Tomas Soucek’s goal proved to be the difference as West Ham United secured a 1-0 home victory against Wolves on Sunday to keep their top-four hopes alive.
West Ham United earned a hugely important victory as they came out on top 1-0 in a cagey affair against Wolves on Sunday afternoon, courtesy of Tomas Soucek’s second-half goal on his birthday.
It was nothing more than what David Moyes’ side deserved from the game, given the plethora of chances they created – only to see some sloppy finishing stopping them from making the scoreline even more comfortable.
A heavily-rotated Wolves side lacked inventiveness throughout as they succumbed to back-to-back league defeats putting a spanner in their European qualification hopes. Despite enjoying a good spell in the opening exchanges, Wolves barely tested Lukasz Fabianski in the West Ham goal all game.
Soon after, West Ham took control of possession and engineered some chances, with Aaron Cresswell coming close with a free-kick breezing past the post and Michail Antonio’s strong effort getting denied by Jose Sa. The Hammers continued to create openings, with Declan Rice curling a long-range strike against the framework.
The hosts eventually broke the deadlock through a scruffy goal when Soucek slotted home from close range from an Antonio cross. Following that, the David Moyes’ troops withstood Wolves’ pressure valiantly to see out an important victory, which moved them up to fifth – two points behind fourth-placed Manchester United. The Hard Tackle will now run the rule over West Ham.
Lukasz Fabianski: 6/10
The Polish shot-stopper had little to do throughout the game as the visitors lacked any substance in their attack and could only muster a single shot on target. Fabianski looked comfortable while claiming the looping crosses into the box and commanded his box well enough to get a deserved clean sheet.
Ben Johnson: 6/10
The young full-back did not put a foot wrong defensively and burst forward on many occasions, overlapping past Jarrod Bowen to good effect. While he put in some dangerous balls, not a single of nine attempted crosses found its target, resembling his poor end-product.
Kurt Zouma: 9/10
Kurt Zouma’s game by numbers vs Wolves:
100% tackles won (2/2)
87% pass accuracy (34/39)
83% duels won (5/6)
62 touches
11 clearances
4 blocks
3 interceptions
2 ball recoveries
1 clean sheetClosed on Sundays. ❌ pic.twitter.com/YcxfnGBamH
— Statman Dave (@StatmanDave) February 27, 2022
A superb display at the heart of the defence from the Frenchman as he barely gave Wolves a sight at goal. Made a fantastic last-ditch challenge to deny Fabio Silva and kept the Portuguese striker in his pocket throughout the game. He made vital interventions to snuff out whatever little danger Wolves created and ended the game with match-high 11 clearances and four blocked shots. A fantastic all-around showing.
Craig Dawson: 6/10
Dawson did not have the best of games as he struggled against the buzzing Wolves attackers around him but thankfully had Zouma alongside him to save his blushes. He was strong in the air, winning three aerial duels. He also made nine clearances, playing his part in preserving the clean sheet.
Aaron Cresswell: 7/10
Cresswell put on a steady overall performance as he went close to scoring with a fizzing free-kick early on. He played his part in the build-up to Soucek’s goal and provided a lot going forward with his driving runs. He was also very sound defensively and ended the game with three tackles, three interceptions and three clearances.
Declan Rice: 7.5/10
Rice looked back to his usual dominating self in central midfield after some rare below-par performances from the Hammers talisman. He put on a strong performance in the middle of the park. He almost scored a long-range screamer from outside the box in the first half, only to be denied by the woodwork.
Typically commanding, he broke up the opposition’s play, initiated turnovers, made precise passes and utilised his athleticism and strength to make sure the Irons win the midfield battle with flying colours.
? | A wholesome post-match interview with Declan Rice and Tomas Soucek:
"It's like a love story this." ❤️?#WHUFC | #COYIpic.twitter.com/XXy94xfSqe
— West Ham Now (@WestHamNow_) February 27, 2022
Tomas Soucek: 7/10
The Czech midfielder showed good energy, enthusiasm and, as usual, covered every inch of grass. Soucek also showcased rare progressiveness with his passing as the Irons seized control of the midfield battle. Popped up with the decisive goal, poking home from Antonio’s cross after some fine movement in the box.
Manuel Lanzini: 7/10
Given the start ahead of Said Benrahma, Lanzini did not disappoint by any means. A very intelligent and forward-thinking operator, the Argentine floated around in the attacking third to pick out some very promising positions and combined with other attackers in his vicinity very well. He had a few nice touches and moments of close control but lacked that killer pass.
Jarrod Bowen: 5/10
A rare quiet evening in the office from Jarrod Bowen, who looked off-colour and frustrated throughout the game apart from some decent runs in behind. He should have put the game to bed with a presentable opportunity in the second half. The Englishman did not pose a great deal of danger beyond that, even though West Ham were in firm control of the proceedings.
Pablo Fornals: 7.5/10
?? Pablo Fornals vs Wolves:
• 90 minutes played
• 80% pass accuracy
• 2 key passes
• 2/3 long balls completed
• 1 big chance created
• 3/4 dribbles completed
• 8/11 ground duels won
• 1/1 aerial duels won
• 5 tackles won
• 2 interceptions made pic.twitter.com/H7Kt0dIKo0— West Ham Central (@central_louis) February 27, 2022
Fornals had a busy evening as he ran his socks off for the benefit of his team. Tidy in possession, the Spaniard was a bit anonymous at the start but grew into the game and was instrumental in the goal with a lovely flick. He also created a great chance for Bowen in the second half and looked full of intent, energy and tenacity, putting in a real shift for his teammates.
Michail Antonio: 7/10
Antonio has been struggling for goals of late and was unfortunate not to get on the score sheet on multiple occasions to break his mini-drought. But he was very proactive in West Ham’s attacks and carved out numerous chances for his side, including the all-important assist for Soucek’s goal.
Up against one of the tightest defences in the division, the Jamaican attacker caused plenty of problems and constantly asked questions of the Wolves’ backline. He also put in a tireless shift, running the channels and showed great hold-up play late on to give his side a sigh of relief amidst relentless pressure from the visitors.
Michail Antonio’s game by numbers vs Wolves:
100% tackles won
100% aerial duels won
100% take-ons successful
4 ball recoveries
4 chances created
2 shots
1 assistA crucial contribution. ?️? pic.twitter.com/TVsiI3ina2
— Statman Dave (@StatmanDave) February 27, 2022
SUBSTITUTES
Nikola Vlasic: N/A
Did not play enough to warrant a rating.
Issa Diop: N/A
Did not play enough to warrant a rating.
