MATCH PREVIEW // WEST HAM V WOLVES

By Sam Tonks

At the end of a week where Manuel Pellegrini was victorious for the first time as West Ham boss, beating Wimbledon in the Carabao Cup 3-1, Wolves visit London Stadium on Saturday.

The Chilean will now hope they can take the momentum into winning their first Premier League points of the season.

“I can give you examples where a team from League One has beaten a Premier League team, especially if you’re losing 1-0. But for me that was the most useful part of the game,” said Pellegrini.

“We continued, even though we couldn’t score until the 65th minute. We continued believing, we continued to move the ball and make the space, until finally we scored three goals.”

Now attention will turn back to league action. There were plenty of encouraging signs to take from last week’s defeat to Arsenal and Pellegrini now demands a win in front of the home support this weekend.

“This is our second game at home and we lost the first one, so of course we must win this one,” he said.

“We knew, before the season started, that we would have a tough start, playing two big teams away, so our points would need to come at home. Once, we made a mistake, but now we cannot allow that to be repeated.

“If we had started the season winning the three games, I would feel exactly the same pressure, because of the pressure I put on myself to win points.”

Nuno Espirito Santo’s Wolves are debutants at London Stadium, also searching for a first league win of the season. They cantered to the Championship title and brought in an abundance of talent this summer and the boss has been impressed by them so far.

“Nuno has done very good work in Wolverhampton, not only because of the promotion, but because of the points they won in the Championship, which is a very difficult competition,” said the manager.

“I think the team must play in the way they work every day and Wolverhampton seem to play against every team in the same way. That’s the merit of their manager.

“Every team has money to continue bringing in good players also, and this is why the Premier League is the most equal league in the world, but it’s also the best one.”

As for team news, Marko Arnautovic hobbled off early at The Emirates last week but is back in training and given the all clear by Pellegrini.

“Marko has had a small problem behind his knee in the last game, he wasn’t comfortable but he’s had an examination with the doctor and worked with us this week,” he said.

“There are small things. Marko is strong. He has to challenge every ball. Maybe he’s had some kicks or other things that affect him. But he’s a strong man and he wants to recover as soon as he can, and he did, he has no problems now.”

Aaron Cresswell played a full 90 minutes at Wimbledon on Tuesday after injury, providing competition for Arthur Masuaku’s spot, which the manager enjoys having.

“He is a good player, but Arthur is also doing very well. It’s important to have a good squad, and as the manager I will choose the player who is right.”