far as I am aware, I took training, players that started have recovered, players that didn't play have trained.
"The criticism is part and parcel. Maybe two weeks ago at Fulham [when we] scored four away everyone was happy to take the plaudits, but when it doesn't go well you need to stand up. My mentality won't change, I'll always front up."
West Ham v Wolves (20:00 GMT)
Mike Taylor
BBC WM commentator
Having installed Gary O'Neil at speed, and been pleased with the result, the club expressed their confidence in him with a new long contract just before this season started.
At Fulham, it looked as though this season might have been working out at last and Wolves - although still alarmingly prone to defensive lapses - might have the attacking verve to counter-punch their way out of trouble.
Five minutes into Saturday's game against Bournemouth, as Jorgen Strand Larsen headed in an excellent equaliser, you could still believe this. But there are not many believers around now.
There is no easy choice here. Wolves travelled a similar path just two years ago, when they learned that a managerial change can fix a broken season, but it comes with substantial costs.
New managers are in a stronger position to demand new players - and the club has told us many times since then how conscious they are of those.
Simply changing the coach will not repair the squad's weaknesses or stop the unpredictable errors. Few things cost a club more money than a change of manager - relegation is one of them.
West Ham v Wolves (20:00 GMT)
This is a big part of the season for both West Ham and Wolves, who meet at London Stadium.
Next up for Wolves is a home game against Ipswich Town, the team they can move above tonight, and then they play at Leicester City.
West Ham are away at Bournemouth and then home to Brighton in their next two games after this one.
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O'Neil being under pressure shows the madness of the PL. A fairly safe Prem team sells two top players in Neto and Kilman, bringing in around £100m. The manager doesn't get to replace them but is expected to produce a team that performs at the same level. A good coach made the scapegoat. A story too familiar.
Rich, New Forest
West Ham v Wolves (20:00 GMT)
Image source, BBC SportWest Ham make two changes to the side that started their 3-1 Premier League defeat at Leicester on 3 December. Crysencio Summerville and Emerson start as Vladimir Coufal and Danny Ings drop to the bench.
Defender Jean-Clair Todibo is also named as a substitute after overcoming an adductor issue.
West Ham XI: Fabianski, Wan-Bissaka, Mavropanos, Kilman, Emerson, Soucek, Alvarez, Bowen, Soler, Kudus, Summerville.
Subs: Areola, Cresswell, Coufal, Paqueta, Fullkrug, Guilherme, Ings, Rodriguez, Todibo.
Image source, BBC SportWolves make three changes to the side that began their 4-0 loss at Everton on 4 December.
Sam Johnstone replaces Jose Sa in goal, defender Nelson Semedo returns after serving a one-match suspension and Toti also comes in with Craig Dawson and Goncalo Guedes on the bench.
Wolves XI: Johnstone, Doherty, Toti Gomes, Bueno, Semedo, Ait Nouri, Andre, Lemina, J Gomes, Cunha, Larsen.
Subs: Bentley, Hwang, Dawson, R Gomes, Doyle, Forbs, Bellegarde, Guedes, Lima.
West Ham captain Jarrod Bowen, speaking to Sky Sports News, has just been speaking about Michail Antonio and said: "It has been one of those things you never think you will be involved in. Everyone loves Mic, he is big character and waiting for news on the Saturday was difficult.
"He is not just a team-mate, he is a friend and has been for many years. A dad as well to beautiful children. I just want to say thank you to all the support from everyone. As captain I've seen all the messages and support Mic has got.
"It is one of those things where life is bigger than football. The main thing is Mic is safe and well and here to tell the story. Saturday was a really difficult time. He is a warrior and a fighter, he always has been, and I know he will be back stronger for this."
West Ham v Wolves (20:00 GMT)
Image source, Getty ImagesFormer West Ham boss Slaven Billic speaking to Sky Sports News about Michail Antonio: "We were all in shock when we saw those pictures from the accident but thank God he's alright.
"Knowing Mikey because I signed him from Forest, 2015 and knowing his mentality, character and strength, I am sure he will come out on the winning side in this big battle.
"We are all glad that he's OK, that he is right. The recovery is going to be long of course but we all wish him all the best."
Bilic also thinks the incident will provide more motivation to the West Ham players and added: "You can say it like ‘the players are gonna do it for Michail’ a little bit, to motivate the players more."
West Ham United’s players will show their support for team-mate Michail Antonio at London Stadium tonight, following his road traffic accident on Saturday.
The Hammers striker underwent surgery on a lower limb fracture on Sunday, and is currently recovering in hospital.
A club statement said the player "remains in everyone’s thoughts as he continues his rehabilitation".
The statement added: "Everyone at the club would like to reiterate their heartfelt thanks to the first responders, emergency services, air ambulance staff and the NHS for the incredible support given to Michail in the wake of the accident.
"Ahead of Monday’s Premier League fixture against Wolverhampton Wanderers, which kicks-off at 8pm, the players will warm-up in special ‘Antonio 9’ shirts, as well as walking out in tops adorning the striker’s name.
