Safety line is in sight as Wolves nail points

JORGEN Strand Larsen’s first-half strike moved Wolves 12 points clear of the Premier League relegation zone with a 1-0 home victory over West Ham.

- SUNNY BADWAL

Vitor Pereira’s side were five points adrift of safety when he replaced Gary O’Neil but successive league wins for the third time this season eased the Molineux club closer towards safety.

Evan Ferguson missed a glorious opportunity to give West Ham the lead on his first start for the club and the Hammers were punished by Larsen, who put Wolves in front with his tenth goal of the campaign.

Marshall Munetsi fired against the upright, which denied Wolves a second while they were on top, and West Ham boss Graham Potter was forced to ring the changes with a triple substitution at the break.

Larsen failed to bury a second and Wolves were almost left to rue their missed chances when substitute Niclas Fullkrug headed onto the crossbar before he squandered a one-on-one in the last minute as the hosts were able to hang on for their first home win in two months.

The Hammers were almost gifted a chance to take the lead when Toti Gomes lost possession to Jarrod Bowen and the England winger broke and squared for Ferguson but he was unable to sort his feet out and direct his effort on target.