1. Scamacca off the mark in style
Gianluca Scamacca struck his first Premier League goal for West Ham United when he netted our opener against Wolverhampton Wanderers on Saturday evening.
The No7 had teased a first league goal in east London prior to his memorable opening goal in West Ham's top-flight, having seen an earlier effort dip past the post, before he was also only denied a tap-in by a recovering Max Kilman.
Fresh from a UEFA Nations League start against England in the international break, Scamacca linked the Hammers’ attack with a superb all-round centre-forward's performance throughout his hour of action against Wolves.
And, on his first league start in front of a home crowd, the Italy striker opened his Premier League account with 29 minutes played at London Stadium.
When Jarrod Bowen was crowded out as he drove into the penalty area, the ball broke to Scamacca, who was calmness personified as he controlled and smashed high past José Sá and into the top right-hand corner of the Portuguese goalkeeper's net.
Should we be surprised? Not at all, according to skipper Declan Rice: “Gianluca has probably scored about 20 worldies [in training and matches] since he's been here, and I've just gone: ‘Wow; he can hit a ball.’ He has got one of the best strikes of a ball I have ever seen. It’s crazy.”
One suspects this will not be the last time his captain is left open-mouthed by a cracker from Scamacca!
2. Wolves tamed... again!
There was once a time when Wolves were, alongside Brighton & Hove Albion, one of West Ham United's true bogey sides, but not any more!
West Ham have now tamed Wolves in three of the clubs' last four meetings, and Saturday's win made it back-to-back home wins and clean sheets against the men from Molineux.
The Irons' victory was based on strong and resilient defending from a new-look back four of Thilo Kehrer, Craig Dawson, Kurt Zouma and Aaron Cresswell.
Moved to the same right-back position he filled for Germany against England in the UEFA Nations League last month, Kehrer impressed both offensively and defensively, while the ever-reliable Dawson was a welcome addition as he made his first Premier League start since May.
Also of serious note was the flawless performance of goalkeeper Łukasz Fabiański, whose handling was exemplary throughout and who made two important saves from Daniel Podence and Jonny while the game was still goalless.
3. Bowen back on target
Jarrod Bowen was back to near his best and back among the goals against Wolves.
The No20 was a constant nuisance to the visitors and combined with Scamacca throughout the first half, most notably when the two played a crucial role in the Hammers opener.
Collecting a fine pass from the Italian, Bowen drove into the penalty area and drew three defenders, meaning Scamacca had time and space when the ball broke to him to smash it back with interest into the Wolves net.
Having struck an important penalty at FSCB in the UEFA Europa Conference League last month, Bowen returned to the Premier League goal charts with a trademark finish.
“Scoring the first Premier League goal is a massive weight off the shoulders,” he admitted. “I scored a couple in Europe but the first Premier League goal is the one you want.”
Picked out by a neat flick from Tomáš Souček, Thilo Kehrer drove forward and saw his shot deflect into the path of Bowen. The England forward controlled the ball expertly and nodded it into his path. An instinctive shot followed, with the ball whipped back past a well-beaten José Sá and into the bottom corner.
“It was a typical Jarrod Bowen goal,” enthused David Moyes. “He got it on his left foot and got a shot away. He’s really good at that.”
4. Top work from Tomáš
There was one particlar moment in the first half when Tomáš Souček showed the qualities that have been central to the Hammers' rise over the past few years.
The Czech midfielder was his usual determined self as, roared on by an energised Claret and Blue Army, who were up after Scamacca’s opener, he battled down the right flank.
Perhaps unlucky not to get a foul, despite being repeatedly challenged by his opposite number, the No28 then skipped past a defender along the byline before winning a free-kick in a dangerous position. It was a moment that summed up the attitude of the West Ham No24. He didn’t give up and eventually got his reward, much to the delight of the home fans.
Souček was heavily involved throughout, with his 60 touches second only to midfield partner Declan Rice, and showed his attacking value as he swung over a fine deep cross which Maxwel Cornet volleyed wide, and again when his flick into the path of Thilo Kehrer indirectly led to Jarrod Bowen's match-clinching second goal.
It was a really good performance from Souček, and one that was welcomed by his skipper.
“Tomáš was brilliant,” stated Rice. “He will always give you 100 per cent. He’ll come off the pitch with nothing left. He works his socks off and makes my life easier. That's what we need, a team of eleven players who give their all.”
When it comes to Tomáš Souček, you can always guarantee that!
