Wolves 1-0 West Ham: Joao Gomes enjoys perfect daypublished at 00:05
00:05
Alex Brotherton BBC Sport journalist
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Jorgen Strand Larsen scored the decisive goal as Wolves beat West Ham at Molineux, a win that increased the buffer between themselves and the relegation zone to 12 points.
The Norwegian striker has scored three goals in his past two games, but it was team-mate Joao Gomes who really stood out on Tuesday evening.
Earlier in the day, Brazil midfielder Gomes signed a new five-year contract with the club, and a few hours later he produced another terrific performance to celebrate.
The 24-year-old produced a series of mazy runs in the first half, one of which resulted in Strand Larsen finishing past Alphonse Areola.
Wolves lost control of the game in the second half as West Ham pushed with renewed enthusiasm, but Gomes showed a more combative side to his game to help see out the win.
'I feel like I belong to the family' - Pereirapublished at 23:57 1 April
23:57 1 April
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Wolves boss Vitor Pereira, speaking to BBC MOTD on win: "With merit. We deserve this result because we play 45 minutes with high quality. The result at half time must be 2-0 in my opinion. Second half we start to think about the result, they start to put more players on the pitch with different qualities to try to explore the crosses.
"In the end, after 80 minutes, we had to think about result and to get the three points. The team, we have true spirit as we showed today. In the moment we can play very good game with quality, but in other moments, especially this moment, we need to suffer together. We help each other and I feel this in my team."
On Jorgen Strand Larsen stepping up in Matheus Cunha absence: "You know why? Because we are a team. Matheus is part of team, and for sure with his quality he will help us. But, we are a team and we have very good players."
On Joao Gomes new contract being important: "I think so. He is young, has talent and has spirit I like."
On if gap to bottom three feels like enough: " No. The target is in our idea, we must play every game to get three points, to compete. If in the end we might not win but we need to feel proud of ourselves and make supporters proud because they are fantastic - this connection between us and the supporters."
On his connection with fans: "I'm very simple person. I feel like I belong to the family."
On receiving yellow card and trying to keep calm: "[I was] speaking with myself, speaking inside of me, taking care because I cannot keep going like this. I need to be focussed to help my team."
Able to enjoy at he end?: "Yes, fantastic feeling."
Wolves 1-0 West Ham: Did you know?published at 22:29 1 April
22:29 1 April
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Wolves have won 13 points since the start of February in the Premier League (W4 D1 L2), with only Liverpool (17) and Arsenal (14) winning more in that time.
In fact, only league leaders Liverpool (five) have more wins than Vitor Pereira's side (four) in this period.
Cunha 'could have just left it'published at 17:34 1 April
17:34 1 April
After a recent interview suggested Wolves forward Matheus Cunha wanted to "take the next step" and fight for titles, the Brazil international then went on social media to say the comments were misinterpreted.
Speaking on the BBC Radio WM Football Phone-In, former Aston Villa striker Garry Thompson feels Cunha did not have to respond to comments around the interview...
"Everyone knows he wants to leave - he's a quality player who is going to go to a bigger club.
"But when you've signed a new deal and they've paid you more money - and they've given you a new contract so they can demand more money for you - why would you say this now?
"This should be a period where he gets his head down and tries to contribute to the team getting results, and then at the end of the season look at the scenario which comes around then.
"Right now, it just doesn't make sense.
"It doesn't affect the way you treat them, because obviously they're still your team-mate, but some players might go to him and say: 'Why did you do that?'
"I had a situation at Cardiff in the last year of my contract where every weekend I was being asked if I was leaving and why I hadn't signed a new deal My answer was simple and what it should be: 'I'm focusing on my football, I haven't got time for anything else.'
"That is what Cunha should have said to whoever interviewed him about Wolves because it is a big part of the season, there are some big games coming up and he needs to be on form.
"The manager won't be happy he spoke like that either. It's a strange one."
'A stepping stone for ambition' - but can Wolves strive collectively?published at 11:46 1 April
11:46 1 April
Dazzling Dave Fan writer
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Wolves celebrated a special milestone on Friday, marking Steve Bull's 60th birthday. Bull's unmatched loyalty to the club feels like a relic of the past in modern football, where ambition far outweighs long-term commitment. His dedication to Wolves remains iconic, but the reality is stark - players like Bull may never emerge again.
In contrast, Wolves today seem more like a stepping stone for ambitious players looking to reach bigger clubs. Matheus Cunha, for instance, is already expected to move on this summer, reinforcing the perception that the club's custodians cannot match the ambition of their top talents.
