Wolves earned a much-needed boost in the Premier League as Rob Edwards claimed a first victory as head coach, beating West Ham 3-0 at Molineux, with the result lifting pressure on the team and energising
home supporters.
The hosts secured their first Premier League win of the season through early strikes from Jhon Arias, Hwang Hee-Chan and teenager Mateus Mane, while West Ham’s poor league form continued, extending a worrying run without a victory to nine matches.
Arias opened the scoring after just four minutes, registering Wolves' quickest Premier League goal of the campaign, before Hwang and Mane both struck before half-time, as Edwards’ side delivered a controlled display and rarely allowed West Ham any sustained pressure.
Hwang produced one of the standout individual contributions, as the forward both scored and provided an assist in an English top-flight match for the first time, underlining an influential role in attack during a confident Wolves performance against struggling opponents.
Mane, aged 18 years and 109 days, added the third goal and, after promising displays against Liverpool and Manchester United, became Wolves' youngest scorer in a Premier League fixture, giving the crowd another reason to celebrate a significant evening.
West Ham’s defeat meant the Hammers are now without a league win in nine Premier League games, with four draws and five losses, their longest such streak since the final nine matches of the 2010-11 season, when the club were ultimately relegated from the top flight.
Wolves vs West Ham Premier League reaction from Rob Edwards
Edwards stressed the performance reflected steady progress over recent weeks and welcomed a return of four points from the latest two league fixtures, praising both the squad and the supporters for their response during a challenging start to the season.
"We have been improving and progressing, and you saw that today, he said.It is another step in the right direction, that is all it was, and it is nice it has culminated in a win. It was a complete performance. I feel we are progressing and building in the right way. We have had a good week with four points. The lads have been all in. Big credit to them and huge credit to the supporters. That was for them today. Football is always stressful and, with 30 seconds to go, I started allowing myself the chance to enjoy it. "
pic.twitter.com/AYhbYlk9y9Wolves (@Wolves) January 3, 2026
Wolves vs West Ham Premier League focus on young talent and defensive concerns
Edwards highlighted Mane’s impact and maturity, noting how the forward has quickly connected with the fanbase, while West Ham’s defensive problems deepened after conceding 41 league goals in 20 matches, their highest total at this stage of a top-flight season since 1965-66, when they had allowed 44.
"It has given everyone a lift, you can hear the fans singing his name,Edwards said of the teenager. We have to make sure we look after him. He has had a really impressive couple of weeks, and it was a fantastic goal today. He has a great attitude. He will take risks at the right time, but at the same time, he is all about the team. He has been really impressive so far. "
Defender Konstantinos Mavropanos expressed regret to West Ham’s away support and acknowledged the seriousness of the club’s position near the bottom half of the table, after another heavy defeat left confidence fragile and questions over how the squad responds in upcoming fixtures.
"I want to apologise to the fans because, week in week out, they support us and this is unacceptable,defender Konstantinos Mavropanos told Sky Sports. We just have to work harder, and we have to realise the situation that we're in. There is only one way to solve the situation, and it's up to us. "
The result gave Wolves renewed belief after a difficult opening to the campaign, with Edwards encouraged by signs of development from senior players and emerging talents, while West Ham left Molineux needing a swift improvement to halt a damaging domestic slide.
