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West Ham thrash Wolves 4-0 to put Tottenham in relegation zone for first time in 17 years

A step towards survival as West Ham thrash bottom club Wolves 4-0 to put Tottenham in the relegation zone for first time in 17 years.

West Ham moved up to 17th with Castellanos and Mavropanos both scoring twice, and it could have been a bigger scoreline.

Wolves however are now 15 points from safety, and should they be defeated in their next two matches and Forest pick up just one point in their next four games, they are down.

Relegation is also confirmed, even sooner than that as per BBC Sport, the 18th of April, if Wolves lose their next game against Leeds and Forest gain four points, Spurs get three points and Leeds earn one more from their next three fixtures.

Wolves boss Rob Edwards speaking to BBC Match of the Day: “I think we started the game really well, the first 10-12 minutes, we could have been better with our final product. I was relatively pleased but there were things that we could have done better at. Going 1-0 down late on in the half was frustrating but it wasn’t the end of the world. We felt we could go and get back into the game.

“The two quick fire goals killed us. They punished our mistakes and that killed the game. We make those errors, they robbed us of the ball from a couple of our best players, it can happen, but there is a lot to happen still after we lose it.

“For it to happen in such quick succession it is almost game over. We tried to get back in it, we put more forwards on and changed the shape and had a go, but it was a difficult night the last 20-20 minutes after what happened.

“I’ll have a look back before I say anything. I don’t want to get myself in trouble. In the first half I was disappointed because I didn’t think it was a free kick on the keeper when Armstrong was pressing. That was one thing I was asking at half time. When Joao [Gomes] went down for the third goal I thought it was a foul there but I need to see it back.

“It feels tough. I felt really good in the game, even at 1-0 down I thought we would get back into it. Then they score two qucik fire and the game ran away, but no I didn’t see it coming. It happened, that’s the reality and we’ve got to respond well.

Edwards speaking to Sky Sports: “Yes it did come as a surprise. We’re bitterly disappointed. I thought the performance in the first half was good and we started really well. Goign 1-0 down can happen, we talked about making sure we finish attacks better. Then two quick fire goals, they latched onto our mistakes and then the game is done. You give them credit but it is poor from us. So what started looking like it could be a positive night ended up being really difficult.

“It doesn’t matter who makes the mistakes, we make them as a team. A couple of our best players have been robbed of the ball, it can happen, there is still a lot to do. It’s a collective and they took advantage of those tonight.

“For us it is the same message. We have to try to finish strong, respect every game and go for it. We are all under the microscope and we have to make sure we perform. Tonight is strange because we did, and then we got punished in the second half. We’ve got to make sure that we respond now at Elland Road.

“I don’t think it’s helped 25 days not playing, but it’s not an excuse. I won’t make any excuses. In the end we got punished for our mistakes and West Ham won the game deservedly. Tonight we’ve got to lick our wounds, take the medicine, take the criticism, then come back and respond well.”

West Ham boss Nuno Espirito Santo speaking to Sky Sports: “We are happy, extremely happy. All of us deserve this kind of evening, especially our fans. London Stadium today was amazing, bouncing with energy and helping us in the hard parts. The first half was tough. We didn’t find spaces, the game didn’t flow, but we were there. Then after the break we really improved.”

On the timing of the first goal: “It changes everything. It changes the dynamic of the half time talk. The players keept their calmness and understood and did an amazing second half. Much, much improved [in the second half], not only on the ball but off the ball. We stopped them from breaking us in the middle. It was positive.”

On the front two: “We played many times in this shape before the injuries with these players, and it was too bad it did not follow on. I think we still have time to improve the way we want to do things in this shape. The hard work is more important sometimes, off the ball all the team was spot on.”

On the Disasi-Mavropanos partnershp: “They know each other better, so the communication has improved a lot. The full-backs have also helped a lot, especially when they put the big striker and the balls into the box, but the team was ok.”

On showing fight: “We spoke after the game and the way we did it tonight proved to ourselves that we cannot give up. That was the team spirit from the beginning. Never give up, we are in the fight. I realise we have a lot of work to do yet. We made a big step today, important for us, but nothing has changed.”

West Ham captain Jarrod Bowen speaking to Sky Sports:

“A lot easier coming and speaking tonight on the end of a 4-0 win and out the relegation zone, we knew what was at stake before the game. It was a bit cagey the first half, a lot of nerves in the first half a game o this magnitude but there’s highs and lows in games and it’s about sticking together and showing our quality like we did in the second half.

“You play before everyone else around you plays. Everyone looks at results and your position. All you can do is focus on yourself. We’re in a situation we don’t want to be in but you have to face up to it and tonight was about facing up to it. We knew there would be difficult moments in the game but we’re sat here now with a 4-0 win.

