Wolverhampton Wanderers

Matt Jones
BBC Sport journalist

Wolverhampton Wanderers will look to continue their mini-revival in the Premier League against Everton at Hill Dickinson Stadium on Wednesday night.

It took them 20 games, but Wolves won their first top-flight fixture of the season against West Ham on Saturday. It doubled their points tally to six, although Rob Edwards' side are still 12 points adrift of safety.

In Everton, they face an inconsistent opponent. After a depleted squad won 2-0 at Nottingham Forest, the team limped to a 4-2 defeat at home to Brentford on Sunday. The loss left Everton down in 12th place, although a win here could propel them back into touching distance of the European qualification places.

After all, only three points separate the Toffees and Chelsea in fifth position.

Grealish's welcome return

Manager David Moyes will again have to make do without a number of key players because of injuries and the Africa Cup of Nations, though Jack Grealish returned to the starting XI against Brentford after suffering with a virus over new year.

While Everton lacked cohesion in defence, the on-loan Manchester City winger showed off some of his trademark verve in attack.

The 30-year-old registered four assists in his first two starts for Everton but had to wait until last Sunday to register his fifth and sixth in the Premier League. Even with that drought, only Bruno Fernandes and Rayan Cherki (both seven) have more this term.

With no Illiman Ndiaye, Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall or Charly Alcaraz, it would be a huge boost to Moyes if his marquee loan signing added some productivity to his panache again in 2026.

Everton will need goals if they continue to defend as they have done in recent home games. It took four matches before a team got the better of them at Hill Dickinson Stadium. But since Tottenham's 3-0 win on 26 October, the new stadium built behind sturdy dock walls has been less and less secure for its owners.

Newcastle United won 4-1 in November in another alarming defensive display and while there were positives to take from the 3-0 win over Nottingham Forest and 1-0 loss to Arsenal in December, the way in which Everton were given the runaround by Igor Thiago on Sunday was a worry.

The swathes of empty blue seats on show before the hour-mark as supporters streamed out spoke volumes.

With Jarrad Branthwaite and Seamus Coleman still sidelined, Moyes is limited in how he can adjust a creaking backline. At Forest, the Blues kept a clean sheet with Jake O'Brien and James Tarkowski at the heart of defence; Michael Keane's return and O'Brien's redeployment at right-back was clearly destabilising against Brentford.

But right-back alternatives are limited. Nathan Patterson made his only start of the season at Forest, while James Garner has become too important to be moved from midfield, having played in both full-back positions this season too.

Lost cause for improving Wolves?

After gallant 2-1 losses to both Arsenal and Liverpool on the road, Wolves grabbed a deserved point at Manchester United before the turn of the year. They then dispatched West Ham with a blistering first-half performance on Saturday, inspired by 18-year-old forward Mateus Mane.

Even with their two recent positive results, Wolves' total of six points is still the joint lowest of any team at this stage of a Premier League season, level with Sunderland in 2005-06 and Southampton in 2024-25.

They may yet avoid being statistically the worst team in Premier League history but staying up remains an improbable ask. The team with the fewest points at this stage of a Premier League campaign to survive is West Bromwich Albion in 2004-05, and their meagre tally of 11 is still five more than Wolves have accrued.

My pal Ali Bruce-Ball covered Wolves' win against West Ham on Saturday and said Mateus Mane really impressed him.

At last they have a victory under their belts, and their fans have something to smile about too.

Can Rob Edwards' side keep this up and pull off what would be a truly great escape from relegation?

Sorry, Wolves fans, but the answer is no.

Everton boss David Moyes could do with some reinforcements in the January transfer window, but I don't see his side losing two on the spin at home.

The Toffees were well beaten by Brentford on Sunday but this seems like a good opportunity for them to get back on track.

Their strikers Beto and Thierno Barry both scored in the same game against the Bees. Watching them struggle this season, that is unbelievable, really.

Moyes probably thinks that is typical, for them to score when it doesn't really matter, but maybe one of them will net when it does count, here.