"The Club will auction off the walk-out tops, with each one signed by every member of the squad, including Michail. In addition, every match-worn shirt from the Wolves fixture will also be auctioned, each signed by their respective squad member.
"All proceeds raised from the auction will be split between the NHS and Air Ambulances UK Charity, the national charity supporting the lifesaving work of the UK’s Air Ambulance charities. All proceeds will also be matched by the club’s board."
Image source, PA MediaMichail Antonio is West Ham's leading scorer in the Premier League era, with 68 goals in 268 league appearances.
Messages of support for Michail Antonio have flooded in with the Premier League and leading clubs such as Arsenal, Chelsea and Manchester City all responding to a Hammers' statement on X., external
Former clubs Southampton, Reading, Sheffield Wednesday and Colchester also wished Antonio a speedy recovery on social media, as did BBC presenter Gary Lineker on Saturday's edition of Match of the Day.
Jamaica manager Steve McClaren also sent a message on behalf of Antonio's international team-mates: "On behalf of the entire group of players, support staff and technical staff, I would like to wish Michail a speedy recovery. Our thoughts and prayers are with him at this time."
Antonio has appeared in all 14 of West Ham's matches in the Premier League this season, scoring his only goal in their 4-1 win over Ipswich on 5 October.
It is unclear how long his recovery will take.
Image source, PA MediaWest Ham striker Michail Antonio has undergone surgery on a lower limb fracture following his car crash on Saturday, the club has announced.
He will be "monitored in hospital over the coming days", the Hammers said in a statement and extended a "heartfelt thank you" to the emergency services and first responders who tended to him.
The 34-year-old Jamaica international had to be released from his car after being involved in an accident in Epping and was taken to a central London hospital.
West Ham said on Saturday evening that he was in a stable condition and was "conscious and communicating".
"Everyone at the club wishes Michail a speedy recovery and wishes to express sincere gratitude to the football family at large for the overwhelming support shown since yesterday's news," the West Ham statement continued.
"The club will provide further updates when appropriate."
Essex County Fire and Rescue Service said it had attended the scene of the accident on Saturday after receiving calls at 13:02 GMT and had released a man trapped in his car by 13:45.
The extent of Antonio's injuries were not revealed at that time.
Essex Police later said officers were investigating a serious crash involving a Ferrari and asked for witnesses to come forward, as well as those with dashcam footage of the incident.
Before we find out the team news from London Stadium, firstly an update on the main story concerning West Ham over the weekend...
Hello and welcome along to BBC Sport's live text commentary of the big match at the bottom of the Premier League as West Ham entertain Wolves. Kick-off at 20:00 GMT.
West Ham v Wolves (20:00 GMT)
West Ham manager Julen Lopetegui and Wolves boss Gary O'Neil are under huge pressure after disappointing starts to the season.
Both teams meet tonight at London Stadium with them desperately needing a victory, as do the bosses, whose jobs could be on the line.
Image source, Getty Images
Jarrod Bowen has scored six goals in 10 appearances in the Premier League against Wolves
West Ham edged to a narrow Premier League victory over struggling Wolves to ease the pressure on under-fire head coach Julen Lopetegui.
However, the result is only likely to increase the scrutiny over Gary O'Neil's position as Wolves manager, with his side remaining 19th in the table after three consecutive defeats.
Tomas Soucek's second-half header from Jarrod Bowen's corner had set the hosts on their way.
Matt Doherty had superbly levelled from Rayan Ait-Nouri's cross for the visitors, before Bowen scored West Ham's decisive second goal with a placed effort during a frenetic spell in the second-half.
In between, Hammers winger Mohammed Kudus correctly had a goal ruled out for offside following a video assistant referee (VAR) review, while Wolves appeared to have genuine complaints when Emerson's shove on Goncalo Guedes did not result in a penalty in their favour after a similar review.
O'Neil's side were further enraged by the manner of Bowen's winning goal with home defender Konstantinos Mavropanos seemingly fouling Wolves' Uruguayan centre-back Santiago Bueno in the build-up.
The result leaves West Ham 14th in the table, nine points clear of the bottom three.
Julen Lopetegui dedicates West Ham win to 'special guy' Antonio
The job security of both Lopetegui and O'Neil was one of the two dominant storylines before kick-off in a match dubbed 'El Sackico' on social media.
The other was the health of Michail Antonio, who is currently recovering from a serious car crash.
In a tense first half, the Hammers could have done with the finishing power of their all-time leading Premier League goalscorer, who was given a show of support by both the club's players and fans, before and during proceedings.
Bowen, Carlos Soler and Mavropanos all had opportunities to open the scoring for the hosts but were unable to break the deadlock against a determined Wolves, who came into the contest having conceded more goals than any other top-flight side.
However, Wolves' resistance was broken eight minutes with their Achilles heel - defending from corners - proving costly again as they shipped their eighth goal of the campaign from one.
Even in those circumstances there was a huge element of misfortune. Wolves' captain Mario Lemina was convinced the ball went out off Aaron Wan-Bissaka before the corner was awarded, and subsequent replays showed it did.