When bigger opportunities arise, players inevitably leave, exposing Wolves' limitations.
While Cunha's creativity and technical skills stand out, it is worth questioning whether the team is stronger without relying on individual brilliance.
Recent performances - like Jean-Ricner Bellegarde and Jorgen Strand Larsen stepping up - show Wolves can thrive collectively. The squad's depth hints at potential, but also the inevitable transitions waiting ahead.
This summer is likely to bring significant changes, with key player sales expected to fund much-needed recruits.
Jorge Mendes' returning influence at the club alongside internal recruitment sparks some hope for strategic investment, potentially bringing in the quality required to stay competitive.
However, this optimism is dampened by larger concerns about the club's ambition. Chairman Jeff Shi's comments last summer - that Wolves are not a trophy-driven club - only deepen the frustration.
Such a mindset risks alienating players and supporters alike, raising doubts about Wolves' desire to compete at the highest level. The fans' patience with mediocrity is wearing thin, and continues to cast a shadow over the club's future.
As Wolves move toward the end of the season, all eyes will be on Cunha's potential departure, inevitable squad changes and the club's direction.
But unless the custodians show more ambition and think bigger, Wolves may remain nothing more than a waypoint for players with bigger dreams.
Cunha's comments 'indelicate but not a huge surprise'published at 09:31 1 April
09:31 1 April
Media caption,
Was Matheus Cunha out of line, or was his recent interview in which he seemed to imply he needed to leave the club "misinterpreted", as he suggested on Monday?
That was the debate on BBC Radio 5 Live's Monday Night Club, as Chris Sutton, Rory Smith and Joe Hart all slightly differed on their stance on the situation.
"He has probably said a few things that are indelicate and better off being said in June, but I don't think it will come as a huge surprise to Wolves fans," said New York Times chief football correspondent Smith. "It probably won't come as a surprise to Wolves' hierarchy either.
"But I think there have been a few instances this season that would make you pause around Cunha's character, given he has had two fairly spectacular tantrums. Would that put buyers off?
"It would feel like a giant cross, in my opinion, so I think he will get his move but it won't be where he might want it to be because of his disciplinary record."
Former Premier League striker Chris Sutton added: "He is just telling the truth and I think any player is entitled to turn around and say he doesn't want to be scratching around at the bottom of the table. But I agree that he should have waited."
Cunha said in an interview with the Observer that he has told Wolves he needs to "take the next step" and fight for titles in his career.
Ex-England goalkeeper Joe Hart acknowledged how Cunha was "very truthful" to say what he did, but there are bound to be "repercussions" for it.
"That is the route he has chosen to go down and everyone is entitled to answer questions," said Hart. "People get so frustrated with people not answering things truthfully but that sounds like he has been very truthful. The repercussions of that are difficult though for the club and team to accept."
Sutton's predictions: Wolves v West Hampublished at 08:35 1 April
08:35 1 April
Wolves have got a nine-point cushion above the bottom three but they still have a bit of work to do to make sure they are completely safe.
Their best player Matheus Cunha is still suspended, and he is such a big miss.
West Ham are only one place above Wolves, but are another eight points clear.
Their results have not been spectacular under Graham Potter but when I look at them, I do think they are improving - they came very close to beating Everton last time out, and actually deserved the three points there.
I'd like to pick a winner but I am not sure that will get me anywhere - this game smells of a draw.
Wolves v West Ham: Did you know?published at 07:20 1 April
07:20 1 April
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Wolves lost this fixture 2-1 in the 2023-24 season, but have not lost consecutive home league games against West Ham since a run of three between 1920 and 1922.
However, the Hammers have won seven of their past nine league games against Wolves, as many as they had in their previous 23.
Pereira on Cunha's ambition, Bellegarde and risk-taking footballpublished at 14:33 31 March
14:33 31 March
Tyrese King BBC Sport journalist
Wolves boss Vitor Pereira has been speaking to the media before Tuesday's Premier League game against West Ham (kick-off 19:45 BST).
Here are the key lines from his news conference:
On Brazil striker Matheus Cunha's future after comments he made to The Guardian newspaper about being ready to leave the club: "He knows his potential as a top player. For me, it's normal that he wants to fight for titles. It's natural. What's important is that he is committed to helping the club to achieve their targets until the end of the season."