Sutton's prediction: 2-1

Read the full predictions and have your say here

Wolves's 25-year-old Norway striker Jorgen Strand Larsen is wanted by Newcastle United and Tottenham. (ChronicleLive) , external

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Nick Mashiter
Football reporter

Image source, Getty Images

Wolves boss Rob Edwards refused to rule out the Premier League strugglers losing some stars this month - but it will only be for the right reasons.

Bottom of the table and considerably adrift of safety, Wolves could see players picked off by rivals during the January transfer window.

Midfielder Joao Gomes has been linked with Crystal Palace while West Ham have backed away from Jorgen Strand Larsen after Wolves asked for £40m.

Wolves need to plan ahead, with relegation to the Championship likely, but departures will only be on their terms.

Edwards, who takes his side to Everton on Wednesday, said: "There will be interest in a number of our players I would have thought, especially with the position we're in and we've got some really good players.

"We're under no pressure to do anything if we don't think it's right for the football club. None of us want to weaken the team in this window or any window going forward. We always want to try to be in a stronger position.

"That's always our aim and as the head coach now, that's what I'm pushing for, that's always what I want.

"We're in a unique position, one not many teams have been in in the Premier League before at this stage of the season.

"We'll always try to make the right decision for the football club going forward but we always want to try to be stronger coming out of every window."

Josh Lobley
BBC Sport journalist

Wolves boss Rob Edwards has been speaking to the media before Wednesday's Premier League game against Everton at Hill Dickinson Stadium (kick-off 19:30 GMT).

Here are the key lines from his news conference:

• He confirmed that Joao Gomes and Hwang Hee-chan, who came off against West Ham, should both be fine to play on Wednesday. None of the injured players who were previously out will return, but Edwards says "people are progressing on time".

• On the importance of getting the first league win of the season last time out against West Ham: "Internally, it's not been the end of the world that we hadn't won. It was a really good day for us and the supporters needed it more than anyone else."

• He stressed the importance of not getting ahead of themselves: "We are under no illusions that after a couple of good results we have cracked it, far from it. This is going to be a very tough game."

• On the improvement of Jhon Arias in recent weeks: "He wants to feel involved and be in the game. If he can be in the game, we will see the best of him. Perhaps being deeper keeps him in the game more."

• Edwards insisted that the club are still working hard to bring in new recruits during this month's transfer window.

Follow all of Tuesday's Premier League news conferences and the rest of the day's football news

Listen to Edwards on BBC Sounds

Nick Mashiter
Football reporter

Image source, Getty Images

There is hope at Molineux for the first time this season.

The second half of the season starts at Everton on Wednesday and there will be a different air to Rob Edwards' pre-match press conference.

It is the first time this season a Wolves manager has held one after a Premier League victory and, after four points from their past two games tripled their season's tally, there is optimism - however brief.

It would be the Premier League's greatest comeback but Wolves would need to win at least half of their remaining 18 games to even stand a chance so the expectation of relegation. externally at least, does not change.

Those outside of Compton had been resigned to relegation and it was all about how and when, not if, Wolves went down.

Edwards alluded to that last month, insisting they could not get relegated with a whimper and at least there is fight after the draw at Manchester United and Saturday's 3-0 win over West Ham.

There was of course spirit in performances at Aston Villa and Arsenal which deserved more than narrow defeats, but Wolves had to back them up with points.

There is still 12 points to make up to 17th-placed Nottingham Forest - and that will be extended if Forest win their crucial basement battle at the Hammers on Tuesday - so no-one expects miracles.

But any signs of recovery were so desperately needed and at Everton on Wednesday Wolves need to prove they can maintain their battle against the odds.

Crystal Palace are prepared to rival West Ham for Wolves forward Jorgen Strand Larsen. (Mail - subscription required), external

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Dazzling Dave
Fan writer

Image source, Getty Images

Almost nine months.

Nine long, soul-destroying months of waiting, hoping, travelling, groaning, and still turning up. And finally... finally Wolverhampton Wanderers remembered how to win a Premier League football match.

I do not care who it was against. I do not care about the table. I do not care how ugly it has been getting here. That feeling at full-time? Pure relief. Pure joy. Absolute bliss.

So what changed?

