Ward-Prowse nets direct corner to sink Wolves

A goal directly from a corner from James Ward-Prowse earned West Ham a 2-1 win at Wolves on Saturday, as the Hammers came from a goal behind to bag all three points. 

Gary O'Neil's hosts were the brighter side in the first half with flying wide man Rayan Ait-Nouri causing the Hammers a host of problems. 

The breakthrough when it arrived came courtesy of a penalty awarded after the impressive Ait-Nouri was deemed to have been fouled by the visitors' Emerson Palmieri after a driving run.  

Pablo Sarabia assumed spot-kick responsibilities for Wolves and the Spaniard sent an accurate effort into the bottom corner, which kissed the post on its way into the net. 

Half-time: Wolves 1-0 West Ham

David Moyes must have been a worried man after his side's lacklustre showing in the first half, but the Hammers have a certain resilience under the Scot and they improved after the break with the introduction of Michail Antonio.

Sub Antonio made a positive impact and improved West Ham's attacking options and after 70 minutes the Londoners were level. 

The visitors' equaliser was another penalty - and Wolves were definitely guilty of shooting themselves in the foot: a loose exchange of passes gifting the ball to Emerson, whose cross was handled by Max Kilman in the area. 

Lucas Paqueta strode confidently forward to convert from 12 yards and game was all square. 

The game hung in the balance and quality delivery was perhaps the most likely source of a deciding goal - and West Ham midfielder Ward-Prowse duly obliged. 

The former Southampton man has forged a fine reputation for his dead-ball prowess and he completed a fine turnaround for the Hammers in the 84th minutes when his devilish corner evaded everybody to nestle in the back of the net. 

Wolves thought they had snatched a late, late equaliser in the 9th minute of added time, but Kilman's goal was ruled out for a marginal offside call that left the home side furious, as well as empty-handed. 

Victory drew West Ham level on points with sixth-placed Manchester United, who entertain Liverpool tomorrow. Wolves, meanwhile, finished the day in 11th - the Midlanders left to rue three points dropped.