Strand Larsen hits winner for Wolves | OneFootball

Jorgen Strand Larsen extended his impressive run to three goals in two matches as Wolverhampton Wanderers triumphed over West Ham United to pull further away from the relegation zone.

The Norway forward missed the international break due to a fractured hand, but marked his return by scoring his 10th Premier League goal of the season.

With Wolves' star player Matheus Cunha still serving a suspension, the 25-year-old Strand Larsen capitalized in the 21st minute, finishing just inside the penalty box after a dazzling run from Joao Gomes. The goal was slightly aided by a deflection off West Ham’s former Wolves defender Max Kilman.

Wolves nearly doubled their advantage five minutes later following another surge from Gomes and a run from Strand Larsen, but Marshall Munetsi’s rushed shot struck the crossbar.

West Ham struggled to find rhythm in the opening half, though Evan Ferguson - making his first start since his January loan move from Brighton - should have converted Jarrod Bowen's pass at the far post in the 13th minute.

Manager Graham Potter made three substitutions at the break, introducing Carlos Soler, Niclas Fullkrug, and Edson Alvarez, which immediately boosted the visitors' offensive threat.

Fullkrug, returning from a hamstring injury that had sidelined him since early January, almost made an immediate impact but mishit his finish after finding himself behind the Wolves defense.

West Ham nearly equalised when Fullkrug's header hit the bar, though the offside flag would have ruled it out anyway.

A fourth home victory of the season lift Wolves 12 points clear of the relegation zone, though they remain in 17th place, still five points behind West Ham.