Firstly, we have seen this coming for a while with good performances at Old Trafford and Anfield. But for me, it started with intent. We played with a positive, attacking mindset, not the cautious, scared version we have watched too often. There was movement ahead of the ball, runners taking risks and a sense that we were trying to win rather than trying not to lose.

Mateus Mane has injected something we've been crying out for: energy and directness. In truth, he felt like the spark that lit the flame. His first touch is sharp, and you could see West Ham's defenders struggle to cope as he slipped past them.

He is brilliant at finding space, constantly moving even when he does not have the ball. His football intelligence is clear but more than anything he shows no fear. That attitude spreads. It felt like his tempo rubbed off on everyone around him.

Credit is also due to Hwang Hee-chan and Jhon Arias, because both have had plenty of criticism thrown their way. Rob Edwards tweaked the system and, crucially, pushed them into more central roles. It suited both.

Arias, as part of a midfield three, looked like a different player, more involved, more assured, and more able to affect the game. That switch started at Manchester United and it carried forward here.

Meanwhile Hwang played higher and narrower, ran at defenders, helped create a goal and then kept his nerve from the spot.

Maybe Edwards has landed on a shape that actually works for this squad. The worry is whether we can take it into the next game at Everton. Joao Gomes and Hwang both look like injury doubts and Wolves might be forced to break up a winning combination before it has had a chance to grow.

One last thing: the humour. Both sets of fans traded chants of gallows humour for most of the match and after nine months, we deserved a laugh - and we definitely deserved a win.

Find more from Dazzling Dave at Always Wolves, external

We asked for your thoughts after Saturday's Premier League game between Wolves and West Ham.

Here are some of your comments:

Wolves fans

Mike: The great escape is on! A good performance all round, albeit against a poor West Ham team. They dominated possession but did nothing with it - we scored three goals and their keeper made three great saves. Sa had nothing to do but deal with crosses. Excellent three points now back it up with a win at Everton in midweek.

Rhys: A shocking performance by West Ham but, saying that, our first half was simply stunning. I think just about every Wolves fan now loves Mane after his ridiculous performance, ripping away the West Ham defence. The Hammers got hammered!

Robert: Performances have been improved in recent games. This is well overdue, and while we won't avoid relegation, maybe we have found some pride.

West Ham fans

Phillip: I can forgive anything except not trying hard enough. There are a lot of players in the group who clearly have no self-respect. At least look as though you care! I have followed West Ham since 1967 and have never seen such low commitment to the cause. They deserve to be relegated and I think it is almost a certainty now. Sullivan deserves no better.

Bullet: The two worst centre-backs in the history of the club, a midfield that prefers to pass the ball backwards and a non-existent forward line. That is West Ham. It is painful to watch.

Barry: Gutless display. This should have been a cup final and Wolves clearly treated it like that. We came out as if we were in a training game. No leaders on the pitch and no leadership from the sidelines. We are completely rudderless. Sullivan and Brady have ruined our club. We will be in the Championship for some years.

Crystal Palace have several January targets lined up, including Wolves midfielder Joao Gomes. (Mail+ - subscription required), external

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Pundits Alan Shearer and Jermain Defo join host Mark Chapman to bring you the action and talking points from Saturday's Premier League fixtures.

Watch on BBC iPlayer here

And listen back to full match commentaries on BBC Sounds:

• Brighton 2-0 Burnley

• Wolves 3-0 West Ham

• Bournemouth 2-3 Arsenal

Adwaidh Rajan
BBC Sport journalist

The 3-0 win against West Ham on Saturday was more than just three points for Wolves - it was a statement from Rob Edwards' side that they still have some fight left in their battle to avoid relegation.

Wolves are, by a distance, the side to have scored the least number of goals in the Premier League this season while they have also conceded 40 goals in 20 games of the campaign.

But at Molineux on Saturday, Edwards' men delivered their most ruthless attacking display of the season and also came away with their first clean sheet.

From the outset, they played with intent, registering five shots on target and converting three of them in a first-half blitz that stunned Nuno Espirito Santo's West Ham.

Nuno's Hammers were an improved side after the restart, but Wolves still held on - limiting the visitors to minimal openings.

But Edwards will know he has work cut out to keep the side in the Premier League.

