Strand Larsen Stuns West Ham With Late Double as Wolves Advance in Carabao Cup

Newcastle target comes off the bench to fire Wolves past the Hammers as pressure mounts on Graham Potter

Jorgen Strand Larsen came off the bench to score twice in the final eight minutes and pile further misery on Graham Potter as Wolves came from behind to beat West Ham 3-2 in the Carabao Cup second round at Molineux.

Wolves Strike Late After Hammers Fightback

The tie had started slowly, with few chances until Tomas Soucek forced a sharp save from Sam Johnstone and Jarrod Bowen saw his effort denied.

Wolves took the lead midway through the first half when Rodrigo Gomes followed up after Hwang Hee-chan’s penalty struck the post. Guido Rodriguez had given away the spot-kick after fouling Jean-Ricner Bellegarde.

West Ham, however, turned the game on its head in the second half. Soucek’s header levelled matters soon after the restart before Lucas Paqueta punished slack defending to convert Bowen’s cross and put the visitors 2-1 up.

But Wolves had the last word. Substitute Strand Larsen — the subject of a rejected £50m bid from Newcastle this week — struck twice in two minutes to seal the hosts’ place in the third round.

Strand Larsen Shows Professionalism Amid Transfer Talk

Wolves boss Vitor Pereira praised the Norwegian forward’s attitude despite ongoing transfer speculation.

“He is a very important player. He wants to play every time, he wants to help the team. Of course I want him to stay,” Pereira said.

With Newcastle circling, Strand Larsen’s performance underlined both his quality and his value to Wolves. His clinical finishing highlighted why the club are reluctant to sell, with Pereira adding that losing him could cost Wolves far more than a transfer fee.

Tension Growing at West Ham

For Graham Potter, the defeat marks a third straight loss to start the season, with 11 goals conceded across all competitions. His record now mirrors that of predecessor Julen Lopetegui, who was dismissed after 22 games.

The mood soured further when Bowen, attempting to applaud the away fans at full-time, was restrained by stewards after appearing to react angrily to something from the crowd. What should have been a gesture of solidarity instead showcased fractures within the club.

With a trip to Nottingham Forest looming, Potter is already under increasing scrutiny to turn results around.

What’s Next?

• Wolves: Host Everton at Molineux on Saturday before visiting Newcastle after the international break.

• West Ham: Travel to Nottingham Forest on Sunday, then face Tottenham in a London derby on 13 September.

Player of the Match

Jorgen Strand Larsen (Wolves, No. 9)
Average rating: 9.11

The Norwegian striker came off the bench to deliver a match-winning brace and send Wolves into the third round.