Lemina's frustration visibly boiled over at full-time when he was involved in a heated confrontation with Bowen, which resulted in a booking and other players dragging him away from the England forward.
The visitors will justifiably feel aggrieved by further decisions that went against them.
West Ham, whose last home victory over Manchester United also came after they were awarded a penalty that should not have been given, will be delighted to have enjoyed the rub of the green again in potentially pivotal fixture.
Gary O'Neil 'not concerned' about Wolves future
After the opportunity to rate players has closed, the score displayed represents the average from all the submissions by BBC Sport users.
| Position | Team | Played | Won | Drawn | Lost | Goals For | Goals Against | Goal Difference | Points | Form, Last 6 games, Oldest first |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 14 | 11 | 2 | 1 | 29 | 11 | 18 | 35 |
| |
| 2 | 15 | 9 | 4 | 2 | 35 | 18 | 17 | 31 |
| |
| 3 | 15 | 8 | 5 | 2 | 29 | 15 | 14 | 29 |
| |
| 4 | 15 | 8 | 3 | 4 | 27 | 21 | 6 | 27 |
| |
| 5 | 15 | 7 | 4 | 4 | 19 | 18 | 1 | 25 |
| |
| 6 | 15 | 7 | 4 | 4 | 23 | 23 | 0 | 25 |
| |
| 7 | 15 | 6 | 6 | 3 | 25 | 22 | 3 | 24 |
| |
| 8 | 15 | 7 | 3 | 5 | 23 | 20 | 3 | 24 |
| |
| 9 | 15 | 7 | 2 | 6 | 31 | 28 | 3 | 23 |
| |
| 10 | 15 | 6 | 5 | 4 | 22 | 20 | 2 | 23 |
| |
| 11 | 15 | 6 | 2 | 7 | 31 | 19 | 12 | 20 |
| |
| 12 | 15 | 5 | 5 | 5 | 19 | 21 | -2 | 20 |
| |
| 13 | 15 | 5 | 4 | 6 | 19 | 18 | 1 | 19 |
| |
| 14 | 15 | 5 | 3 | 7 | 20 | 28 | -8 | 18 |
| |
| 15 | 14 | 3 | 5 | 6 | 14 | 21 | -7 | 14 |
| |
| 16 | 15 | 3 | 5 | 7 | 21 | 30 | -9 | 14 |
| |
| 17 | 15 | 2 | 7 | 6 | 14 | 20 | -6 | 13 |
| |
| 18 | 15 | 1 | 6 | 8 | 14 | 27 | -13 | 9 |
| |
| 19 | 15 | 2 | 3 | 10 | 23 | 38 | -15 | 9 |
| |
| 20 | 15 | 1 | 2 | 12 | 11 | 31 | -20 | 5 |
|
Manager: Julen Lopetegui
Formation: 4 - 2 - 3 - 1
Manager: Gary O'Neil
Formation: 3 - 4 - 2 - 1
Manager: Julen Lopetegui
Formation: 4 - 2 - 3 - 1
Manager: Gary O'Neil
Formation: 3 - 4 - 2 - 1
Premier League
All competitions
All competitions
All competitions
West Ham have won their last four Premier League home games against Wolves, keeping a clean sheet each time. In their league history, only twice have they won five in a row at home without conceding against an opponent – vs Coventry (1919 to 1937) and Wolves (1920 to 1958).
Wolves won their first four Premier League games against West Ham following their return to the division in 2018, but have since lost six of their last eight against the Hammers (W2).
West Ham have won their last six Premier League home games played on a Monday, netting 2+ goals each time. Their last such defeat was in December 2019 against Arsenal (1-3).
Each of Wolves’ last five Premier League games played on a Monday have come away from home (W2 D1 L2), with Gary O’Neil winless in his three such games in charge of the Wanderers (D1 L2).
West Ham have conceded 71 goals in 33 Premier League games so far in 2024 – it’s their most league goals conceded in a single calendar year since 1976 (73 in 38 games).
Wolves have won four of their last six Premier League games in London (L2) after going winless in 14 straight such away trips between February 2022 and December 2023 (D3 L11).
Wolves have conceded more goals than any other Premier League side this season, shipping 36 times in their 14 games. Their last two games have seen them lose 4-2 to Bournemouth and 4-0 to Everton – they last shipped 4+ goals in three consecutive league games in September 1985.
West Ham’s Julen Lopetegui will be just the second manager to face Wolves in the Premier League having previously managed the club in the competition after Nuno Espírito Santo (W1 D2); his only previous experience of this fixture saw him win 1-0 at home with Wolves against the Hammers in January 2023.
Against no side has West Ham United’s Jarrod Bowen scored more Premier League goals than Wolves (5 – level with Brentford) with four of his five strikes against them coming at home, also his joint-favourite opponent to face at the London Stadium in the competition.
In last season’s Premier League, Wolves’ José Sá had the best goals prevented numbers of any keeper based on Opta’s expected goals on target faced metric (8.2 – 65.2 xGoT faced, 57 goals conceded). Based on the same metric this season, the Portuguese has conceded five goals more than expected (16 xGoT faced, 21 goals conceded).
