David Moyes is the kind of manager who likes to feel the heat of the game on the touchline but he could probably get used to this wonderful new feeling over the recent weekend as his players went on cruise control to wreck Nuno’s plans for the new season with a crushing 4-0 win oveer a hapless Wolves side.
Forced to self-isolate after testing positive for Covid-19 last week, West Ham’s manager settled down and watched his players hurl lightning bolts at their rivals as the storm clouds gathered, crushing Wolves with a performance built on superb tactical nous and skill.
It was typical West Ham to stir just when the storm clouds were gathering, deservedly collecting their first points of the season despite their manager and two players, Issa Diop and Josh Cullen, being in quarantine.
Against all expectations it was Wolves who were made to look meek and shambolic, collapsing unexpectedly as West Ham triumphed at the end of a week in which their co-owner, David Sullivan, managed to steal the limelight by going on to a radio program to issue a warning that there might not be any signings before the transfer window shuts next Monday.
It was assistant boss Alan Irvine took the strain at the London Stadium with coach Stuart Pearce sitting by the phone to stay in contact with Moyes, who tested positive for Covid-19 ahead of a Carabao Cup tie against Hull last week. At home on the sofa, probably with his feet up and the widescreen TV turned to BT Sports, with refreshment in hand, Moyes was able to feast on his team’s display against Wolves, a second victory in six days since he was ordered into isolation.
‘Very bad,’ said Nuno. ‘Unbalanced, disorganised, losing duels. Offensively, we didn’t create, we were not able to break West Ham. Every counter-attack was a chance at goal and it created anxiety in the team. Not good at all, very disappointing.’
Jarrod Bowen scored twice as West Ham registered their first Premier League win of the season against a disappointing Wolves side, with the result lifting the Hammers from 18th up to 10th in the table, with Wolves dropping down to 16th.
Dominant throughout, they rarely looked like relinquishing their lead once Bowen had opened the scoring at the London Stadium.