Wolves ease past West Ham to keep up impressive campaign
Marko Arnautovic marked his return to West Ham's team by getting injured and leaving Molineux on crutches after a 3-0 loss at Wolverhampton Wanderers in the Premier League on Tuesday.
Arnautovic missed West Ham's last two games after he was tempted to accept a lucrative offer from a Chinese club. On Friday, he said he was staying at the London club and signed a new contract.
He was recalled by West Ham manager Manuel Pellegrini but didn't finish the match after hobbling off in the 77th minute with a leg injury following a tackle from Wolves midfielder Ruben Neves. He was wearing a protective boot as he left the stadium.
Raul Jimenez's late double inspired Wolves to an ultimately comfortable victory after West Ham goalkeeper Lukasz Fabianski threatened to frustrate the hosts.
Romain Saiss opened the scoring with a header from a corner in the 66th, before Jimenez took his tally to 12 goals for the season with strikes in the 80th and 86th minutes.
Wolves climbed to seventh place in the Premier League. West Ham lost three days after exiting the FA Cup at the hands of third-tier struggler AFC Wimbledon.
It has been two days of twists, turns and tumult in the North West, with Rafa Benitez stirring the pot yesterday with some choice words about his future (or lack thereof) with the club.
Perhaps the timing of positive news on the transfer-front is a little too convenient, then. Newcastle host Manchester City this evening:
An opportunity for Manchester City to put the pressure on Liverpool tonight, with Jurgen Klopp's side welcoming Leicester to Anfield tomorrow night. City move to within a point of the top of the table with victory this evening.
It is a good run and cross from right-back Martin Montoya pushing forward, curling on to the head of Glenn Murray, who directs his header well in to the far corner.
The match will not be shown live in the UK. Highlights will be shown on Match of the Day at 10.20pm on Wednesday on BBC One.
It’s a big game for…
Lukasz Fabianski: The Polish goalkeeper has had a brilliant season in net for West Ham and, following their humbling at the weekend, his performance on Tuesday will be of even greater importance in helping the Hammers get back to winning ways.
The goalkeeper is in form between the sticks (Getty)
Weird stat…
8: West Ham are unbeaten in their last eight Premier League games played on a Tuesday.
Remember when…
Liam Brady scored a superb solo goal in West Ham’s 4-0 win over Wolves in May 1990.
Player to watch…
Diogo Jota: Jota has five goals in his last five Premier League games after failing to score in his first 13 appearances in the league and he will be hoping to keep this rich vein of form running.
Past three-meetings…
West Ham 0 Wolves 1 (Traore), Premier League, September 2018
West Ham 1 (Jelavic) Wolves 0, FA Cup, January 2016
West Ham 2 (Zubar OG, Sears) Wolves 0, Premier League, January 2011
