Four games into their 2026/27 EFL Championship campaign, the Hammers are finally off the mark thanks to a thrilling 4-2 victory over Wolverhampton Wanderers at London Stadium on Tuesday evening.
“It was a much-needed win,” smiled Nuno Espírito Santo after Divine Mukasa’s destructive double plus Jarrod Bowen’s penalty and a Konstantinos Mavropanos strike helped secure West Ham United’s first league win of the season against his former club. “We were dominant with lots of attacking actions and were much more effective. We now want to go in that direction and grow and improve.”
Following on from Saturday’s dismally drab draw at Watford, nothing suggested that the shot-shy Hammers were about to serve up a goal-feast during an opening half-hour in which Wolves had looked most likely to score.
But out of the blue, former Academy of Football starlet Mukasa – having returned on-loan from Manchester City – let fly with a 25-yarder that sizzled under José Sá’s right-hand angle.
Three minutes before the break, Fer López carelessly tripped Joêl Piroe, enabling Bowen to convert the consequent spot-kick, ahead of the breaking Marshall Munetsi reducing the deficit with just seconds of the first-half remaining.
“We need to correct our mistakes with focus, concentration and determination. There are still lots of things to work on but we must get there,” insisted the Hammers head coach, who was then relieved to see Mukasa double his tally on 53 minutes with a deflected 18-yarder that looped over Sá.
“I was delighted with the way Divine played today. Not only for his two goals but for his positioning in the middle of the park and his distribution, support and defensive work. But all the young lads have brought us energy - they’re talented but they need time, trust confidence and support, too.”
Midway through the second-half, Mavropanos lashed home Arne Engels’ inswinging corner at the second attempt before unfortunately then sliding into his own net with 20 minutes remaining.
There was still time for Norway U21 international winger Edvin Austbø – a reported £10million signing from Viking FK – to make a cameo appearance from the bench and, post-match, Nuno also confirmed the Deadline Day, loan-signing of Brazilian defender Morato from another former club, Nottingham Forest.
“Balancing the squad, we needed bodies and physicality in the back-line so Morato will help us a lot,” he concluded ahead of Saturday’s London Stadium encounter with Derby County (kick-off 3pm). “I’ve worked with him before - he’s a top professional and a talented player.
“As managers we always want much, much more in transfer windows but as a club we’ve been patient in trying to identify the right talent. We’ve needed characters. Sure, I would’ve loved to have got the new players here sooner but we’ll keep working, stay positive and gel.”
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