Pressed on whether this means Cunha will leave in the summer: "Next season, I don't know [if Cunha stays]. The focus is the next game and the team, and Cunha is a part of the team. In the summer, we will see what happens but in my opinion, it is normal that a player of his potential is ambitious."
On whether Cunha will still play regularly for Wolves despite being linked to a move away: "If the training gives me the confidence to go with Cunha, I will go with Cunha because he has the quality to help us and he has already helped us a lot with goals and assists."
Pereira said his squad has "no new injuries" and that the players who have returned from the international break are "all in condition to play".
On Jean-Ricner Bellegarde: "I'm very happy for him. He's a team player. In the beginning, I had doubts about his position in the system but now he can play in different positions. He can play in midfield, he can play as a forward and he can play in between the lines. He's a worker, and I like these kind of players."
On Wolves' playing style: "I believe that footballers aren't machines. I don't want a robot team - I want a team with brains. There are moments in the game when we need to take risks and there are others when we don't. I want them to have the confidence to appear on the ball in the box to take risks."
On West Ham: "It's a big opportunity to get three points and to keep fighting for our supporters - to make them proud by playing with passion. We will face a strong team, technically and tactically. The work of the coach is very good. It's a team with confidence on the ball and high quality, but I have a fantastic team in a fantastic city."
Gossip: Cunha hints at Wolves exitpublished at 07:29 31 March
07:29 31 March
Brazil striker Matheus Cunha, 25, says he rebuffed offers to leave Wolves in the winter window, but has told the club he needs "to take the next step" in his career as he wants "to fight for titles, for big things". (Guardian), external
Premier League to have two summer transfer windowspublished at 13:57 27 March
13:57 27 March
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Premier League clubs have agreed the dates for the summer transfer window.
The window will open early, between Sunday 1 June and Tuesday 10 June, due to an exceptional registration period relating to the Fifa Club World Cup.
It will then reopen on Monday 16 June and close on Monday 1 September.
Bellegarde nominated for awardpublished at 12:44 27 March
12:44 27 March
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Wolves midfielder Jean-Ricner Bellegarde has been nominated for March's Premier League Player of the Month award.
In an unbeaten month for the side that saw them draw with Everton and beat bottom-of-the-table Southampton, the 26-year-old impressively stepped up in the absence of banned forward Matheus Cunha.
Bellegarde provided assists for all three of Wolves' goals in the league this month and helped the team move nine points clear of the relegation zone heading into the final weeks of the season.
Still chance for Silva to sparkle at Wolves?published at 16:16 26 March
16:16 26 March
Mike Taylor BBC Radio WM reporter
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This week, we start at The Hawthorns, of all places, where Fabio Silva scored for Portugal Under-21s against England on Monday. Quirks like that make you wonder if football really does follow a mischievous cosmic script.
Wolves' strategy these days depends on long-term bets, to some extent, signing players early in their careers in the hope that they will make the club a fortune when they mature.
If their investment in Silva, whose eight La Liga goals this season have helped maintain Las Palmas' hopes of avoiding relegation, does one day result in Wolves turning a profit, then Molineux's food kiosks could serve humble pie with every order.
But good for him - before Wolves started loaning him out, he often seemed an innocent abroad and he was put in an impossible position, which he was by no means ready for.
"I cannot answer that because my focus now is to be in Las Palmas," he told the Express and Star on Monday night when asked about his future.
His Wolves contract has one more year to run, and it would be a new height of irony if his talent finally flourishes just as his contract ends.
"I always try to go where I feel happy. I think that is the most important thing - to play football and be happy. It is what I love to do," he added.
On the same dismal day Wolves conceded three penalties against Bournemouth, Silva was scoring Las Palmas' winner away to Barcelona - so no wonder he felt good.
However it ends, the Wolves-Silva story demonstrates just what a tricky policy this is - and yet the logic remains impeccable.
Silva's cost made his an extreme case, and the outlays on individual young players - Rodrigo Gomes and Pedro Lima last summer, for example - have since been more modest.
In the long run, it would only need one in every few of these bets to develop into a £50m-plus rated property to cover the costs, and you would have the benefit of their talent while they improved.
It seems the only realistic way to reach the overall aim of financial self-sustainability. But, outside the boardroom, football has never judged success in the long run. Managers are judged on their most recent game and they often only want to talk about the next one.
However, once safety is assured, another challenging summer lies ahead. The club will be searching for long-term returns while remaining strong enough to cope with the perils of the present.
Who knows what will happen between now and the long run - as the four managers who have left Wolves since the club signed Silva could probably attest?
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