The bottom side are still six points behind 19th-placed Burnley and 12 adrift of 17th-placed Nottingham Forest.

But ending their 23-game winless run in the English top flight will provide Wolves with some much-needed confidence with a game against Everton to come on Wednesday.

Rob Edwards spoke to BBC Match of the Day after Wolves' victory against West Ham: "We have been improving and progressing and you saw that today. It is another step in the right direction, that is all it was and it is nice it has culminated in a win.

"It was a complete performance. I feel we are progressing and building in the right way. We have had a good week with four points.

"The lads have been all in. Big credit to them and huge credit for the supporters, that was for them today.

"Football is always stressful and with 30 seconds to go I started allowing myself the chance to enjoy it."

On Mateus Mane: "It has given everyone a lift, you can hear the fans singing his name. We have to make sure we look after him. He has had a really impressive couple of weeks and it was a fantastic goal today. He has a great attitude. He will take risks at the right time but at the same time he is all about the team. He has been really impressive so far."

Mane spoke to Sky Sports: "When I hear the fans sing my name it makes me want to do more for them.

"It's our first win but we're not done yet, we want to get higher and higher. I've had friends and family watching here today which felt amazing."

Did you know?

• Aged 18 years and 109 days, Mateus Mane became Wolves' youngest ever goalscorer in a Premier League match.

Listen to BBC Radio WM's interviews with Edwards and Mane here

Whether you were at the game or following from elsewhere, we want to know what you learned.

Have your say on Wolves' performance

What did you make of West Ham's display?

Come back on Monday for a selection of your replies

There's just one change for Wolves as Santiago Bueno returns, Matt Doherty makes way.

Wolves XI: Sa, H Bueno, S Bueno, J Gomes, Arias, Hwang, Arokodare, Mosquera, Mane, Krejci, Tchatchoua.

Subs: Johnstone, Doherty, Wolfe, Andre, Strand Larsen, Chirewa, Hoever, Lopez, Gonzalez.

There's two changes for West Ham as injured duo Lucas Paquetá and Jean-Clair Todibo are replaced by Crysencio Summerville and Dinos Mavropanos.

West Ham XI: Areola, Walker-Peters, Mavropanos, Kilman, Scarles, Potts, Magassa, Fernandes, Bowen, Summerville, Wilson

Subs: Hermansen, Igor, Golambeckis, Mayers, Rodríguez, Kanté, Earthy, Souček, Pablo

There are four games in the Premier League on Saturday and BBC Sport will bring you every moment.

• Aston Villa v Nottingham Forest (12:30)

• Brighton v Burnley - BBC Radio 5 Sports Extra

• Wolves v West Ham - BBC Radio 5 Live

• Bournemouth v Arsenal (17:30) - BBC Radio 5 Live

Kick-off times 15:00 GMT unless stated

Follow all of the action and reaction here

You can also listen to today's 5 Live Premier League commentaries on most smart speakers. Just say "ask BBC Sounds to play Brighton v Burnley" or "ask BBC Sounds to play Bournemouth v Arsenal", for instance.

Find out more about how to listen to Premier League football on BBC Sounds

Wolves' performance in their draw with Manchester United underlined what I already thought.

Yes, they have lost a couple of key players in Matheus Cunha and Rayan Ait-Nouri, but they have still got enough in their squad to have done far better than they have this season.

This is a massive week for West Ham, with their relegation rivals Nottingham Forest up next after this game.

The Hammers are looking pretty desperate, but their recent away record actually is not too bad. They were well beaten at Manchester City but, before then, they drew three in a row at Bournemouth, Manchester United and Brighton.

They probably feel under less pressure when they are on the road but I am still reluctant to back them to win anywhere at the moment.

I feel the same way about Wolves, who have now gone half the season without a victory. Let's call this one a draw.

Sutton's prediction: 1-1

Read the full predictions and have your say here

Matthew Hobbs
BBC Sport journalist

Wolves will attempt to win for the first time in the Premier League this season against a West Ham United side who have not won away from home since August.

BBC Sport examines some of the key themes going into Saturday's meeting at Molineux.

Can Wolves end winless run?

