West Ham boss Julen Lopetegui gets potentially job-saving win as Wolves boss Gary O’Neil left on the brink

12/09/2024 05:02 PM

Julen Lopetegui may have been offered a reprieve as West Ham beat Wolves at home in a crucial Premier League clash.

Jarrod Bowen was the Hammers hero at the London Stadium as his excellent strike ensured they won 2-1 on Monday night.

It’s a result that could alleviate the pressure on Lopetegui, who talkSPORT has reported has been on the brink in east London, with Graham Potter, David Moyes and Max Allegri all linked with his job.

West Ham gave him the match against Wolves as an opportunity for him to turn their fortunes around, something he may well have done.

A tedious first half display from both sides ensured it was 0-0 at the break, although the hosts had more chances to score.

They found the breakthrough on 54 minutes when Bowen’s high cross found Tomas Soucek, whose looping header bounced into the net.

Wolves equalised midway through the second half through Matt Doherty as he swept in from a Rayan Ait-Nouri cross.

However, the score was level for just three minutes as Bowen restored West Ham’s lead by firing in from the edge of the area.

Lopetegui will surely feel an immense sense of relief as his side sealed what was their fifth Premier League win of the season.

However, his counterpart Gary O’Neil could well be approaching the end of his Wolves tenure following a third consecutive defeat.

The ex-Bournemouth boss is battling to save his job at Molineux with the club sitting in the relegation zone.

Defeat against West Ham has swiftly followed on from their 4-0 thrashing by Everton last week, leaving many fans disgruntled.

Supporters booed him after the full-time whistle at Goodison Park, with Wolves having only two wins to their name all season.

Potter has also been linked with the Wolves job, however, talkSPORT understands he would prefer the role at West Ham.

West Ham’s win has them sitting 14th and just one point behind Manchester United, as well as two adrift of rivals Tottenham.

Their players showed their support for Michail Antonio before the match following the striker’s serious car crash at the weekend.

They wore shirts with his name and the no.9 on the back during the warm-ups after the striker underwent surgery on a ‘lower limb fracture’.

Bowen also lifted Antonio’s shirt during his celebrations for the winner in what was a classy moment.