At last, Wolverhampton Wanderers have a win. On a cold afternoon at Molineux, Wolves ripped up the script of a nightmare season, beating West Ham United 3-0 and ending a 19-match wait for a Premier League victory. It was fast, fierce, and loud — the kind of performance that can flip a season’s mood in an instant.

This was not just three points. It was the release of weeks of frustration, a long-awaited jolt of belief in a survival fight that had looked bleak. With kickoff around 3pm UK time, the home crowd got what they had begged for: urgency, goals, and a clean, commanding win to start 2026.

Wolves vs West Ham: A blistering start at Molineux

Wolves came out flying and hit West Ham early. Jhon Arias put the hosts ahead in the fourth minute, finishing from the center of the box to send Molineux bouncing. In a game that demanded nerve, the early breakthrough was gold.

Only two minutes into the match, Hwang Hee-chan had already been in the thick of it with a foul, a sign of the edge and intensity Wolves brought from the first whistle. Soon after, Hwang stepped up for a pressure penalty to make it 2-0. The broadcast call captured the moment: “The Molineux erupts as Wolves take a 2-0 lead over West Ham thanks to Hee-chan Hwang’s well-taken penalty.”

The description of the spot-kick was spot on too: “It’s a pressure penalty and Hwang… has handled it well… knocking it down the middle… Areola goes to his right. That ball ends up in the back of the net. It’s a brilliant start for Wolves.” Another line summed up the mood: “Two goals down, but credit to Hwang. The composure and the bravery.”

“This is the day the season finally started for Wolves.”

The cushion of a second goal changed everything. The home side played with freedom, protected their box, and kept calm when it mattered. The third goal, after the break, sealed it and turned a nervous afternoon into a celebratory one. The scoreboard said 3-0; the feeling said hope.

Ending a brutal run: 19 games, no wins — now, liftoff

Before kickoff, the numbers were stark: 0-3-16 across 19 matches, only 3 points on the board, and a goal difference of -29. Bottom of the table, battered by results, Wolves had been living off small positives — like a recent draw against Manchester United — rather than wins.

That is what makes this result so big. It was the first victory at the 20th attempt, the kind of moment that can reset a dressing room. The players had a plan, executed it with speed, and were rewarded. This did not feel like a smash-and-grab; it felt like a team finally playing with clear purpose.

“Hwang’s courage from the spot felt like a captain’s moment.”

Relegation picture: Wolves spark, West Ham slide

Context matters. Wolves started the day bottom with three points from 19 games; West Ham were only a few rungs higher with 14 points, a record of 3-5-11, and a goal difference of -17. Up top, leaders Arsenal sat on 45 points — a reminder of the gulf this season has shown.

This result changes the tone at the bottom. Wolves get a lifeline. They prove to themselves and to their fans that they can score early, hold shape, and finish the job. For West Ham, the warning lights flash brighter. The Hammers did not find answers once they fell behind, and that has been a worrying theme.

West Ham’s worries grow despite new signing talk

West Ham have been trying to freshen their attack, with a recent move for Brazilian forward Pablo Felipe noted in the buildup. But at Molineux, the issues ran deeper than a single signing. The visitors struggled to handle Wolves’ tempo, conceded early, and were undone by a clinical penalty that left goalkeeper Alphonse Areola guessing the wrong way.

With a record of 3-5-11 after 19 games, West Ham remain close to the drop zone and in need of a clear plan. The next step is blunt: tighten up, compete in the duels, and give their forward line better service. The clean-sheet loss here says they have work to do at both ends.

“West Ham look lost — where’s the plan when they go behind?”

How Wolves found belief: pace, bravery, and the crowd

The game plan looked simple and smart. Start fast. Play forward with purpose. Trust the front line to attack space. Arias’ early goal changed the body language of the entire team. Hwang’s penalty, taken with nerve down the middle, felt like a leader’s act — calm under pressure, brave in the moment.

Molineux played its part too. When the second goal went in, the stadium lifted. The players responded by managing the game, staying switched on, and not giving West Ham an easy route back. For a side that had known only pain this season, that control matters as much as the goals.

Key stats and moments

• Final score: Wolves 3-0 West Ham at Molineux.
• Wolves’ first Premier League win of 2025/26 after 19 winless matches.
• Scorers: Jhon Arias (4′). Hwang Hee-chan (pen) for 2-0; third goal sealed the 3-0 final.
• Early flashpoint: Hwang committed a foul at 2′, reflecting Wolves’ edge from the start.
• Table context pre-match: Wolves bottom on 3 points (0-3-16, -29 GD); West Ham on 14 points (3-5-11, -17 GD); Arsenal leading on 45 points.

What it means and what comes next

This win does not solve everything — one result never does. But it gives Wolves the one thing they have been missing: proof. Proof that they can score first, defend a lead, and go home smiling. Proof that the fight is still on.

For West Ham, the message is just as clear. They need sharper starts and more conviction after setbacks. New signings can help, but the response on the pitch must be quicker and stronger when they concede early.

As 2026 begins, this felt like a new beginning for Wolves. Three goals, a clean performance, and the roar of Molineux back in full voice. Sometimes a season flips on one afternoon. Wolves will hope this was theirs.