Liam Keen analysis: In a game of 'firsts', Wolves' win was well deserved

There were 252 days between Wolves' last win in April and Saturday's defeat of the Hammers. Wolves had led just three times in the league this season before this match and failed to win any of them, but on this occasion they were good value for the three points.

Head coach Rob Edwards could easily have brought Andre back into the starting XI following his suspension for the last game at Manchester United, but he stuck with the makeshift midfield of Joao Gomes as the only recognised midfielder and Arias and Mane as number eights ahead of him.

It was an inspired decision that ultimately led Wolves to victory at Molineux and earned the home fans a moment of joy in an otherwise dreadful season.

On making that midfield decision, Edwards said: "I didn't have a great sleep last night, I was thinking about that still today. That was the biggest decision, so it's nice that it was validated.

"It could have gone equally as well anyway, but I just felt the lads that played so well in midfield a few days ago at Old Trafford deserve to go again."

On Arias' deeper role and impressive performances, Edwards added: “His last two performance have been really good in that eight role, a deeper role. 

"He covers the ground really well and obviously has a real calmness in possession with the ball. 

"They went again because they deserved to. The other day was maybe out of necessity, we had to make changes and shuffle the pack a little bit, but today certainly the plan was there and they had the opportunity to go and do it again and back it up, and I'm really pleased they did.”

But in reality, the day was all about 18-year-old Mane.

In his third consecutive start the teenager has gone from strength to strength and it is even more impressive when you consider against Manchester United and West Ham it has arguably with him playing out of position.

In May 2025 a 17-year-old Mane became the youngest ever player to make his Premier League debut for Wolves, taking the record from Anthony Forde who had not long turned 18 when he made his bow against Chelsea in 2011.

Fast forward to January 2026 and Mane has now become Wolves' youngest ever Premier League goalscorer at 18 years and 109 days.

With Wolves already 2-0 up in the 41st minute, Mane intelligently took up a position behind his opponent and as Hugo Bueno's excellent pass reached him, his superb first touch took him away and he cut inside before rifling the ball into the bottom corner from the edge of the box and giving Alphonse Areola no chance.

With a 3-0 lead at half-time, Wolves were untroubled in the second half and eased to a vital victory.

Before that, Mane's turn and midfield run started the phase of play that saw Hwang Hee-chan set up Arias' fourth minute opener, while Mane also won the penalty for Hwang to convert for the second.

The teenager had a hand in all three goals and was the star of the show. It was a truly terrific performance from a player that is earning the trust of his manager and team-mates to light up the top flight.

Wolves were worthy winners against a woeful West Ham side and the Wolves supporters - who were in fine voice at Old Trafford and continued that at Molineux - have now enjoyed two results earning the club four points.

Considering the torrid time they have had to endure, they certainly deserved a moment of joy and they made the most of it on Saturday.

As they have done with previous managers, the South Bank encouraged some fist pumps from Edwards who was reluctant but gave them one, before returning for another before heading down the tunnel.

The head coach said: “I've enjoyed wins a lot more than that, trust me. I was keeping it very low key there today.

“I was well aware that it’s only one win, and it was nice, it was nice for the fans too, to enjoy it as well, and I always go round win, lose or draw, and show my appreciation, but it was nice to be able to actually smile and enjoy that with the fans."

He added: “I'm going to be fairly level for quite a long time, I think we're in no position at the moment to be dancing around.

“The fans wanted one (a fist pump) and they got one for one win.

“It was nice that they can enjoy it and they can sing and enjoy the night and the weekend. It's been tough for them, but I hope they understand as well why I'm not going to be singing from the rooftops either.”

Some may see it as Edwards being somewhat of a killjoy, but his approach makes a lot of sense. Wolves have still been awful this season and although one win is a start, they still have a long way to go.