Wolves begin the new year having earned their first point since 5 October at Old Trafford on Tuesday to end a wretched run of 11 defeats, although the Premier League's bottom side remain in dire trouble with half of the campaign remaining.

Rob Edwards said his players deserved more following the 1-1 draw and while Wolves' head coach praised a "good performance and progress" after winning the first point of his tenure, drastic improvement in terms of results is needed in short order if the West Midlands side are to mount any kind of realistic challenge at avoiding relegation.

Wolves are only the second side in top-flight history to fail to win any of their opening 19 matches, and the first since Bolton Wanderers more than a century ago.

Wanderers have drawn their opening league game in three of the past five calendar years, but Edwards' men simply must start taking three points as soon as possible and a home match against a West Ham side beset by struggles of their own is surely a must-win fixture.

Wolves started 2025 with a home match against a team managed by Nuno Espirito Santo but on that occasion, they lost 3-0 to Nottingham Forest.

Such a result against a relegation rival would feel almost terminal this time round, particularly against a visiting side who have failed to win any of their past eight league fixtures – their longest run without victory in the competition for nearly 15 years.

West Ham's struggles under Nuno

West Ham's struggles are longstanding, although their prevailing issue so far this season has been an inability to keep clean sheets. The Hammers have done so on just one occasion in 2025-26 - against Forest on 31 August when Nuno was the opposing manager.

That 3-0 triumph at the City Ground was also the only time this season that West Ham have gone on to win a Premier League match in which they have scored the opening goal (D3, L2) and Nuno's defensive approach when in a winning position has regularly attracted the ire of supporters in this campaign – a tendency compounded by a drop-off in most metrics since the former Wolves boss replaced Graham Potter in September.

West Ham's switch to a counter-attacking approach is yet to pay off, with the Londoners averaging fewer points per game, scoring fewer goals and conceding more on average under Nuno than his predecessor.

West Ham, though, tend to start the calendar year in a positive fashion.

The 4-1 defeat by Manchester City at the beginning of 2025 was their first opening defeat in the past eight calendar years, while the Hammers have not lost their first fixture in consecutive calendar years since 2008.

Josh Lobley
BBC Sport journalist

Wolves boss Rob Edwards has been speaking to the media before Saturday's Premier League game against West Ham at Molineux (kick-off 15:00 GMT).

Here are the key lines from his news conference:

• There are no fresh injuries before Saturday's match and Edwards said he hopes Santiago Bueno can return to the squad.

• Jean-Ricner Bellegarde and Marshall Munetsi are still out but making progress. The latter was on the grass earlier in the week but is yet to return to team training.

• On potential business during this month's transfer window: "There's conversations I'm involved in and there will be conversations I'm not involved in, but when I need to know something I can get involved. There will be a lot of work going on behind the scenes on both incomings and outgoings."

• He is not concerned about speculation regarding players like Jorgen Strand Larsen, who has shown a "brilliant attitude" in training and games.

• When asked how the club will fund any incomings this month: "We might have to [generate funds]. It depends on what we want to try to bring in. January can be quite difficult anyway and we want to bring in the right people, the ones who want to be here and who we feel can affect it. But if we are going to spend it, we might have to generate some of that."

• On the profile of player he wants to bring to Molineux: "It doesn't have to be someone who has played 600 games - it could be someone who is 22 and has played 100 games - but they have really good experience at the level. It is more the person and, of course, they have to be a good player."

• He spoke highly of Mateus Mane, saying that his performances have been strong and he has deserved his minutes. He added that the youngster has an "infectious energy" around the squad and pointed out athleticism as one of his most impressive traits.

Listen to full match commentary on BBC Radio 5 Live and BBC Sounds from 15:00 GMT on Saturday

Follow all of Friday's Premier League news conferences and the rest of the day's football news

Nottingham Forest and Crystal Palace want Wolves forward Jorgen Strand Larsen. (Telegraph - subscription required), external

Want more transfer stories? Read Friday's full gossip column

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Mike Taylor
BBC Radio WM reporter

Image source, Getty Images

From his earliest days as a young player at Aston Villa, Rob Edwards has always been good at finding the right tone in interviews.

