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JULEN LOPETEGUI may have initially bested Gary O’Neil, but he could soon find himself at the employment office next to him.
In the aftermath of last week’s significant loss to Everton, O’Neil suggested that his exit was near, and following the recent defeat in ‘El Sackico,’ his destiny now appears to be determined.
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Jarrod Bowen may have secured his path to success by scoring the decisive goal after Matt Doherty equalized in response to Tomas Soucek’s opening strike.
Both goalscorers for West Ham showed their solidarity with Michail Antonio, supporting him following his devastating car accident on Saturday.
Tempers flared in the Wolves camp at full-time when Mario Lemina confronted Bowen, refusing to shake his hand and instead pushing away teammates and a club staff member.
At least Wolves can find comfort in avoiding a fourth goal against them, having suffered that fate in their last two outings prior to their visit to London.
Lopetegui, who narrowly escaped being fired last week, will view this outcome as a potential turning point.
However, the victory was not characterized by skillful or adventurous play.
Bowen’s goal was impressive, yet the match lacked rhythm, and expectations from the West Ham boardroom lean towards Lopetegui’s likely exit by the end of the season.
While defeating Wolves, who now sit second from the bottom, is beneficial, it ultimately means little in the larger context.
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The match, along with the futures of both coaches, seemed far less significant at the start.
Supporters chanted Antonio’s name in the first minute and continued to applaud during the ninth minute, a show of unity reflected by the traveling fans and Lopetegui.
West Ham stars pay tribute to Antonio with special shirts after friend’s tragic accident
The heightened emotions somewhat subdued the frustrations of West Ham fans, who chose to support the team rather than vent anger at Lopetegui or the ownership; the latter had almost dismissed the Spaniard just a week earlier.
It took twenty minutes for the teams to truly settle in, shifting the focus back to the match and its importance.
Joao Gomes found space at the edge of West Ham’s area, but his shot went directly at goalkeeper Lukasz Fabianski.
Neither side managed to take control, depending on a series of fortunate bounces to create opportunities.
Bowen darted behind and challenged Sam Johnstone with a deflected effort, only to feel the growing frustration of the London Stadium crowd.
Wolves fans taunted former manager Lopetegui, who had successfully kept them in the top flight before departing shortly before the season commenced, and some West Ham fans chimed in.
The Wolves’ performance seems heavily reliant on Matheus Cunha’s form each week.
He sent a low shot toward the West Ham goal that had Fabianski reaching but not truly threatened.
The contest slowly devolved into a tug of war, exposing weaknesses in both teams, confirming why both O’Neil and Lopetegui may soon find their positions under threat.
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Both defenses were vulnerable, yet neither attacking force could capitalize effectively.
Carlos Soler and Gomes squandered clear chances, with the Wolves forward missing a close-range opportunity.
The home team had a chance to generate momentum but could only manage a shot from Konstantinos Mavropanos that sailed over the bar.
No player appeared confident on the ball or exhibited conviction in their play.
The visitors neglected to mark Soucek, who was the most significant threat at set pieces, as he was left completely unattended at the far post.
He awaited Bowen’s corner, met it with his head, directing it back across goal, and watched it loop into the far bottom corner.
Mohammed Kudus also found the net, but the goal was disallowed for offside—one of two goals ruled out that night.
O’Neil reacted by introducing Goncalo Guedes and Jean-Ricner Bellegarde to salvage the match.
The former injected vitality into the game, earning a penalty claim that went unheeded and later assisting in the equalizer.
Guedes released Ait-Nouri down the left side, whose precise cross reached Doherty at the penalty spot, allowing for a sliding finish.
O’Neil barely celebrated, instead directing his frustration at referee John Brooks for not awarding the penalty.
However, his moment of relief was fleeting.
After sending a deep free kick into the Wolves’ box, where they struggled to clear, Bowen drifted to the edge of the area, cut inside past Guedes, and found the far corner.
The England international raised Antonio’s shirt high, a poignant reminder that some things matter more than which manager departs with a grin.
