Wolves ease past West Ham to keep up impressive campaign

Marko Arnautovic gets on the ball for West Ham (Reuters)

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.

AP

PREVIEW

What time does it start?

Wolves vs West Ham kicks off at 7.45pm.

Where can I watch it?

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

Form guide…

Wolves: WLWLWD

West Ham: LDWWLL

Odds…

Wolves to win: 11/10

West Ham to win: 11/4

Draw: 5/2

(Odds provided by Betfair)

Key Points

• Wolves XI; Rui Patricio, Doherty, Coady, Bennett, Jonny, Neves, Saiss, Dendoncker, Moutinho, Jota, Jimenez.
• West Ham XI: Fabianski, Zabaleta, Ogbonna, Diop, Masuaku, Rice, Noble, Snodgrass, Anderson, Antonio, Arnautovic.

[29 January 2019 19:27 · Harry Latham-Coyle]

A lovely touch in the programme at the Emirates Stadium this evening. 

[29 January 2019 19:28 · Harry Latham-Coyle]

[29 January 2019 19:31 · Harry Latham-Coyle]

​Marko Arnautovic returns to the West Ham team after a, well, interesting couple of weeks. Wolves are the hosts for a mid-table meeting tonight.

[29 January 2019 19:36 · Harry Latham-Coyle]

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.

[29 January 2019 19:41 · Harry Latham-Coyle]

Five minutes until kick-off in the quartet of early games...

[29 January 2019 19:43 · Harry Latham-Coyle]

[29 January 2019 19:46 · Harry Latham-Coyle]

A minute of silence around the grounds as the footballing world comes together in thought of Emiliano Sala and pilot David Ibbotson.

The early games are underway.

[29 January 2019 19:48 · Harry Latham-Coyle]

Wolves 0-0 West Ham, 2 minutes

Early shouts for a penalty at Molineux as Diogo Jota tumbles in the area, but they are swiftly denied.

[29 January 2019 19:49 · Harry Latham-Coyle]

GOAL! Huddersfield 0-1 Everton (Richarlison, 3 minutes)

Disastrous start for Jan Siewert and Huddersfield!

Everton attack well and Tom Davies cuts back for Richarlison, who has his first shot repelled well but is on hand to turn in the rebound.

[29 January 2019 19:49 · Harry Latham-Coyle]

GOAL! Fulham 0-1 Brighton (Glenn Murray, 3 minutes)

​Brighton lead!

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.