He did so again at Old Trafford on Tuesday, looking slightly bashful when being congratulated for his team earning their first point since he took charge, even though they were entirely worthy of it.

"We've got to keep our feet on the ground," he said. "It feels nice that we've taken something from the game, but it is only a point. We've got to remember where we're at as well, so it's progress."

It was indeed progress, a first tangible step towards whatever changed state Wolves are going to be in by next summer.

It did also demonstrate again that a squad being ridiculed for its dismal points total still has a functioning heart. Away fans are rarely fooled, and their full-throated support all evening was a clear contrast to singing laments about old players a few weeks ago.

The two Christmas games at Anfield and Old Trafford have offered the first distinct signs of change under Rob Edwards, and not only in the use of different personnel, with more opportunities for Tolu Arokodare and Mateus Mane.

All over, Wolves were more physical and aggressive. This was most obvious in the performance of Jhon Arias, who appeared to relish filling in for the suspended Andre, crashing around midfield and earning himself room to play.

Edwards hopes his players now understand that they have set themselves a new standard: "I just said [to them] that's what it requires to get a point in the Premier League, not even three, that's the effort required."

This is all fine, and the faithful away support has seen efforts to be proud of, but the performances at home under Edwards so far have been of an entirely different character.

Even if salvation this season is beyond them, there is honour to win back in front of their home fans. On Saturday they face a deeply troubled West Ham at Molineux.

"We've seen four really good performances away from home, against four top teams - the challenge is we've got to perform like that at home," said Edwards. "There's more expectation, the atmosphere is difficult at times but we've got to blank that out and we've got to perform as we have away from home, at home. We've got to."

The home support has made it quite clear in recent weeks that it has heard enough excuses.

Listen to full commentary of Wolves v West Ham at 15:00 GMT on Saturday on BBC Radio WM all frequencies and BBC Sounds

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Nicola Pearson
BBC Sport journalist

A normal Premier League season may run from August to May, but what happens if we stop the table now? What if it was only what happened in 2025 that counted?

With the calendar flicking over to 2026, this is the ideal time to check back on which teams have had an enjoyable 12 months and see who had a year to forget.

The top five is an accurate reflection of this season's top five (although it should be noted not all teams have played the same number of games).

Arsenal have led the way this campaign and, after coming up short last season, they will be striving to go one better to finally secure an elusive first Premier League trophy since 2004.

If looking just at the past 12 months, the title would be theirs, despite a number of draws early in 2025.

Having gone through their worst run of form under Pep Guardiola late in 2024 and early into 2025, alongside their initial poor start to this season, it may be surprising to find Manchester City so close at the top.

But a feature of this City side under Guardiola is their ability to recover from less than impressive starts and go on winning streaks - they are currently on a run of six wins in the league.

Aston Villa fans can look also back fondly on 2025, having experienced the return of Champions League football, secured more European football again this term and found themselves in a battle for the Premier League trophy.

They may have had a slow start this season but their general consistency in 2025 and a club record-equalling run of 11 straight wins in the final weeks catapults them into the top three.

Having won the title with ease last season, Liverpool fans can still revel in that achievement. But a drop-off at the end of 2024-25 and a poor run this time around leaves them fourth for the year.

Meanwhile, Chelsea made progress in 2025 under Enzo Maresca, with Champions League football and two bits of silverware, but a lack of consistency in a young team prevents them ascending higher than fifth.

When looking at the next five, there are perhaps some surprises.

With their FA Cup win, 2025 will go down in Crystal Palace's history, and their Premier League form has not been too shabby either as they compete with the teams that have occupied Champions League spots in recent seasons.

No Thomas Frank, Bryan Mbeumo or Yoane Wissa? No problem for Brentford. They may have had a summer of upheaval but that has not stopped the Bees buzzing as they continue to perform above expectations.

After a few years of struggles on and off the pitch, 2025 seems to be the one Everton fans can finally start to look up rather than down with the new stadium and return of David Moyes bringing much-needed stability.

Newcastle may have had a few ups and downs, but they have come good when needed and hold their own in the top six, while Brighton continue to establish themselves firmly in the top 10.

Find out how the bottom half of the table shapes up on the post below