“I just try and put the ball in an area, he [Mavrapanos] has great timing. It wasn’t pretty but as soon as I got half a yard I just wanted to put the ball in the box. The timing and leap he has got – the first goal always settles things.

“Games like this can be decided by set pieces. It’s something we’ve been good at over the years and we have this season too.

“At half time I just said let’s stay clam, there was a but of frustration, giving the ball away, a few mis-controls and it was a bit edgy, a bit nervy. Main message was to stick together as a team, we knew it will be a game where three points are vital, we’re 45 mins from three points that would mean the world to us. We have to show our quality a bit more and we could’ve been better in the final third.

“There was opportunity to score more and really put a statement out there. But we’ve got a clean sheet as well and four goals.

“For me I have such a big love and affiliation for this club. It hurts to be in the position we’re in and I know I haven’t done enough individually to get us out of it. Each week it’s about trying to play my A-game, try and score and get assists. The two boys got the goals and I want to contribute every single week – I hit the post tonight but the team are more important, the situation is more important and I want to get us out of it.

“I’ll watch the games. I’ve got three kids to entertain but I will keep an eye on the games. We have a bit of time before game against Palace then go again.

“The spirit, the togetherness is so important in this situation. You can always have quality but you need grit and desire and a will to win through the whole squad. The only thing we know as a club is to keep fighting and doing what we’re doing and take it into the next six games.”

Wolves defender Ladislav Krejci speaking to Sky Sports:

“From the beginning I felt we were the better team. We had more space, we were better on the ball. From some moment in the first half we stopped moving and finding the right solution. We let them score and the second half from our mistakes we gave them the chances. It’s unacceptable how many goals we conceded. From our side we apologise to the fans – not just for this game but this situation doesn’t help us in the table. We could’ve got closer but we did not.

“The situation that we created, we gave them the chance to score – that’s from our side. I don’t want to point fingers because everybody was there. We cannot do it at this level.”

Does this make survival impossible? “I don’t know – my full focus and others in the club was that this game was the one which changed the whole thing. It didn’t happen so let’s meet next week again and try to find a solution if it’s there.”

West Ham defender Konstantinos Mavropanos speaking to BBC Match of the Day: “These kind of wins give us a big boost for the rest of the season because we have been working really hard. We got some really good results in the past games and today again we saw the great effort with our fans at home, clean sheet. I think it was a perfect performance.

“We said that we have to stay calm throughout the game because Wolves have some good players. We stuck together and scored the first goal and in the second half we saw more of our work and we scored more goals.”

On two more goals for him: “I’m just happy to help the team to get results like that. With all the lads and the staff we have been working really hard to score from the set pieces. In the last games we got some really good goals through set pieces, so we are just happy to get these extra goals as well.”

On showing spirit and character: “Yes exactly. With these fans and the effort that we showed we just have to keep the momentum and we will be fine.”

Here’s how fans reacted after West Ham thrash Wolves 4-0 to put Tottenham in the relegation zone for first time in 17 years…

@WestHamJoshV: He wasn’t the name anyone wanted as a signing and he may not be the best striker West Ham could have had but credit where it’s due Castellanos brings a work ethic and effort West Ham haven’t had in their striker for a long time. Fully deserved the goals tonight against Wolves.

@WestHamJoshV: If West Ham stay in the Premier League, the club need to find the money to sign Disasi on a permanent basis. Massively underrated defender. Reminds of Winston Reid, no nonsense but quality on the ball.

@whuchr: Wow that is huge, from 12 points behind to 2 points ahead of Spurs. Proud of the boys nervy start but not bottling it like we usually in a big game takes courage. Mavro is just ridiculously good, Like seriously wth.

@xabdullah126: Where is taty and pablo haters now? 😂😂😂

@baracca47:
Must win, did win. Well done lads.
A shaky first half but blew them away after the break. Important to have a clean sheet. Created plenty of opportunities. Tottenham in the mud.
An excellent start to the weekend. Onto Palace.
#COYI #WestHam ⚒️

@JoshIsDaBoss5: 4 goals and Spurs in the relegation zone? What more could you ask for?

@rickwhufc: THAT is how we play! Every player to a man & the coaching staff need top praise tonight because that was perfect, play like that & we won’t have any problems whatsoever 👏🏻 Brilliant to a man, Taty/Dinos two goals, Bowen two assists & Pablos assist 😗 Massive win 💪🏻⚒️🫧

@ZaynafamilyMary: My favourite part was Taty strolling around the pitch for his well deserved standing ovation and Mav scores again and they all run over to Taty, it’s a classic moment that will stay with me for years to come.❤️🇦🇷 🇬🇷⚒️

@NiceGuyKenny: Whilst it would be hilarious to see Tottenham go down it would also be well funny to see West Ham go down on 43 points, beating the previous highest tally of 42 to go down. Set by West Ham in 2003.

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